In brief
Saadia Mosbah, leader of the anti-racism group Mnèmty, has been sentenced to eight years for alleged money laundering, sparking outrage among rights advocates. Her case reflects increasing repression of dissent and civil society in Tunisia, especially since President Kais Saied's controversial rhetoric against migrants. Mosbah's conviction raises alarms about the state of human rights in Tunisia, which faces criticism for its treatment of sub-Saharan migrants and opposition activists.
A Tunisian court has sentenced human rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and fined her £26,000 ($35,000).
Mosbah, who leads the anti-racism group Mnèmty, had been charged with money laundering and illicit enrichment and was arrested in May 2024.
The 66-year-old has long been a prominent advocate for sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, particularly after a 2023 speech by President Kais Saied, which described hordes of illegal migrants as a demographic threat.
Since President Saied dissolved parliament in 2021, opposition figures and rights groups have warned of a steady erosion of rights and freedoms in the North African country.
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, Mosbah's lawyer, Hela Ben Salem, told Reuters.
Authorities had previously suspended leading civil society organisations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women, citing financial audits linked to foreign funding.
During the hearing, lawyers for Mosbah argued that their clients were innocent, and criticisms of the case's motivations grew. Mosbah's son was also sentenced to three years in prison, while another campaigner received a two-year term.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the World Organisation Against Torture had called for Mosbah's release, emphasizing her age and health concerns.
In their statement, they expressed that her prosecution was part of a broader pattern of intense repression against civil society in Tunisia—including cases against rights defenders, media "smear campaigns," and new restrictions on NGOs.
This case comes at a time when Tunisia faces rising migration flows from across Africa, becoming a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. In response, authorities have intensified security measures and legal actions against irregular migration networks, deporting thousands.
Rights groups warn that this crackdown could hinder humanitarian efforts and further restrict independent advocacy within the country.
