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Tunisia: Suspension of landmark democratic women’s association sparks outcry
The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), a historic advocate for democracy and women’s rights, has been suspended for one month by the authorities, prompting strong reactions from civil society and other NGOs. Founded in 1989, the ATFD played a key role in the fight against the dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, overthrown in 2011.
Raja Dahmani, ATFD president, announced a legal challenge against the decision, affirming that the organization fully complies with legal procedures. Other influential NGOs, such as the Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), expressed solidarity, denouncing what they call the criminalization of civic action.
Since President Kais Saied’s 2021 power grab, civil liberties in Tunisia have been under pressure. Recent judicial probes into foreign funding have targeted multiple NGOs, leading to the freezing of assets and suspension of several associations. Critics warn that these measures are politically motivated attempts to intimidate independent civil society.