NewsCenter – Civil and political circles in Tunisia are witnessing an unprecedented escalation in judicial prosecutions and prison sentences issued against activists, human rights defenders, and opinion-makers, through the filing of vague charges related to national security, conspiracy, and financial violations.

Tunisian human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine faces the risk of being re-imprisoned following the issuance of two judicial rulings against her sentencing her to a total of 25 years in prison. Amnesty International explained yesterday, Sunday, 27 September, that these two rulings are related to two cases out of 7 cases in which she is being prosecuted due to her previous work as head of the Truth and Dignity Commission.

The organization added that Sihem Bensedrine is currently still free, awaiting the outcome of the appeal, but she faces the risk of being re-arrested to serve the sentence. She also faces five other cases against the backdrop of which travel ban decisions were issued against her.

Sihem Bensedrine was detained, according to Amnesty International, from the beginning of August 2024 until the nineteenth of February 2025, before the Tunisian Court of Appeal issued a decision to release her on bail until trial.

The organization considered the seven judicial prosecutions facing Sihem Bensedrine a direct targeting of her legitimate human rights activity during her presidency of the Truth and Dignity Commission — the institution responsible for transitional justice files and investigating previous violations in the country.

The organization confirmed that the trial procedures witnessed clear violations of fair trial guarantees, calling on the Tunisian authorities to annul the rulings and drop all charges against her.

It also warned of the seriousness of this case for the future of transitional justice, noting that it threatens the ability of those working in this field to perform their official duties without fear of subsequent retaliatory prosecutions.