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Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights highlights growing environmental activism in Tunisia
via Business News3 min read
On World Environment Day, the Environmental and Climate Justice department of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights FTDES released a statement discussing the evolution of environmental struggles in Tunisia and advocating for more just and inclusive public policies. The FTDES believes that Tunisia's environmental challenges, including pollution, natural resource depletion, and climate change impacts, have moved beyond technical issues to encompass development, human rights, and social justice concerns. The organization notes a significant increase in citizen mobilization, with environmental movements demonstrating improved organization, visibility, and continuity. These movements increasingly link environmental protection with social and economic demands. This trend is evident in local protests where residents not only denounce pollution but also inequalities perceived to be linked to natural resource exploitation and the distribution of development benefits. In 2025, the FTDES recorded 427 environmental mobilizations out of 5,196 social movements, representing nearly 8% of all recorded actions. Of these, 136 directly concerned the right to a healthy environment, 14% targeted industrial pollution, and 9% addressed nuisances from household waste. The statement cites examples such as ongoing protests in Redeyef against the environmental impact of phosphate extraction, the "Stop Pollution" campaign in Gabès against the Tunisian Chemical Group's environmental damage, a
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Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, the Minister of Agriculture, chaired a working meeting on Friday, June 5, 2026, focusing on the governorates of Sousse and Monastir. He highlighted the shared agricultural, economic, and tourism specificities of the two regions, particularly emphasizing the olive sector as a cornerstone of their agricultural activity. The Minister stressed the importance of preserving and developing this national asset and protecting olive groves from various risks. Ben Cheikh also called for prioritizing the maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure to ensure full operationality and guarantee a regular supply of drinking water for residents during the summer of 2026, especially given the high tourist activity in Sousse and Monastir. He further insisted on accelerating the completion of the seawater desalination plant project in Sousse, deeming it strategically important for strengthening the region's water resources and consolidating its water security amidst growing water management challenges.
Must ReadThe cardiology department at Hédi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax has achieved a national first in Tunisia by implanting a leadless pacemaker Abbott Aveir. Announced on Saturday, June 6, 2026, this procedure marks a significant advancement in the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. This new-generation technology eliminates the need for wires or cables, which are essential components of traditional pacemakers. The innovative device also boasts a long lifespan, potentially lasting up to twenty years, and can be removed if necessary, offering greater flexibility in patient care. This implantation positions Hédi Chaker University Hospital among institutions capable of implementing the latest technologies in interventional cardiology. The Ministry of Health highlights the expertise of Tunisian medical teams and the public hospital's ability to adopt advanced international technological developments through this national premiere.
The resignation of Hassen Jarboui from the presidency of the Committee on Agriculture, Food Security, and Water may not be an isolated incident. Following this announcement, committee members are now openly discussing suspending their activities, or even a collective resignation. On Friday, June 5, 2026, Deputy Taher Ben Mansour, a committee member, severely criticized the situation on Diwan FM. While not speaking officially for the committee, he stated he shared the sentiment that led Hassen Jarboui to resign. He summarized that "things were not going well," specifically pointing to increasingly complicated relations between the committee and the Ministry of Agriculture. According to the deputy, the Ministry of Agriculture has not held any meetings with the committee since the examination of the finance law. The few meetings that occurred were led by general directors rather than the minister himself. Taher Ben Mansour noted this situation comes as the agricultural sector faces a series of crises, including rising vegetable prices, difficulties in the olive oil sector, problems in the date sector, tensions over sheep supply for Eid, fishing difficulties, and water scarcity. He recalled that the committee conducted numerous field visits, from Béja to southern Tunisia, as well as hearings and meetings on various agricultural sectors. These efforts, he said, led to no concrete progress due to a lack of interaction with the executive. Beyond the agricultural sector, the deputy d
Must ReadThe Ministry of Interior announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, the arrest of individuals seen in a widely circulated video depicting the assault of a Sub-Saharan woman. Security services identified and apprehended those involved following investigations, despite no formal complaint being filed. The ministry stated that initial findings suggest the video is not recent, with the events dating back five years and the footage being disseminated simultaneously from two different continents. Investigations are ongoing to uncover all circumstances surrounding the case and the reasons for the video's recent distribution, given the age of the incident. The viral video, which emerged on Thursday, showed several individuals sexually assaulting a Sub-Saharan woman in front of her husband, sparking outrage among internet users and human rights organizations. The Ministry of Interior is continuing its investigations to determine all aspects of the case and mentioned "attempts at distortion and instrumentalization" accompanying the video's release. The ministry reaffirmed the state's commitment to guaranteeing "the rights and dignity of every person on Tunisian territory" and enforcing the law against offenders. It also reiterated its dedication to a "humanitarian approach" in managing migration, emphasizing its desire to facilitate the voluntary return of irregular migrants to their home countries "under the best conditions."