Saadia Mosbah, a leading voice against racial discrimination in Tunisia, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Tunisian court, in a case that is drawing renewed scrutiny over the state of civil liberties in the country.
Mosbah, 66, was convicted on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment and ordered to pay a fine of $35,000. She was arrested in May 2024 and has since remained in detention.
As head of the anti-racism organization Mnèmty, Mosbah has been widely recognized for her advocacy on behalf of sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisia.
Her work gained heightened prominence following a controversial 2023 speech by President Kais Saied, in which he described “hordes of illegal migrants” as a demographic threat—remarks that sparked international concern and intensified racial tensions.
Mosbah’s legal team has strongly rejected the charges against her. Her lawyer, Hela Ben Salem, described the ruling as politically motivated.
“The verdict is a major shock, and it is part of a broader effort to dismantle civil society groups and shift responsibility for the state’s failure to address the migrant issue onto these groups,” Ben Salem said.
The case unfolds against a backdrop of increasing pressure on civil society since President Saied’s sweeping political moves, including the dissolution of parliament in 2021. Critics argue these actions have contributed to a steady erosion of democratic freedoms.
In recent months, authorities have suspended several prominent organizations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women, citing financial audits linked to foreign funding. Both groups are widely known for their advocacy on human rights and civil liberties.
Mosbah was tried alongside other activists, with her son receiving a three-year prison sentence and another campaigner sentenced to two years, according to reports. During the hearing, defense lawyers maintained that all defendants were innocent.
International watchdogs have also raised alarm. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the World Organisation Against Torture called for Mosbah’s immediate release ahead of the verdict, citing concerns over her age and health.
In a joint statement, the groups warned that her prosecution reflects “a broader pattern of intensifying repression of civil society in Tunisia,” pointing to legal actions against activists, media smear campaigns, and tighter restrictions on NGOs working on migration issues.
The developments come as Tunisia faces mounting migration pressures, having become a key transit hub for African migrants seeking to reach Europe. Authorities have responded with stricter enforcement measures, including deportations and expanded crackdowns on irregular migration networks.
Rights advocates caution that these policies, combined with legal action against activists like Mosbah, risk shrinking the already limited space for independent advocacy and humanitarian work in the country.
