The Tunisian government has made arbitrary detention a central instrument of state policy, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report published Wednesday, alleging a systematic effort to quash dissent and stifle civil and political freedoms. According to the report, authorities have increasingly relied on vague anti-terrorism and conspiracy charges to jail critics, political opponents, lawyers, judges and journalists.

As of April, dozens remain imprisoned without formal charges or trial dates, many detained well beyond the 14-day legal limit provided under Tunisia’s counterterrorism law. HRW found that these arrests frequently occur without warrants, with detainees held in unofficial locations and denied access to legal counsel or medical care.

“The Tunisian authorities are weaponizing detention, making a mockery of rule of law to punish critics and sow fear,” said Salsabil Chellali, Tunisia director at HRW. “People are being prosecuted not for what they did, but for who they are or what they believe.”

The crackdown has reportedly intensified since February 2023, when President Kais Saied launched a sweeping campaign against those he labelled as “conspirators” against the state. Amnesty International, which has also documented the deteriorating human rights environment, stated that Tunisian authorities have shown “a chilling disregard for due process and judicial independence.” The organization expressed concern over the president’s repeated interference with the judiciary, including the 2022 dissolution of the High Judicial Council and dismissal of judges.

Tunisia’s democratic backsliding follows a series of steps taken by Saied since July 2021, when he suspended Parliament and assumed executive powers. Since then, authorities have increasingly curtailed freedom of expression, association, and assembly, often invoking national security to silence criticism. In addition to the arbitrary detentions, HRW noted the growing use of military courts to try civilians, a practice condemned by UN. At least 12 civilians have faced military tribunals for charges ranging from “offending the president” to “undermining army morale.”

The Tunisian government not responded to HRW’s latest findings. However, previous statements have described the arrests as legitimate actions against individuals involved in plots to destabilize the state. HRW and Amnesty International have called on Tunisia’s international partners, including the EU and US, to urgently reevaluate their engagement with Tunisian authorities and press for an end to abuses targeting peaceful dissent.