Tunisia: Barring presidential candidates from running

BEIRUT Tunisia Authorities have prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned at least eight candidates for the October 6, 2024, presidential election, Human Rights Watch said today. The electoral commission approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied. Tunisian authorities should immediately end politically motivated prosecutions and allow free and fair elections to take place.

Tunisia is preparing for a presidential election as the government’s crackdown on the opposition intensifies. objection and freedom of speech, Key checks on President Said’s power are missing. Damage to the judicial system After the power struggle in 2021, some key institutions were made independent and reformed. include Electoral Commission, Independent High Electoral Authority (Independent High Electoral Authority, ISIE)and reorganized it in 2022, placing it under the control of the president.

“After jailing dozens of prominent opponents and activists, Tunisian authorities have shut out nearly all serious contenders from the presidential race, turning the election into a revolving door.” Bassam KhawajaDeputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should immediately end its political interference in the electoral process, reverse its repressive measures, and allow opposition candidates to participate in the vote.”

On August 10, the Election Commission Announce The government has preliminarily approved three presidential candidates, including two former members of parliament, Zouhair Maghzaoui and Ayachi Zammel. The committee consists of seven members, nominated by the president and chaired by explain Fourteen candidates were rejected for lacking the necessary signatures or financial guarantees, or for not meeting nationality criteria. Filing an appeal In contrast, in the 2019 elections, the Electoral Commission Officially recognized 26 candidates from across the political spectrum.

Since the elections began on 14 July, at least eight candidates have been convicted and sentenced to prison or life bans from running, while others have been subjected to harassment and intimidation.

On August 14, Jendouba Court of First Instance Sentencing Karim Gharbi, a rapper and businessman, was sentenced to four years in prison and banned from running for life for buying signatures of support. His intention will run for president on July 26. The four volunteers for Gharbi’s campaign are Sentencing Starting August 2, he will be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison.

On August 5, the Tunisian Court of First Instance Sentencing One of the lawyers, Mokhtar Jamai, told Human Rights Watch that five presidential candidates face eight months in prison and a lifetime ban on running for elections for “influencing voters through donations,” in violation of Article 161 of the election law. They are politician Abdullatif Meki, television host Nizar Chari, and former President Murad Messaudy. Judge; Mohamed Adel Dou, a retired army colonel; and academic Leila Hammami.

The candidate appealed the decision, but What is he and Messauddi The day after they were convicted, they announced their withdrawal from the presidential candidacy. Three others were sentenced to eight months in prison for the same charges, including a member of Maki’s campaign team and Shari’s campaign director, and another was sentenced to four years in prison.

On the same day, the Tunisian Court of First Instance also Sentencing Abir Moussi, President of the Parti Destourien Libre (PDL) and Nafa Laribi, one of Sayeed’s lawyers, told Human Rights Watch that she will be sentenced to two years in prison. She was convicted under Article 24 of the Constitution for “spreading false news and rumors about the Electoral Commission.” Suppression Decree 54 The commission decided to launch a probe into cyber crime following a complaint filed by the Election Commission.

Moussi has been arbitrarily detained since October 2023. Submitted She was selected as a candidate for the Electoral Commission just two days before the court found her guilty. She also faces several other charges. ProsecutionThree of them were based on complaints from the commission about political speech or activity.

On July 18, the Tunisian court Sentencing Lotfi Mlahi, leader of the Republican People’s Alliance and presidential candidate, was sentenced to eight months in prison, a fine of 2,000 Tunisian dinars (about $650), and a lifetime ban from running for office for allegedly “making donations in cash or in kind to influence voters.” The party’s executive director and three other members were also found guilty and served prison sentences.

Mraihi was previously arrested on July 3 on suspicion of money laundering. according to Spokesperson of the Tunisian Court. In January this year, the Tunisian Court Imposition Sentenced to six months’ suspended imprisonment under Decree No. 54 for comments he made on the radio criticizing the President.

Other potential candidates remain arbitrarily detained, such as Ghazi Chaouachi, former leader of the Atayal (Democratic Current) party, who Announce He intends to run in the July 15 election, where Republican leader Issam Chebbi’s party eventually withdrawThe two have been detained since February 2023 and are awaiting trial. Politically motivated charges Conspiracy to endanger national security and terrorism. More than ten cases Member of the Ennahda PartyThe former ruling party, including its chairman and two members Vice Presidentand have also been arbitrarily detained.

Ten potential candidates for July 31 condemn “Security harassment” and restrictions on members of their campaign teams, including arrests and confiscation of support by security forces. At least eight candidates explain The Interior Ministry failed to provide their criminal records, which are required for the election, despite the chairman of the Electoral Commission explain No candidate was rejected for lack of this document.

On August 5, President Said explain“There is no pressure on anyone…Those who talk about obstacles and difficulties…try to spread confusion, discord, rumors and lies.”

Under the new rules, presidential candidates Required Submit a list of supporting signatures from 10 members of parliament, 40 elected presidents of local governments, or 10,000 registered voters in at least 10 constituencies (with at least 500 signatures from voters in each constituency). The 2022 constitution also tightened the nationality criteria so that only Tunisian nationals, those whose parents and grandparents are Tunisian and who do not have dual nationality can run.

Tunisia is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and must therefore ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to participate in genuinely free elections and to vote, without discrimination based on political opinion. United Nations Human Rights Committee Establishment “Freedom of expression, assembly and association are necessary for the effective exercise of the right to vote and must be fully protected.”

“By blocking potential challengers, President Saied is using this election to bury what is left of Tunisia’s democracy,” said Khawaja. “The international community should no longer remain silent and urge the government to correct the already tainted electoral process.”