We are following with profound concern the campaign “Against the Criminalization of Civil Work” in Tunisia, and in particular, the serious judicial actions and unfounded charges directed against Abdellah Saïd, human rights defender and president of the Children of the Moon association in Médenine. These actions constitute a grave threat to both individual and collective freedoms, and dangerously erode the foundations of a democratic state.
On 12 November 2024, Mr. Saïd was arrested by Tunisian security forces and transferred to the National Anti-Terrorism Brigade. For the first time since the revolution, a civil society activist has been charged with “undermining the external security of the State,” in addition to financial accusations under the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Law of 7 August 2015.
We view these charges as a politically motivated attempt to impose a false and racially charged narrative that alleges the existence of a so-called “conspiracy to alter Tunisia’s demographic composition.” This narrative, exploited by the authorities, serves as a justification for targeting Black individuals and those who defend the rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations, particularly migrants in Tunisia.
The targeting of Abdellah Saïd by the current regime is far from coincidental it is a deliberate act. Mr. Saïd is a Black Tunisian of Chadian origin, a civil society activist engaged in migrations issues, and a naturalized citizen whose status was acquired transparently in the post-revolution period. Rather than being celebrated as a reflection of Tunisia’s diversity and civic inclusion, his identity has become, under authoritarian drift, the very basis for slander, criminalization, and persecution.
Portraying Mr. Saïd as a “national security threat” represents a deeply troubling shift towards the criminalization of identity and civic engagement. It diverts responsibility for state failures in migration and public policy management onto entire communities. Mr. Saïd and his fellow activists have been made into scapegoats, used to sow fear through the fabricated specter of a “demographic conspiracy” all while legitimizing hate speech, racism, exclusion, and systemic discrimination.
This instrumentalization of one’s body, skin color, and origin by state institutions endangers not only Mr. Saïd himself but also the core values of citizenship, equality, and dignity that the Tunisian revolution aspired to uphold. Rather than being acknowledged as a model of active citizenship as a founder of an organization providing psychosocial and health support to migrants and refugees, a tireless advocate for migrant women and their children, and a pillar of social solidarity in Médenine. Mr. Saïd now faces extremely serious charges, including potential capital punishment, and has been detained without trial for over 182 days.
We firmly assert that this case is emblematic of a broader and systematic campaign of repression targeting independent voices including lawyers, journalists, activists, and unionists, in blatant violation of international human rights norms and the rights to freedom of association and expression.
We reiterate our unwavering support and unconditional solidarity with Abdellah Saïd and with all individuals persecuted for their conscience, beliefs, and commitment to justice in Tunisia.
Freedom for Abdellah Saïd.
Freedom for all activists.
No to the criminalization of solidarity and humanitarian action.
