Tunisian authorities have temporarily suspended the local branch of Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), the organisation confirmed on Tuesday, marking another escalation in a widening crackdown on civil society groups.
The NGO said it received a 30-day suspension order but was not given detailed reasons for the decision. In a strongly worded response, ASF in Tunisia condemned the move, calling it “an unjustified infringement on the freedom of civil action” and an attempt to restrict independent organisations working to promote justice, solidarity, and the rule of law.
“The organisation maintains its full right to defend itself and to appeal this decision,” ASF added.
The suspension comes just days after the Tunisian League for Human Rights, a prominent rights group and co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize alongside other organisations, was also ordered to halt operations for one month.
Tunisia, once hailed as a democratic success story following the Arab Spring, has seen a steady erosion of civil liberties since President Kais Saied consolidated power in 2021. Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over shrinking freedoms and increased state control over public life.
Authorities have accused several non-governmental organisations of receiving large and suspicious foreign funding, describing it as “blatant interference” in Tunisia’s internal affairs.
By late last year, at least 17 NGOs had reportedly been handed similar month-long suspensions. Among them were major organisations such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women.
The latest suspension adds to growing concerns among international observers about the narrowing space for independent activism in the country, as affected organisations vow to challenge the restrictions through legal channels.
