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The continued detention of four Tunisian activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla — Nabil Chennoufi, Ghassan Henchiri, Ghassan Boughediri, and Wael Nawar — for more than five months raises concerns regarding their liberty, due process, and right to a fair and independent trial.
Unless the authorities establish a lawful and evidence-based basis for their continued detention, they should be released. The case also warrants scrutiny in the broader context of restrictions on civic, political, and media freedoms in Tunisia.
In March 2026, Tunisian judicial authorities ordered the detention of seven members of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s steering committee over allegations concerning money laundering and the management of donations. Three were subsequently released, while the four named activists remained detained at Mornaguia Prison.
Their families have stated that the prolonged detention has adversely affected their physical and psychological well-being and have called for their release and the withdrawal of the charges.
The activists participated in civil and humanitarian activities associated with supporting Palestinians and seeking to challenge restrictions affecting Gaza. Their detention comes amid broader concerns over arrests and prosecutions involving opposition figures, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, activists, and civil society actors since July 2021.
President Kais Saied has repeatedly expressed support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to normalization with Israel.
Institutional Position
Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association are fundamental to civic participation. Criminal proceedings against persons engaged in peaceful civil or humanitarian activity must be based on clear law and evidence of specific criminal conduct and must not be used to penalize protected expression or association.
The continued detention of the four activists requires scrutiny of the legal and evidentiary grounds relied upon by the authorities. Pretrial detention must not become punishment before trial. It should be based on lawful and individualized grounds, remain subject to effective judicial review, and satisfy the requirements of necessity and proportionality.
The allegations concerning money laundering and donation management must be examined through fair judicial procedures. Their seriousness does not diminish the presumption of innocence or the defendants’ right to challenge the evidence against them. Judges and prosecutors must also be able to perform their functions independently and without improper interference or pressure.
Political support for the Palestinian cause cannot substitute for protecting the rights of citizens who express that support through peaceful civic and humanitarian activity. The credibility of such commitments is measured by whether peaceful expression, association, and solidarity are protected in practice.
Applicable Legal Framework
Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects liberty and security of person and prohibits arbitrary detention. Article 14 guarantees a fair hearing before a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal and protects the presumption of innocence and defence rights. Articles 19, 21, and 22 protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, subject to lawful, necessary, and proportionate restrictions. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides corresponding protections, while the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary require judicial functions to be exercised free from improper interference.
Demands
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Demand |
Relevant International Human Rights Standard |
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Tunisian judicial authorities: Release the four activists unless individualized, lawful, and evidence-based grounds establish that continued detention is necessary and proportionate. |
Liberty and security; protection against arbitrary detention — ICCPR Article 9. |
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Tunisian judicial authorities: Ensure that the proceedings are based on clear law and evidence of specific criminal conduct and guarantee a fair trial, full defence rights, and the presumption of innocence. |
Fair trial and due process — ICCPR Article 14. |
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Tunisian authorities: Ensure that criminal proceedings do not unlawfully restrict peaceful expression, assembly, association, or civic solidarity, including activities supporting Palestinians. |
Freedom of expression, assembly, and association — ICCPR Articles 19, 21, and 22. |
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Tunisian authorities: Guarantee judicial independence and protect judges and prosecutors from political or other improper interference or pressure. |
Judicial independence — ICCPR Article 14(1); UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. |
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UN human rights mechanisms and relevant international partners: Continue monitoring restrictions on civic and political freedoms in Tunisia and engage the authorities on compliance with international human rights obligations. |
International human rights monitoring and cooperation — ICCPR; African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. |
The rule of law requires that detention and prosecution be governed by law, evidence, independent judicial review, and full due-process guarantees. Protecting these safeguards is essential to preserving civic space and ensuring that peaceful participation in public life does not become a basis for arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
Women Journalists Without Chains
Geneva, Switzerland — August 28, 2026
