Tunisian authorities have ordered a one‑month suspension of the Tunisian Human Rights League, one of the country’s oldest and most respected civil‑society organisations. The move has raised serious concern among rights groups, particularly given the organisation’s historic role as part of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to guide Tunisia’s democratic transition.

Critics argue that the suspension is part of a broader pattern of tightening restrictions on civil society, opposition voices and the media since President Kais Saied consolidated power in 2021. While the government maintains that the rule of law is being upheld, concerns are growing that Tunisia, once seen as a success story of the Arab Spring, may be drifting towards authoritarianism.

Mpho Sithole spoke to Professor Dr Laeed Zaghlami from Algiers University.