Summary:

During the week of 13 May 2024, multiple countries and international bodies raised concerns about the recent arrests in Tunisia of journalists and lawyers, which prompted the administration to caution against foreign interference in domestic affairs. 

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On 14 May 2024, a spokesperson for the US Department of State raised concerns, calling the recent arrests “inconsistent with what we think are universal rights that are explicitly guaranteed in the Tunisian constitution.” 

On the same day, the European Union requested clarification regarding the recent arrests while expressing concern regarding the impact on journalists and civil society. 

Also on 14 May, the French government also expressed concern regarding the detentions of lawyer Sonia Dahmani as well as other arrests of journalists and political commentators.  

On 16 May, a spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office made statements denouncing the recent arrests of lawyers urging the Tunisian government to respect freedom of expression and assembly. 

In response to international criticism, President Kais Saied rebuffed critics, warning against “interference” in Tunisian affairs.  

Outlook: 

At a politically tense moment, President Saied is balancing the need to take action on migration to appease both his supporters and his European benefactors with maintaining legitimacy in the eyes of the international community from which future loans will be needed. 

With pressure growing from Italy and with EU elections looming, the recent arrests have likely been spurred by the need to demonstrate progress on migration. The arrests serve as a warning to those individuals and organizations that provide support to sub-Saharan migrants and will likely further discourage individuals with even tangential connections to migrants from continuing their engagements. 

While these actions risk international scorn, President Saied is likely motivated in the short-term by pressure from Italy and his desire to shore up his chances in the presidential elections in the Fall. Cautionary messages from the international community will, for the time being, further stoke his nationalist base and the image of him as a defender of Tunisian sovereignty.  

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