In brief
A Tunisian court has sentenced anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison for charges related to money laundering and illicit enrichment. Mosbah, known for advocating for sub-Saharan migrants, faced these charges amid a broader government crackdown on civil rights. The verdict has been criticized by rights groups as part of a worrying trend towards suppressing dissent in Tunisia.
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, leading the anti-racism group Mnèmty, was arrested in May 2024, facing charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment.
At 66, she has been a staunch advocate for sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, particularly after a controversial speech by President Kais Saied in 2023, labeling migrants as a demographic threat.
Since Saied dissolved parliament in 2021, there has been a considerable decline in rights and freedoms within the country, as noted by opposition figures and rights organizations.
The verdict is a major shock, and it is part of a broader effort to dismantle civil society groups and shift responsibility for the state's failure to address the migrant issue onto these groups, stated Mosbah's lawyer, Hela Ben Salem.
Numerous rights groups have urged the Tunisian authorities to release Mosbah, citing her age and health issues, while arguing that her prosecution exemplifies the intensifying repression of civil society in Tunisia.
The sentencing comes amid rising migration flows from Africa, as Tunisia increasingly becomes a transit hub for individuals attempting to reach Europe. In response, the government has tightened security measures and enacted stricter laws to combat irregular migration, risking humanitarian efforts and independent advocacy.
