Freedom Triumphs Despite Unjust Conviction

The Campaign Against the Criminalization of Civil Action expresses its profound satisfaction at the release of Sharifa Riahi, Mohamed Joou, Ayad Bousalmi, Iman Al-Wardani, and Mohamed Iqbal Khaled in what became known as the “Land of Asylum Tunisia” case. This comes despite the ruling including an unjust conviction for their humanitarian activities within the context of their civil work. These activities were nothing more than the embodiment of Tunisia’s legal, constitutional, and international obligations toward migrants, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While we share the joy of the released individuals’ families at this long-awaited moment, we remain fully aware of the immense suffering these families have endured during more than 600 days of arbitrary detention. We recognize the harsh effects this has had on their physical and psychological well-being, in flagrant violation of the most basic guarantees of a fair trial and the right to liberty.

May their families, along with us and all of Tunisia, take pride in what Sharifa Riahi, Iman Al-Wardani, Mohamed Joou, Ayad Bousalmi and Mohamed Iqbal Khaled have accomplished.

We are proud of their victory for the values of solidarity and humanity, their steadfastness in the face of injustice, and the sacrifices they made to illuminate one of the darkest periods—an era dominated by racist and hateful rhetoric.

We hope that joy will soon return to the homes of all oppressed families. We affirm that our struggle will continue unabated until all victims of policies criminalizing civil action, and all those unjustly deprived of their freedom, are released.

Campaign Against the Criminalization of Civil Action