Organizations condemn threats of rape against migrant woman, link incident to official discourse
via Business News3 min read
A coalition of civil society organizations, political parties, and associations issued a joint statement on Thursday, June 4, 2026, strongly condemning a video circulating on social media. The video shows individuals entering a migrant family's home and issuing death threats and rape threats against a pregnant woman in front of her husband. The signatories expressed their "anger and indignation" over this "appalling crime," stating that it is part of a broader increase in racist, xenophobic, and discriminatory rhetoric in Tunisia, as well as a rise in violence targeting sub-Saharan African migrants and Black individuals in Tunisia. They believe this aggression cannot be separated from the climate created since the presidential statement of February 21, 2023, on irregular immigration. They argue that this date marked the beginning of a period where migrants became targets of political and media discourse portraying them as a demographic, security, and social threat. The signatories contend that this rhetoric has normalized discrimination and dehumanized migrants, leading to more frequent attacks. They assert that when a group of people is constantly targeted by campaigns of demonization, suspicion, and incitement to hatred, violence against them becomes a predictable consequence. They also denounced the recurring impunity for attacks against migrants, suggesting that the lack of prosecution implies that migrants' lives and dignity are valued less than those of other citizens.
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Journalist Mourad Zeghidi has begun a hunger strike to protest what his family describes as "injustice" and "judicial harassment" he has faced for over two years. His family announced the decision on Thursday, June 4, 2026, stating that the situation had become "untenable." They expressed deep concern for his health and the potential physical and psychological consequences of the strike. The family views this action as the culmination of a long period marked by what they consider unjust prosecutions and violations of his fundamental rights. They are appealing to human rights defenders, journalists, civil society organizations, public figures, and citizens for active solidarity and are reiterating their demand for an end to the judicial harassment and for Zeghidi's release. This announcement follows the confirmation by the criminal chamber of the Tunis Court of Appeal of sentences against Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bssais. On May 12, 2026, a three-year and six-month prison sentence was confirmed. The two journalists had previously received an eight-month sentence in another case related to decree-law 54 concerning the fight against false information and offenses committed via information and communication systems. According to their lawyer, Ghazi Mrabet, the convictions are now final, bringing their total sentence to four years and two months in prison, with their release not expected until the end of June 2028.
The Ennahdha movement on Thursday, June 4, 2026, sought to quell the controversy sparked by statements made by former MP Bechr Chebbi regarding the military institution. Chebbi's remarks, made on May 30 during a rally in Paris supporting prisoners of conscience, were widely circulated on social media and reignited debates about the military's role in Tunisian politics. Ennahdha issued a statement clarifying that its official positions are only expressed through its official texts, communiqués, and authorized spokespersons, indicating that Chebbi's comments were strictly personal and do not reflect the movement's stance. This clarification follows a strongly worded communiqué from the Ministry of National Defense two weeks prior, which denounced attempts to involve the military in political disputes. The Ministry emphasized the Tunisian army's republican nature, its discipline, neutrality, and detachment from partisan calculations, warning against efforts to implicate the army and its leaders in political tensions. Ennahdha reaffirmed its commitment to the army's role in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizen security, stressing the importance of preserving the institution from political conflicts. The party also cautioned against any attempts to use the military to undermine freedoms or challenge the foundations of the civil state and democratic system. The communiqué appears to be a political repositioning effort by Ennahdha to address accusations
Must ReadThe Assembly of the Representatives of the People ARP will examine several requests to lift parliamentary immunity for deputies on June 23, 2026. This decision was made on Thursday, June 4, during a meeting of the Assembly's bureau, chaired by Ibrahim Bouderbala. The session will be held behind closed doors, in accordance with procedures for parliamentary immunity. Affected deputies will be able to present their observations before the Assembly decides on the requests from judicial authorities. The Parliament's bureau did not specify the number of deputies targeted or the nature of the cases. According to Business News, several requests are awaiting review, some of which have been with the Assembly for months. The June 23 session occurs in a sensitive political context, with executive-aligned voices advocating for swift processing of immunity requests. Each new judicial procedure involving an elected official is welcomed by some government supporters, who see it as a fight against impunity. Sources indicate increasing pressure for immediate review of pending cases, placing the Assembly in a delicate position: it must avoid appearing to protect deputies while also not seeming to yield to executive demands. This contrasts with previous legislatures, where similar requests often remained unresolved for extended periods, drawing criticism that parliamentary immunity was used to avoid prosecution. Beyond the legal aspect, the issue highlights a political power dynamic involving ju
Less than two weeks after his release from prison, Member of Parliament Ahmed Saïdani resumed his parliamentary activities. He was seen on Thursday, June 4, at a meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of People's Representatives ARP, chaired by Brahim Bouderbala. Photographs published by Parliament show Ahmed Saïdani seated alongside MP Mokhtar Aifaoui, a bureau member responsible for information and communication, marking his first official appearance within the institution since his release. His presence is significant given that the MP had been at the center of judicial news in recent months. His incarceration had provoked numerous reactions in political and parliamentary circles before he regained his freedom at the end of May. While the bureau meeting primarily focused on examining legislative proposals, organizing parliamentary work, and various issues related to the Assembly's activities, Saïdani's return to the Bardo premises particularly drew attention. With this reappearance, the MP seems to be gradually resuming his role within the ARP, after several cases concerning him fueled public debate during his absence. His participation in this meeting constitutes a first signal of his return to parliamentary activity following a judicial sequence that had interrupted the exercise of his mandate.