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Ar WJWC Condemns Politically Motivated Sentencing of Tunisian Foreign Minister
Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has condemned the Tunisian Primary Court’s sentencing in absentia of former Foreign Minister and Ennahda Movement leader Dr. Rafiq Abdel Salam to 13 years in prison on terrorism-related charges, calling it a politically motivated decision aimed at silencing dissent.
The organization emphasized that Tunisia, once regarded as a beacon of press freedom in the region, is now experiencing a severe decline in civil liberties under President Kais Saied’s administration. Since the declaration of exceptional measures in 2021, opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders have increasingly faced arbitrary legal actions that threaten fundamental freedoms.
WJWC warned that the ruling reflects a broader campaign of judicial repression and urged Tunisian authorities to uphold fair trial standards and respect international human rights obligations. The organization strongly criticized the judiciary's role in suppressing political opposition and called for an immediate end to selective prosecutions.
The group further called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene and pressure Tunisian authorities to halt politically motivated trials. Judicial independence must be reinforced to protect fundamental rights and ensure a free and fair legal system.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom and human rights, WJWC pledged to continue monitoring and documenting violations against journalists and political activists. The organization vowed to amplify their voices on international platforms and advocate for greater protections for freedom of expression in Tunisia.
WJWC concluded by warning that Tunisia’s backsliding into authoritarian practices threatens its democratic gains and must be met with strong opposition from the global community to safeguard justice and human rights.
