TUNIS, Tunisia: Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets of Tunis on National Women’s Day, demanding the release of women detained for criticizing President Kais Saied. Since Saied’s 2021 power grab, numerous critics, including women, have been imprisoned.
Karima Brini, leader of the Women and Citizenship Association, expressed the protesters’ anger, calling for the freedom of the detained women. Among the protesters was Chaima Issa, an opposition figure who had also been imprisoned under Saied. She expressed solidarity with the detained women, recalling her own experiences behind bars.
The protests saw factions from across the political spectrum uniting in their demands. Supporters of the Free Destourian Party gathered near the Tunisian women’s ministry, calling for the release of their leader, Abir Moussi, who was sentenced to two years in prison under Decree 54 for allegedly spreading “false news.” Moussi’s imprisonment came just two days after she announced her candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for October 6.
In addition to Moussi, other prominent women, including lawyer Sonia Dahmani and anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah, have been jailed under the same decree. Rights groups have condemned these actions, warning of an “authoritarian drift” and a “rollback” on freedoms in Tunisia.
As Saied seeks a second term, the upcoming presidential election faces increasing scrutiny amid the ongoing repression of political dissent.
