Solidarity is Not a Crime 

The undersigned associations and organizations express their unconditional solidarity with the Tunisian Refugee Council and the civil activists being prosecuted in this case, whose first hearing will take place on October 16, 2025, before the Court of First Instance in Tunis, on the grounds of their humanitarian and solidarity work with refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia. 

Since May 2024, a campaign of arrests has targeted activists from associations and humanitarian organizations, in a context aimed at shrinking civic space and criminalizing solidarity. Among those prosecuted are: Mustapha Jamali and Abdelrazak Al-Karimi from the Tunisian Refugee Council; Sharifa Al-Riahi, Ayad Bousalmi, and Mohamed Jouo from the Land of Asylum Association; Saadia Masbah from the Manamati Association; Abdullah Al-Said from the Children of the Moon Association; and Salwa Ghraisa from the Activating the Right to Difference Association. 

Mustapha Jamali, President of the Tunisian Refugee Council, and Abdelrazak Al-Karimi, Project Manager, have been suspended since May 2024 and charged with forming a conspiracy and aiding and abetting the illegal entry and harboring of persons, under Law No. 6 of 2004 amending Law No. 40 of 1975. This legislation—introduced under European pressure on Tunisia to criminalize irregular migration and assistance to migrants—directly criminalizes humanitarian work, in clear violation of Tunisia’s international and constitutional obligations in the field of human rights and refugee protection. 

Considering the provision of shelter and assistance to refugees fleeing war and conflict as a crime contradicts the Tunisian State’s official narrative on the humane treatment of migrants, reiterated in its official statements affirming its commitment to the universal principles of refugee protection, its adherence to international treaties and conventions, and its commitment to ensuring human dignity. Tunisia also bears international and regional obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU Convention, and other international instruments that require it to respect and protect the rights of refugees and to guarantee the right to humanitarian work. 

The undersigned associations and organizations: 

• Affirm their full support for all detained activists and civil society organizations facing persecution and criminalization, and demand their immediate release. 

• Reiterate that protecting refugees and migrants is a humanitarian duty that must never be criminalized. 

• Call on the Tunisian authorities to honor their international commitments and to ensure a safe and enabling environment for humanitarian and civil society work. 

They also call for expressions of solidarity with the Tunisian Refugee Council and all those detained for their civic engagement, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m., in front of the Court of First Instance in Tunis. 

Our commitment to solidarity with all victims of injustice, and to the defense of human dignity and universal values, remains unwavering and indivisible in the face of all forms of racism and oppression 

Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights FTDES

Al-Bawsala Organization

Campaign Against the Criminalization of Civil Action

Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights LTDH

Lawyers Without Borders ASF

Tunisian Association of Democratic Women ATFD

Women’s Voices

Merger of the Tunisian Association for Justice and Equality

Legal Agenda

Tunisian Association for the Defense of Individual Freedoms

Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms

Al-Karama Association for Rights and Freedoms

Social Accountability Association

World Organization Against Torture OMCT

Amnesty International Tunisia

No Peace Without Justice

Nashaz Association

Voice of Black Tunisian Women

Initiative for Equality

Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia

Federation of Tunisians for Citizenship Between the Two Banks

National Authority for the Defense of Freedoms and Democracy

We Are Youth Organization

Tunisian Association for Rights and Freedoms

Tunisian Coalition for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Tunisian Organization Against Torture

Ifriqiya Association

Committee of Family and Friends in Support of Sherifa Riahi

ASSOCIATION TUNISIENNE AWLEDNA