Human Rights Watch published a July 8 analysis warning that, five years after President Kais Saied seized extraordinary executive powers, Tunisia’s systematic repression now centrally targets the legal profession and judiciary. Saied dismantled the independent High Judicial Council in 2022 and replaced it with a body under executive control, granting himself powers to dismiss judges. Defense lawyers have been prosecuted for the legitimate exercise of their profession: attorney Ahmed Souab was sentenced to five years, and at least twelve other lawyers face judicial harassment, travel bans, and asset freezes. The report notes that on July 8 a Tunis court sentenced 21 people—including opposition leaders and lawyers—to terms between 12 and 35 years on vague terrorism and security charges. HRW called on international bodies to break their silence over the criminalization of legal defense.

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