Suspension of LTDH and ASF signals further crackdown on civil society in the country
Front Line Defenders expresses its concern and solidarity with the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) and Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) in Tunisia following the decision to suspend their activities for 30 days. These measures are a serious attack on the right to freedom of association and form part of a broader crackdown targeting independent civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and critical voices in Tunisia.
The Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LTDH) is the oldest human rights organisation in Tunisia. Founded on 14 May 1976 and granted legal status on 7 May 1977, it is one of the oldest and most respected organisations in the Arab world and on the African continent. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 in recognition of its role within the ‘Quartet’ on National Dialogue. LTDH is committed to promoting human rights and fostering a culture of respect for them, whilst monitoring violations of human rights and of public and individual freedoms.
Founded in 1992 in Brussels, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF, Lawyers Without Borders) is an international NGO promoting access to justice and human rights. For over 15 years, its Tunisia office has worked with public institutions, lawyers, and civil society to strengthen the rule of law, support vulnerable people, and promote fair trials and judicial independence.
On the evening of 24 April 2026, LTDH issued a statement informing the public that on the same evening, the organisation’s executive committee had been made aware of a decision to suspend its activities for a period of one month. This decision was made by the President of the Court of First Instance in Tunis under Article 45 of Decree-Law 88-2011.
On 26 April 2026, the National Council of LDTH issued a statement confirming this information and announcing that the organisation had resolved to take legal action to challenge the decision. The National Council of LDTH described the decision as arbitrary, unjust, and devoid of any legal basis, stressing that it constitutes a flagrant violation of the Tunisian Constitution, Decree-Law 88-2011 on associations, and Tunisia’s international human rights obligations.
On 5 May 2026, ASF in Tunisia also received a decision suspending its activities for 30 days under Article 45 of Decree-Law 88-2011, despite having complied with all administrative requests from the authorities in Tunisia. ASF stated that the decision is not legally justified and constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom of association.
LTDH further warned that the decision reflects a broader pattern of intimidation targeting independent civil society actors and silencing dissenting voices. ASF noted that the suspension comes amid an increasingly restrictive climate for civil society in Tunisia, marked by arbitrary detentions, severe financial constraints, and smear campaigns.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the escalating restrictions imposed on human rights organisations in Tunisia, including organisations with longstanding records of defending human rights, access to justice, and fundamental freedoms. The suspension orders against LTDH and ASF appear to be part of a broader pattern of judicial harassment, administrative repression, and obstruction of the legitimate and peaceful work of human rights organisations, marking a trend of shrinking civic space .
Front Line Defenders expresses it solidarity with LTDH and ASF and recalls that human rights organisations and defenders must be able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, intimidation, or undue restrictions. The organisation calls on the Tunisian authorities to immediately revoke the suspension orders issued against LTDH and ASF, guarantee the right to freedom of association in line with Tunisia’s constitutional and international obligations, and ensure that all human rights defenders and civil society organisations in Tunisia can operate freely and safely.
