A chilling warning for Tunisia's civil society: 'We are witnessing a new wave of repression'. NGOs across the country are sounding the alarm, claiming they are victims of an 'intimidation' campaign led by the authorities.
The situation has escalated since President Kais Saied's controversial power grab in 2021, which critics have labeled a coup. Since then, rights groups have decried a regression of freedoms, with dozens of Saied's critics now behind bars.
But here's where it gets controversial: Saied has accused NGOs of receiving suspicious funds, describing it as 'blatant interference' in Tunisia's affairs. And this is the part most people miss - the government's response to these allegations has been a series of suspensions and restrictions on NGO activities.
Take, for instance, the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES) and the Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), two of the country's most prominent organizations. Late last month, they were suspended for a month, with authorities citing regulatory violations.
Raja Dahmani, head of the ATFD, a feminist organization at the forefront of Tunisia's democracy struggle, insists they 'fully comply with legal procedures' and have appealed the decision. But in the meantime, their counselling centers for women victims of violence have had to close.
The FTDES, active on migration and environmental issues, sees this as a clear attempt to silence dissent. They say it's a 'flagrant attempt to subjugate free voices who have refused to swear allegiance' to the government.
And it's not just these two organizations. Sources indicate that at least 17 NGOs have received similar suspension orders since mid-August.
A researcher at an NGO, speaking anonymously, paints a grim picture: 'We are undoubtedly witnessing a new wave of repression aimed at further restricting civic space and silencing any dissenting voices.'
The timing of these suspensions is also notable. They coincide with protests in the southern city of Gabes against pollution from an ageing chemical factory, blamed for hundreds of poisoning cases.
'Whenever the regime feels threatened or in difficulty, it responds with a crackdown and a wave of repression,' the researcher said.
In recent months, several organizations have reported being targeted by what they describe as undue tax audits, summoned for questioning, or having their bank transfers blocked. One NGO head, speaking anonymously, called it a 'perfidious and effective' strategy, saying they spend 'almost 80 percent of our energy' on administrative tasks.
Another NGO chief, who had received a formal notice preceding suspension, described the situation as 'anxiety-provoking,' saying they are 'drowning in paperwork.'
Fedy Feraihi from the NGO Intersection sees the official rhetoric as 'intimidation.' He believes the state views civil society as an opposition force and is seeking to destroy all intermediary bodies.
The issue of NGO funding has been a recurring topic of public debate since Tunisia's 2011 revolution, with foreign funds flooding in to support the democratic transition. This has fueled questions about the motivations of certain donors.
In recent days, pro-regime media outlets have reported an investigation into enormous amounts of foreign funding allegedly received by these organizations, including from US billionaire George Soros. However, AFP was unable to confirm this probe, and some of the organizations mentioned said they had no information on the matter.
On Friday, the Nawaat news website announced it had been suspended, denouncing what it called a 'political' decision aimed at 'silencing its pioneering voice in media resistance.'
So, is this a legitimate crackdown on suspicious funding, or an attempt to silence dissent and restrict civic space? What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
