Public Statement
365 Days of Repression and Resilience: Saadia Mosbah Pays the Price for Challenging a System That Criminalizes Activism
Today marks one full year since the arbitrary arrest of Saadia Mosbah, President of the Mnemty Association, on May 7, 2024. This arrest was followed by a series of measures, most notably the freezing of the association’s activities—a move devoid of any legal basis or factual justification, revealing a deliberate intent to target those who stand for justice, humanity, and the fight against all forms of discrimination and racism.
While Mnemty’s members are acutely aware that this arrest is not merely an attack on one individual but a strike against every free, feminist, and human rights voice advocating for an equal, just, and discrimination-free Tunisia, the association has adhered to legal procedures and refrained from engaging in media polemics out of respect for the judicial process. However, the deliberate delays and obstructions in this case cannot be construed as legitimate. Instead, they confirm that this is not about legal or judicial proceedings but a punitive system that disregards the fundamental right to a fair trial—including for Saadia Mosbah herself.
We emphasize that this is not a “financial case” but a confrontation with a flawed justice system, within which we strive to uphold freedom and the right to defend rights and liberties. All accusations against the association and its president stem from false information circulated on social media without evidence, coinciding with systematic smear campaigns and incitement against organizations defending human dignity and the right to protection from humiliation and targeting. We reiterate that we have openly and steadfastly confronted all purveyors of hatred and violence, regardless of their affiliations, and we affirm that we will never shy away from our positions or normalize policies rooted in demonization and hate-mongering.
Despite Mnemty’s full transparency and cooperation with the relevant authorities—submitting all required moral and financial reports as stipulated by law—independent audits have confirmed that the association’s budget was minimal compared to the scale of its human rights and humanitarian work over more than a decade. Yet, a detention order was issued against Saadia Mosbah in the absence of any evidence, in blatant violation of the presumption of innocence, and as a direct attack on a human rights defender who has dedicated her life to justice, a pluralistic Tunisia, and an open society.
Therefore, Mnemty Association declares the following:
- Our firm rejection of Saadia Mosbah’s continued detention without a fair trial.
- Our condemnation of the unjustified extension of pretrial detention and the deliberate delays in concluding the investigation, despite the completion of forensic examinations.
- Our strong denunciation of the inhumane detention conditions and systematic harassment she faces.
- Our outrage at the orchestrated smear campaigns against her and the association, propagated by certain media outlets and disinformation platforms.
- Our demand for Saadia Mosbah’s immediate and unconditional release, and for her case to be resolved urgently and justly, free from political interference or pressure.
Our message is clear and non-negotiable:
We will not remain silent as human rights activism is criminalized.
We will not compromise on dignity and freedom.
We will not abandon Saadia Mosbah—or any free voice.
For a free, just, and non-racist Tunisia.
