Tunisian rights groups demand release of Gaza flotilla activists

Sixteen Tunisian organisations have called for the immediate release of activists detained in connection with the “Sumud Flotilla”, an initiative aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

In a joint statement titled “Supporting the Palestinian cause is not a crime!”, the organisations condemned the arrests and urged authorities to halt all legal proceedings against those detained.

The signatories include the Tunisian League for Human Rights, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, and the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women.

“We strongly condemn these arrests and hold the regime directly responsible,” the statement said, demanding the release of all detainees.

The organisations also criticised the judicial process, describing it as lacking credibility, and argued that the arrests go beyond preventing ships from sailing from Tunisia to Gaza.

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They said the move appears aimed at undermining activism in support of Palestine, including efforts to challenge the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

On Monday, Tunisian judicial authorities ordered the detention of seven members of the steering committee of the Maghreb Freedom Flotilla, with investigations ongoing into allegations including tax evasion and money laundering.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Tunisian authorities had not officially responded to the statement. However, officials have previously maintained that the judiciary operates independently and that the government does not interfere in its work.

Authorities have also repeatedly expressed Tunisia’s support for Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

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