Tunisia Suspends Civil Rights Group Amid Financial Audit Claims

Tunisia has imposed a one-month suspension on the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), a key organization in civil rights and migrant advocacy. According to FTDES official Ramadhan Ben Omar, the stipulated reason for the suspension is to conduct a financial audit due to foreign funding sources. However, Ben Omar believes the government aims to silence dissenting voices within the civil society.

The Tunisian government has yet to provide a comment on the matter. The move follows a similar suspension of the Democratic Women group, which advocates for women's rights, democracy, and freedoms, highlighting a pattern of curtailing civil society organizations.

Several other organizations, not yet publicly identified, reportedly face suspensions due to foreign funding. FTDES was among the first to criticize President Kais Saied's controversial remarks in 2023 framing African migrants' influx as a threat to Tunisia's identity, which FTDES claimed was racist. Activists note increasing restrictions tied to President Saied's consolidation of power since 2021, with significant figures incarcerated on charges related to their advocacy work.