A Tunisian court has sentenced human rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and imposed a fine of £26,000 ($35,000). Mosbah, who leads the anti-racism group Mnèmty, was arrested in May 2024 on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment.
The 66-year-old has been a vocal advocate for sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, particularly following a controversial speech by President Kais Saied in 2023, which labeled hordes of illegal migrants as a demographic threat. Since Saied's decision to dissolve parliament in 2021, there have been increasing warnings from opposition figures and rights groups about the erosion of freedoms in the country.
Lawyer Hela Ben Salem described the verdict as a significant setback, part of a broader campaign to dismantle civil society groups and deflect blame for the government's failure to manage migration effectively. In a courtroom filled with supporters, Mosbah's lawyers vehemently asserted their clients' innocence.
Alongside Mosbah, her son received a three-year sentence, while another activist was handed a two-year term. The backdrop to this decision includes the recent suspension of several prominent civil society organizations by authorities, citing financial audits related to foreign funding.
The international community, including the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, called for Mosbah's immediate release, citing her health concerns and age. They argue that her prosecution is part of a discernible pattern of escalating repression targeting civil society in Tunisia.
As Tunisia faces an influx of migrants seeking routes to Europe, authorities have ramped up security measures and implemented stricter legal frameworks against irregular migration, contributing to humanitarian challenges and limiting independent advocacy.
