Tunisia steps up civil society crackdown as anger mounts over power and water shortages

Tunisia steps up civil society crackdown as anger mounts over power and water shortages Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 10:41 At least 47 people connected with NGOs have been prosecuted since 2024, according to Human Rights Watch Tunisians protest against President Kais Saied, demanding the return of democracy and the release of jailed activists and journalists amid a worsening economic and social crisis, in Tunis, 20 August 2026 (Jihed Abidellaoui/Reuters) Off The Tunisian government is escalating its wide-reaching crackdown on civil society, as public frustration mounts over ongoing power and water shortages amid soaring temperatures. Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned in a report on Wednesday that the authorities' intensifying repression of NGOs is part of a push to completely shutter civil society. The 49-page report detailed a raft of measures wielded by President Kais Saied's government - including prosecution, arbitrary detention, financial investigations and mass suspensions - to target local and civil society groups, their members, workers and associates.