Tunisian human rights league: jailing judges signals collapse of justice

The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) has strongly condemned the prison sentence issued against the President of the Tunisian Judges Association, Anas Hammadi, saying that “imprisoning free judges is a clear declaration of the collapse of justice”.

A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced Hammadi to one year in prison on charges of “obstructing freedom of work”, linked to his participation in protests against the dismissal of 57 judges in 2022.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the league expressed solidarity with Hammadi, saying the ruling is “part of a systematic policy aimed at subjugating the judiciary and forcing independent judges into submission by using the courts as a tool of intimidation and punishment”.

It added that the decision “sets a dangerous precedent that signals the erosion of the remaining guarantees of judicial independence, turning it into a subordinate body used to settle scores and suppress free voices”.

The statement continued: “Jailing the head of the Judges Association over his legitimate activities and positions is a blatant violation of trade union freedoms and freedom of expression. It also reflects a clear determination to harass and intimidate judges and to criminalise all forms of independent organisation within state institutions.”

The league added that relying on broad charges such as “obstructing freedom of work” highlights “a dangerous trend towards expanding criminalisation to include any form of protest or critical stance”.