Campaign denounces judicial proceedings against Tunisian associations, citing threat to civic space
via Business News2 min read
The "Against the Criminalization of Civil Action" campaign has condemned judicial proceedings aimed at the definitive dissolution of certain associations in Tunisia. In a statement released on Sunday, the collective described these actions as a serious escalation against civic space and public freedoms. The campaign reported being informed of judicial notifications initiated against several associations, viewing this as part of a political context marked by increasing pressure on independent spaces and civil society structures. The collective believes that potential dissolutions would not be mere legal procedures but rather a political will to reduce the scope of action for associations and counter-powers. It also criticized the instrumentalization of the judiciary in political conflicts, arguing that this undermines judicial independence and the rule of law. The campaign called on associations, organizations, unions, and political parties to mobilize against what it terms a threat to the remaining free and autonomous space in the country. It also urged affected associations to inform the public about the nature of the proceedings and ongoing developments. This statement comes amid recurring concerns from civil society actors regarding the legal and political environment for associative activity in Tunisia. The collective affirmed that these initiatives would not end their mobilization in defense of associative freedoms. Furthermore, discussions in the Assembly of People's Re
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Driss Guiga, former minister and senior state official, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the age of 102. His son, Moncef Guiga, announced his death on his personal page. Guiga was a prominent figure who held several key positions during the era of Habib Bourguiba. Born in Testour in 1924, Driss Guiga was involved in the national movement early on before studying law and history in Algiers and Paris. After Tunisia gained independence, he embarked on a long career in government, serving as Director of National Security, High Commissioner for Tourism, Minister of Health, Minister of Education, Ambassador to West Germany, and then Minister of Interior from 1980 to 1984. His tenure as Minister of Interior was notably linked to a sensitive period in contemporary Tunisian history, particularly the 1983-1984 bread riots, an event that marked a turning point in his political career. Following these events, he left the country, returning after November 7, 1987. In recent years, Driss Guiga gained attention again with the publication of his memoirs, "On the Path of Bourguiba," coinciding with his centenary celebration in 2024. His passing signifies the loss of a direct witness to several major phases in the construction of the post-independence Tunisian state.
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