Khaberni - The "Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights" announced on Monday that the Tunisian authorities have suspended its activities for a month, in a measure similar to that taken against the "Tunisian Association for Democratic Women" last week.
A statement by the "Forum," which is a non-governmental organization active in migration and environmental issues, indicated that "it received on the evening of October 27, 2025, an official letter informing it that its activities were suspended for a month using the same prepared wording that was applied to a number of associations and organizations."
The statement did not mention the reasons given by the authorities for this measure, but it noted that "the Forum" has been subjected "since April 2025" to "a continuous series of financial and tax audits," despite "its usual compliance with all legal and administrative regulations."
Foreign Funding
Local media reported this week that a judicial investigation was recently opened into foreign funding received by various civil society organizations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, the organization "I Watch," "Al Bawsala," and the website "Inkifada."
Reuters also reported from sources within the civil society that suspension decisions were also issued against several other organizations on the grounds of receiving foreign funding, although these organizations have not yet announced the decisions officially.
Ramadan Ben Omar, an official in the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, told Reuters that this action is presented as a financial audit related to foreign funding, "but the real goal is to silence every independent and strong voice within civil society."
According to "Business News," the court ordered "the freezing of assets of some associations pending the conclusion of the investigations." The site added, "So far, the investigations have led to the dissolution of 47 associations and the freezing of assets of 36 other associations."
President Kais Saied has monopolized power since 2021 when he decided to freeze the activities of the parliament and then dissolve it and dismiss the prime minister. The opposition described his measures as akin to a coup. Since then, Tunisian and international non-governmental organizations have expressed their regret for the deterioration of rights and freedoms at the birthplace of the "Arab Spring."
