2021 Tunisian self-coup explained

2021 Tunisian self-coup
Partof:Arab Winter
Date:25 July 2021
Place:Tunisia
Causes:
Result:Coup successful
Side1: President of Tunisia
Side2: Parliament of Tunisia
Leadfigures1:Kais Saied

Najla Bouden
Leadfigures2:Rached Ghannouchi

Hichem Mechichi

The 2021 Tunisian self-coup took place on 25 July 2021, when Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the government of Hichem Mechichi, suspended the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and revoked the immunity of its members. Described as a self-coup, the move came after a period of political instability marked by a series of protests against the Ennahda-backed government and the collapse of the Tunisian healthcare system amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The day after the self-coup, Saied imposed a month-long curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. After the 30-day period expired, Saied extended the period of his measures "until further notice". In October, Najla Bouden was appointed to head a new government, making her the first female prime minister both in Tunisia and the Arab world. In July 2022, a new constitution expanding the president's powers was adopted after a referendum boycotted by over two-thirds of voters, paving the way for parliamentary elections in December 2022 and January 2023 which were also boycotted by a large sector of the population.

Background

Saied-Mechichi: Parliament deadlock

See main article: Mechichi Cabinet. In September 2020, the government of Hichem Mechichi was formed.[1] The government exclusively consisted of independent technocrats[2] and was supported, although "grudgingly", by the Ennahda party, the biggest parliamentary bloc led by Speaker Rached Ghannouchi.[3] [4]

In January 2021, Mechichi proposed a cabinet reshuffle which was approved by parliament,[5] but president Kais Saied rejected the reshuffle, claiming that the proposed ministers of health, energy, employment and sports have conflicts of interest.[6] [7] [8]

Saied and Mechichi also differed on their interpretations of the constitutional authorities of the president and prime minister, primarily the amount of influence the president is given on the government's operation. Saied was also in a stalemate with the country's legislative body, the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, on their respective constitutional powers. Normally, such disagreements would be resolved by the constitutional court, but the court's members have not been appointed yet.[9]

Saied demanded that Mechichi resign in order for dialogue to take place, but the latter refused to step down, stating that he was "responsible for salvaging a country gripped by political and economic woes".[10]

COVID-19 and protests against Ennahda

See main article: COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia and 2021 Tunisian protests. The standoff between the president and prime minister paralysed the government, contributing to the state's poor response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] On 8 July 2021, the Health Ministry said that the country's health system has "collapsed under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic".[13]

Protests spread across the country against economic mismanagement and the response to COVID-19 and calling for the resignation of the government and the dissolution of the parliament.[14] [15] In some instances, these protests turned violent, and on 25 July, protestors attacked Ennahda's offices in Monastir, Sfax, El Kef and Sousse.[16]

Announcement

On the night of 25 July 2021, Saied announced in a televised address the adoption of "extraordinary measures", namely the dismissal of the government, the suspension of parliament and the lifting of its members' parliamentary immunity.[17] [18] [19] Saied said that he would assume executive authority with a new prime minister,[20] and also declared himself attorney general.[21]

In the announcement, which came after meeting between Saied and his top advisors and security leaders at his palace,[22] Saied warned "any who think of resorting to weapons".[23] Hours later, military forces were deployed to barricade the parliament's headquarters, preventing Ghannouchi and other parliamentarians from entering the building.[24] [25]

Reactions

Domestic

Many Tunisians initially supported the move, with tens of thousands taking to the streets to celebrate the coup soon after its announcement.[26] However, economic downturn since reduced the popularity of Saied and the new constitution.[27]

The next day after the coup, Mechichi released a statement on social media in which he announced that he would hand over authority to the next prime minister the President chooses, saying that he won't "play an obstructive role in complicating the situation in Tunisia" and that he will "continue to serve his country under all circumstances".[28] Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that Mechichi was physically assaulted and forced to resign.[29] This was denied by Mechichi, but the MEE "stood by its report".[30] Mechichi's first public appearance came eleven days after the coup at the Tunisian anti-corruption agency to declare his properties.[31]

Ghannouchi, on the other hand, immediately rejected Saied's decisions and said that he would call a parliamentary session in defiance of the President,[32] whose move he called a "full-fledged coup".[33] However, the military blocked Ghannouchi from entering the parliament building, so he led a sit-in protest in front of it.[34]

The coup was immediately denounced by Ennahda, the Dignity Coalition and the Heart of Tunisia, the three main parties in parliament.[35] Former president Moncef Marzouki, who oversaw the transition to democracy after the revolution, also rejected the coup, calling it "the beginning of slipping into an even worse situation".

In September 2021, a four-party coalition between Ettakatol, the Democratic Current, Afek Tounes and the Republican Party adopted a position against the coup.[36] In May 2022, another coalition was announced, the National Salvation Front, between Ennahda, the Dignity Coalition, the Heart of Tunisia, Al Amal, Al Irada and five civil society groups along with independent politicians.[37] [38]

The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), Tunisia's national trade union center, initially supported the coup,[39] but the relationship between Saied and the UGTT soured, with the UGTT repeatedly voicing concerns about Saied's commitment to preserving rights and freedoms.[40]

International

Several countries and supranational bodies reacted with concern to the coup and encouraged a swift return to normal order, including Qatar, Turkey, Germany, Spain, the European Union and the United States.[41] [42] [43] Greece supported Saied's move, with its foreign minister backing "Tunisia’s efforts to maintain the North African country’s stability from the influence of extremists".[44]

Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were also supportive, with influential voices in the three countries celebrating the coup as a "blow to political Islam".[45] Officially, there was no reaction from Egypt and the UAE while Saudi Arabia declared support for "everything that would help achieve" security, stability and prosperity for Tunisia.[46] The Arab League issued a statement urging Tunisia to "restore stability and calm and the state’s ability to work effectively to respond to the aspirations and requirements of the people".[47]

A spokesman for Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres called on both sides to "exercise restraint, refrain from violence and ensure that the situation remains calm". The International Monetary Fund offered to continue assisting the country with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tunisia had requested a three-year $4 billion loan "to help stabilise its balance of payments position after its current account deficit widened to 7.1 percent of GDP last year."

Amnesty International asked the government to "publicly commit to respecting and protecting human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly". Human Rights Watch said that the Saied's move implicitly revoked the constitutional order and that it was a first step towards authoritarianism.[48]

Legality

Saied justified his decision to adopt the measures by invoking Article 80 of the Tunisian constitution, which allows the president to take extraordinary measures if the nation's institutions, security or independence are threatened.[49] However, the constitution states that the parliament should remain in "a state of continuous session" throughout the period of the extraordinary measures, and does not permit its suspension.[50] Additionally, the constitution mandates that such measures be taken after consultation with the Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, which Saied claims to have done by phone.[51] However, Ghannouchi denied that he was consulted.

Subsequent developments

Protests

Outside the parliament building, clashes broke out between pro- and anti-Saied protestors.[52] The day after the coup, Saied imposed a month-long curfew prohibiting the movement of people and cars between cities as well as public gatherings of more than three people.[53] In spite of an official ban, sporadic protests against Saied continued into March 2023.[54]

In January 2022, a protester died of wounds he sustained during a crackdown on protests by security forces.[55]

Changes to the political system

On 24 August 2021, Saied announced the extension of the extraordinary measures "until further notice".[56] On 22 September 2021, he announced that he would rule by decree and suspend constitutional provisions that go against the extraordinary measures.[57] [58] He also announced his intention to appoint a committee to draft amendments to the constitution,[59] and said that members of parliament will no longer receive their salaries.

On 29 September 2021, two months after the coup, Saied appointed Najla Bouden to the premiership.[60] Although this made her the first female prime minister in Tunisia and in the Arab World, she has been criticised as no more than a figurehead.[61]

On 20 March 2022, Saied dissolved the Parliament, which had been frozen for eight months, after members arranged an online session in which they voted against Saied's extraordinary measures.[62]

On 30 June 2022, Saied unveiled a draft for a new constitution,[63] which introduced sweeping changes and increased the power of the presidency at the expense of the legislature, which he split into two chambers, and the judiciary.[64] The draft was criticised as undemocratic.[65] A referendum to approve the draft, held on 25 July 2022, the first anniversary of the coup, saw 94.6% of valid ballots approving the draft, but turnout was only 30.5% after most of the opposition called for a boycott.[66]

Legal proceedings against opposition figures

Since 25 July 2021, a number of parliamentarians and activists have been prosecuted for denouncing the president's actions.[67] On 30 July 2021, Yassin Ayari, a member of parliament and a critic of Saied, was arrested at his house by security forces.[68] On 17 September 2021, Seifeddine Makhlouf, another parliamentarian, was arrested.[69] He was later sentenced by a military court to 14 months in prison.[70]

On 31 December 2021, Noureddine Bhiri, deputy head of Ennahda, was arrested over accusations of terrorism.[71] On 2 January 2022, he was transferred to a hospital after going on hunger strike.[72] The United Nations condemned the arrest, as did Human Rights Watch. He was released in March 2022.[73] However, he was arrested again on 13 February 2023.[74]

Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi has been summoned by courts several times including in July 2022 and November 2022 for money laundering,[75] [76] and in February 2023 for "inciting Tunisians to kill each other".[77] Ghannouchi has denied the allegations, insisting that they are meant to divert attention from "the real problems".

On 3 October 2023, Abir Moussi, leader of the opposition Free Destourian Party was arrested on the gates of the Carthage Palace while trying to get legal documents from the registry office of the presidency of the republic, two days later a judge ordered her imprisonment;[78] she has since been in the women's prison in Mannouba. Two weeks later, thousands took to the streets of Tunis to denounce her arrest.[79] According to a public letter from Abir Moussi, she suffers from degrading treatment and from severe pain in many parts of her body due to her being physically assaulted by policemen during her arrest. Moussi accused the prison's authorities of refusing to treat her, limiting their reaction to just giving her some sedatives[80] ..

Erosion of judicial independence

Since the coup, several judges have been banned from travelling or placed under house arrest without approval from the Supreme Judicial Council.[81] The council, which was tasked with ensuring judicial independence and disciplining judges, was dissolved by Saied on 6 February 2022.[82]

On 1 June 2022, Saied dismissed 57 judges and prosecutors for alleged corruption and "hindering the pursuit of those suspected in terrorism cases".[83] Despite a court order in August that ruled in favour of reinstating 49 of those dismissed, the Saied-appointed justice minister announced the preparation of criminal cases against the dismissed judges, drawing criticism from Human Rights Watch.[84]

Restrictions on the media

See also: Decree Law 54 (Tunisia). On 26 July 2021, Tunisian police raided the bureau of Al Jazeera in Tunis without warrants or prior notification.[85] [86] The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and Journalists for Human Rights have documented several restrictions imposed on journalists since the coup. The violations documented included illegal censorship, repression, arbitrary detention, and security and judicial prosecution.[87]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bouazza . Bouazza Ben . 2020-09-02 . Tunisian prime minister wins confidence vote amid crisis . 2023-03-25 . AP NEWS . en.
  2. News: Amara . Tarek . 2020-08-24 . Tunisia premier designate names a technocratic government . en . Reuters . 2023-03-25.
  3. Web site: 2020-09-01 . Tunisia's parliament approves technocratic government of PM-designate Mechichi . 2023-03-25 . Al Arabiya English . en.
  4. News: 2021-07-26 . Tunisia's PM sacked after violent Covid protests . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-03-25.
  5. News: Amara . Tarek . McDowall . Angus . 2021-01-27 . Tunisia's parliament approves Cabinet reshuffle amid protests . en . Reuters . 2023-03-25.
  6. News: 2021-01-26 . Tunisian president rejects reshuffle, escalating political crisis . en . Reuters . 2023-03-25.
  7. Web site: Al-Thabti . Adel . 2021-07-26 . Tunisian party decries president's move to dismiss gov't . 2023-03-25 . Anadolu Ajansı.
  8. Web site: Hearst . David . Edroos . Faisal . 28 July 2021 . EXCLUSIVE: Tunisian prime minister was assaulted in palace before coup . 2023-03-25 . Middle East Eye . en.
  9. Web site: Tunisia: An overlapping political and constitutional crisis Al Jazeera Centre for Studies . 2023-03-25 . studies.aljazeera.net . en.
  10. Web site: Tunisian Premier brushes aside calls to step down . 2023-03-25 . The North Africa Post . en-US.
  11. Web site: Tunisia: From president's power grab to new parliament . 2023-03-25 . www.zawya.com . en . Agence France-Presse.
  12. [11]
  13. Web site: 'The boat is sinking': Tunisia warns of COVID-19 'catastrophe' . 2023-03-24 . Al-Jazeera . en.
  14. Web site: 2021-07-25 . Leading Ennahda figure attacks Al Arabiya, Al Hadath over Tunisia protests coverage . 2023-03-25 . Al Arabiya English . en.
  15. Web site: 2021-07-25 . Protests across Tunisia as COVID-19 surges and economy suffers . 2023-03-25 . Arab News . en.
  16. News: Amara . Tarek . McDowall . Angus . 2021-07-25 . Protests across Tunisia target Ennahda party over political crisis . en . Reuters . Blair . Edmund . live . 2023-03-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210810175010/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/protests-across-tunisia-covid-19-surges-economy-suffers-2021-07-25/ . 10 August 2021.
  17. Web site: 2021-07-25 . Tunisian president sacks PM, suspends parliament after violent protests . 2023-03-25 . France 24 . en.
  18. Web site: Yeranian . Edward . 26 July 2021 . Tunisian President Sacks Premier, Suspends Parliament . 2023-03-25 . VOA . en.
  19. Web site: 2021-07-27 . Tunisia: President's Seizure of Powers Threatens Rights . 2023-03-25 . Human Rights Watch . en.
  20. Web site: Tunisia's president accused of 'coup' after dismissing PM . 2023-03-25 . Al-Jazeera . en.
  21. Web site: Canli . Enes . 2021-07-27 . Tunisian premier to step down following president's appointment . 2023-03-26 . Anadolu Ajansı.
  22. News: Parker . Claire . 2021-07-26 . Tunisia's president fires prime minister, dismisses government, freezes parliament . The Washington Post . live . subscription . 2023-03-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927111721/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/25/tunisia-saied-mechichi-parliament/ . 27 September 2021.
  23. News: Amara . Tarek . Mcdowall . Angus . 2021-07-26 . Tunisian president ousts government in move critics call a coup . en . Reuters . 2023-03-25.
  24. Web site: Yusuf . Mohammed . 27 July 2021 . Tunisian Democracy Seen as Vulnerable After President Fires PM and Suspends Parliament . 2023-03-25 . VOA . en.
  25. News: Ellali . Ahmed . O'Grady . Siobhán . July 27, 2021 . Tunisia's fledgling democracy, sole survivor of the Arab Spring, in crisis as president takes emergency powers . en-US . The Washington Post . dead . 2023-03-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925134328/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/tunisia-coup-saied-ennahda/2021/07/26/c1647c2c-ee05-11eb-81b2-9b7061a582d8_story.html . 25 September 2021 . 0190-8286.
  26. News: Amara . Tarek . 2021-07-26 . Supporters of Tunisian president celebrate government ousting with cheers, fireworks . Reuters . 2023-03-29.
  27. News: Amara . Tarek . Mcdowall . Angus . 2022-07-26 . Tunisians back new constitution, but with low turnout . Reuters . 2023-03-29.
  28. Web site: Agency . Anadolu . 2021-07-27 . Tunisian PM to step down as major parliamentary blocs dismiss coup . 2023-03-26 . Daily Sabah . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2021-07-29 . Tunisia's prime minister 'beaten up' in palace before agreeing to resign . 2023-03-26 . The Independent . en.
  30. Web site: Tunisia coup: Deposed PM denies being beaten before he resigned, reports local media . 2023-03-26 . Middle East Eye . en.
  31. Web site: 2021-08-06 . Dismissed Tunisian PM Mechichi appears for first time in 11 days . 2023-03-26 . euronews . en.
  32. Web site: Ennahda's Ghannouchi vows to fight 'coup' threatening Tunisia constitution . 2023-03-26 . Ennahda's Ghannouchi vows to fight 'coup' threatening Tunisia constitution . en.
  33. Web site: Agency . Anadolu . 2021-07-26 . Tunisia parliament strongly rejects 'coup' . 2023-03-26 . Daily Sabah . en-US.
  34. Web site: Presse . AFP-Agence France . Tunisia's Largest Party Protests Outside Army-blocked Parliament . 2023-03-26 . www.barrons.com . en-US.
  35. Web site: Political parties decry Tunisia 'coup' as crowds celebrate on street . 2023-03-28 . Political parties decry Tunisia ‘coup’ as crowds celebrate on street . en.
  36. Web site: Tunisian parties announce coalition to counter President Saied . 2023-03-29 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  37. Web site: تعرف على جبهة الخلاص الوطني.. هيئات تعمل لـ"إنقاذ" تونس من إجراءات قيس سعيد . 2023-03-29 . www.aljazeera.net . ar.
  38. Web site: National . The . 2022-07-12 . Tunisian President Kais Saied vows 'zero tolerance' of referendum fraud . 2023-03-29 . The National . en.
  39. News: 2022-12-17 . Tunisia election: Powerful UGTT union is distancing itself from the government . en . Le Monde.fr . 2023-03-29.
  40. Web site: Tunisia trade union 'no longer accepts' president's agenda . 2023-03-29 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  41. Web site: World reacts to Tunisia's political turmoil . 2023-03-28 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  42. Web site: 27 July 2021 . El Gobierno llama a "la calma y a la estabilidad" en Túnez . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210727224616/https://www.cope.es/actualidad/internacional/noticias/gobierno-llama-calma-estabilidad-tunez-20210727_1422425 . 27 July 2021 . 27 July 2021 . Cadena COPE.
  43. Web site: Ibrahim . Farah. Najjar. Arwa . Tunisia: Sacked PM says will hand over responsibility . 2023-03-28 . www.aljazeera.com . 26 July 2021 . en.
  44. Web site: Nedos . Vassilis . Greece backs Tunisia's fight for stability eKathimerini.com . 2023-03-28 . www.ekathimerini.com . English.
  45. News: Influential voices in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE celebrate Tunisia turmoil as blow to political Islam . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-03-28 . 0190-8286.
  46. Web site: How the world reacted to the coup in Tunisia . 2023-03-28 . Middle East Eye . en.
  47. News: 2021-07-26 . Arab League urges Tunisia to quickly get through current turbulent phase . en . Reuters . 2022-08-14.
  48. Web site: 27 September 2021 . Joint Statement: Tunisia: Unprecedented Confiscation of Power by the Presidency . 27 September 2021 . Human Rights Watch.
  49. Web site: Tunisian constitution of 2014 (see Article 80) .
  50. Web site: Grewal . Sharan . 2021-07-26 . Kais Saied's power grab in Tunisia . 2023-03-26 . Brookings . en-US.
  51. Web site: 2021-07-26 . Tunisia: president removes government, says it's not a coup - Politics . 2023-03-26 . ANSAMed . en . 26 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210726151845/https://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2021/07/26/tunisia-president-removes-government-says-its-not-a-coup_2355574e-d95b-4cb0-8110-58e107c140ab.html . dead .
  52. News: Staff . 2021-07-27 . Tunisia's president imposes month-long curfew and bans gatherings . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-03-26 . 0261-3077.
  53. Web site: Night curfew imposed, work at government offices suspended for two days in Tunisia . 2023-03-26 . www.gulftoday.ae.
  54. Web site: Tunisian opposition defies protest ban, hundreds demonstrate against president . 2023-03-26 . WION . 5 March 2023 . en-us.
  55. News: Tunisian dies after protesting President Saied's moves . 2023-03-29 . Al Jazeera.
  56. Web site: AfricaNews . 2021-08-24 . Tunisia's president extends suspension of parliament until further notice . 2023-03-26 . Africanews . en.
  57. Web site: Brown . Erin Clare . 2021-09-22 . Tunisia's president Kais Saied suspends constitution . 2023-03-27 . The National . en.
  58. News: Amara . Tarek . Mcdowall . Angus . 2021-09-23 . Tunisian president moves to cement one-man rule . en . Reuters . 2023-03-27.
  59. News: Reuters . 2021-09-22 . Tunisia's president to ignore parts of the constitution and rule by decree . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-03-27 . 0261-3077.
  60. Web site: 2021-09-29 . Tunisia's president appoints Najla Bouden Romdhane as country's first woman PM . 2023-03-27 . Al Arabiya English . en.
  61. News: 2021-10-14 . The Controversy Over the Arab World's First Female Prime Minister . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-03-27.
  62. Web site: Tunisia's president dissolves parliament, extending power grab . 2023-03-28 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  63. Web site: Brown . Erin Clare . 2022-06-30 . Tunisia's Kais Saied reveals draft of new constitution with sweeping changes to government . 2023-03-27 . The National . en.
  64. News: Yee . Vivian . 2022-07-01 . Tunisia's President Drafts Constitution Giving Himself Broad Powers . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-27 . 0362-4331.
  65. Web site: Tunisia: Saied backpedals in the face of criticism, corrects his proposed constitution . 2023-03-27 . Atalayar . 9 July 2022 . en.
  66. Web site: 2022-07-26 . Tunisia approves new constitution in vote with low turnout . 2023-03-28 . France 24 . en.
  67. Web site: Monitor . Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights . Tunisia: One-man rule setback for human rights and rule of law . 15 November 2021 . Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor . en-US.
  68. Web site: Tunisian MP critical of president arrested by security forces . 31 July 2021 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  69. Web site: Nova . Redazione Agenzia . 2021-09-17 . Islamist deputy Seifeddine Makhlouf arrested in Tunis . 2023-03-30 . Agenzia Nova . en.
  70. Web site: 2023-01-22 . Tunisia detains anti-Saied politician . 2023-03-30 . Arab News . en.
  71. Web site: Detained Tunisian politician hospitalised 'in critical condition' . 2023-03-30 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  72. Web site: 2022-01-05 . Hunger-striking Tunisia politician agrees to treatment: medics . 2023-03-30 . Arab News . en.
  73. Web site: Tunisia: Ennahda says senior official Noureddine Bhiri released . 2023-03-30 . Middle East Eye . en.
  74. News: 2023-02-13 . Tunisian police arrest Noureddine Bhiri, a prominent opponent of president Saied . en . Reuters . 2023-03-30.
  75. News: 2022-07-06 . Tunisian opposition leader faces money laundering allegations . en . Reuters . 2023-03-30.
  76. Web site: AfricaNews . 2022-11-10 . Tunisia: Opposition chief back in court for 'money laundering' . 2023-03-30 . Africanews . en.
  77. Web site: AfricaNews . 2023-02-21. Tunisian Islamist opposition leader in court on incitement charges . 2023-03-30 . Africanews . en.
  78. News: 2023-10-05 . Tunisian judge orders imprisonment of opposition leader Abir Moussi . en . The National News. 2023-11-26.
  79. News: 2023-10-15. Tunisie : l'opposante Abir Moussi rassemble à Tunis plusieurs milliers de personnes dénonçant son incarcération . fr . Le Monde. 2023-11-26.
  80. News: 2023-11-20. Détérioration de l'état de santé d'Abir Moussi . fr . L'Economiste Maghribebin. 2023-11-26.
  81. Web site: Monitor . Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights . Tunisia: Banning judges from traveling raises fears of undermining the judiciary . 15 November 2021 . Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor . en-US.
  82. News: Amara . Tarek . 2022-02-06 . Tunisian president dissolves Supreme Judicial Council . en . Reuters . 2023-03-30.
  83. Web site: Mostafa . Amr . 2022-06-02 . Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks 57 judges over alleged corruption . 2023-03-27 . The National . en.
  84. Web site: 2023-02-27 . Tunisia: President Intensifies Attacks on Judicial Independence . 2023-03-27 . Human Rights Watch . en.
  85. Web site: Tunisia police storm Al Jazeera bureau in Tunis . 2023-03-29 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  86. Web site: Tunisian security forces storm Al Jazeera office in Tunis . 2023-03-29 . Tunisian security forces storm Al Jazeera office in Tunis . en.
  87. Web site: Monitor . Euro-Med Human Rights . 'Reporting under the Weight of Fear': Euro-Med Monitor, Journalists for Human Rights report violations against press in Tunisia . 2022-05-19 . Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor . en-US.