Civil coordinators have expanded their protest movements in several states to reject existing policies
Activists are raising slogans calling for an end to restrictions on public freedoms, opening up the political arena and reviewing economic decisions that cause a deterioration in living conditions.
Several states have seen an expansion in the civil movement against the political governance options that exist today, coinciding with the rise of popular movements on the ground in different parts of the country. Protesters during the protests raised slogans calling for an end to restrictions on public freedoms, opening up democratic political space and protecting civil labour rights.
Participants condemned the economic and social policies being pursued, calling for an immediate review of decisions that have led to lower living standards, higher prices and a decline in basic services. These protests are part of a climb where thousands of protesters are taking part to reject the decline in purchasing power and restrictions on public activity.
Representatives of civil coordinators and human rights organizations involved in the movements stressed that the field marches expressed their rejection of procedures that undermined democratic practice. Activists stressed the need to respect judicial norms and abolish restrictive legal provisions on free speech and political action.
This movement has its roots in the formation of the Tunisian Network for Rights and Freedoms on 4 September 2024 with the participation of human rights organizations, civil coalitions and parties, which organized marches in Tunisia and other states during September 2024. The objections focused on Presidential Decree No. 54 dated 13 September 2022, in particular Chapter 24, as well as a series of long-running suspensions of politicians, human rights activists and journalists during 2023 and 2024, amending judicial powers and withdrawing electoral disputes from the Administrative Court.
Civil and union co-ordinations are moving towards the implementation of successive protests and calls for sectoral strikes during the coming period, along with MPs' efforts to introduce legislative initiatives within Parliament to amend Decree 54 and abolish chapters that criminalize freedom of opinion and expression.
