Tunisia has officially withdrawn from the African Union’s human rights court, a move that limits individuals and organizations from challenging the government on rights violations.
In a declaration on Thursday, the Tunisian government announced that it would no longer recognize the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ authority to accept cases from individuals and non-governmental organizations. No official reason was given for the decision, but it comes as President Kais Saied consolidates power, raising concerns about increasing authoritarianism.
The withdrawal means that Tunisian citizens and human rights groups will no longer have access to the court, which enforces the African Union’s human rights charter. This decision follows past cases filed against Tunisia, including a 2023 ruling where the court urged the government to allow detained opposition figures access to their lawyers and doctors.
Rights groups have strongly criticized the move. The Tunisian League for Human Rights condemned it as a secretive decision that weakens judicial oversight and threatens justice. The withdrawal is seen as another step in Tunisia’s retreat from democratic accountability.