Tunisia Suspends Multiple Civil Rights Groups Amid Foreign Funding Scrutiny

The Tunisian government has ordered a one-month suspension of activities for several prominent civil society organizations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) and the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD). Authorities cite financial audits related to foreign funding as the official reason for these suspensions, but advocacy groups argue that the true intent is to silence independent voices and restrict civic space. FTDES has been vocal in opposing President Kais Saied's 2023 remarks framing African migrants as a threat to Tunisia's identity, labeling his stance as racist. The ATFD, a longstanding advocate for democracy and women's rights, has vowed to take legal action against the suspension, which it claims is unjustified. These actions align with a broader pattern of government crackdowns following President Saied's consolidation of power since 2021, including the imprisonment of at least a dozen civil society activists. Fellow activists and feminist campaigners have condemned these measures as part of an ongoing effort to criminalize independent civic action in Tunisia.