Tunisians protest for the release of President Saied's female critics: Video
Hundreds of Tunisians gathered in the capital, Tunis, on August 14, to mark National Women’s Day and to call for the release of women detained for criticizing President Kais Saied.
Among those detained is Saadia Mosbah, head of the Mnemty Anti-racism Association. Mosbah was arrested in May, shortly after President Saied publicly condemned organizations assisting migrants, labelling them “traitors and mercenaries.” Mosbah has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of sub-Saharan African migrants.
In a related case, lawyer Sonia Dahmani was sentenced to one year in prison in July for comments she made about Tunisia in response to a TV pundit’s claim that sub-Saharan migrants were attempting to settle permanently in the country. Dahmani’s imprisonment further raised concerns about the state of free speech and the increasing crackdown on dissent in Tunisia.
The protests on Tuesday drew support from various political factions, united in their demand for the release of these detained women. Supporters of the Free Destourian Party gathered near the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, calling for the release of their leader, Abir Moussi, as AFP reported.
Moussi was also sentenced to two years in prison under Decree 54 for allegedly spreading “false news.” Moussi’s arrest occurred just two days after she announced her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for October 6.
Human rights groups have condemned the arrests, warning of an "authoritarian drift" and a significant rollback of freedoms in Tunisia.
Demonstrators wielded placards with Arabic inscriptions. Some of which translated as "Women are not afraid of prison"; "Where are you, Madam Minister for Women, defending women's rights?”; "Women's rights are a red line"; "Don't touch women's rights," amongst others
