Tunisia’s November 2025: A Month of Protest and Political Tension

November 2025 marked a particularly turbulent period for Tunisia, as the North African nation witnessed significant political upheaval, mass protests, and a deepening crackdown on civil society. The month’s events highlighted growing tensions between President Kais Saied’s government and opposition groups, human rights organizations, and ordinary citizens demanding political freedoms and economic relief.

Mass Protests Echo Arab Spring Chants

On November 22, at least 2,000 protesters marched through Tunis, chanting slogans including “the people want the fall of the regime” and “no fear no terror, the street belongs to the people.” The demonstration, one of the largest in recent months, brought together activists, NGOs, and fragmented political parties in a rare display of unity against what protesters described as escalating authoritarianism.

Demonstrators carried placards reading “Enough repression” and “Not my president,” and made symbolic stops at locations representing various grievances, including the headquarters of the Tunisian Chemical Group, accused of pollution in Gabes, and the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists.

The protests reflected widespread frustration with both political repression and deteriorating economic conditions. Citizens have complained about reduced purchasing power due to inflation, with food products particularly affected. Healthcare workers also joined the wave of dissent, as thousands of doctors went on strike protesting low pay, outdated equipment, and shortages of medical supplies.

Controversial “Conspiracy Case” Verdict Upheld

The most significant judicial development occurred on November 28, when the Tunis Court of Appeal upheld convictions and prison sentences against 34 defendants in the politically motivated “conspiracy case,” with sentences ranging from five to 45 years. The case has drawn widespread international condemnation for what rights organizations describe as severe fair trial violations.

Among those affected, political activist Jaouhar Ben Mbarek saw his sentence increased from 18 to 20 years, despite being on a 31-day hunger strike protesting his detention. Human rights groups have characterized the trial as fundamentally flawed, noting that many defendants were held in pretrial detention for more than two years, exceeding the 14-month maximum under Tunisian law.

The defendants faced charges under Tunisia’s Penal Code and the 2015 Counterterrorism Law, accused of plotting to destabilize the country. However, international observers and defense lawyers argue the charges lack credible evidence and represent an attempt to silence political opposition.

Humanitarian Workers Convicted for Refugee Assistance

In another controversial case drawing international attention, the Tunis Court of First Instance on November 24 convicted two human rights defenders from the Tunisian Council for Refugees. Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazek Krimi were each sentenced to two years in prison and released because of time served, with the remainder of their sentences suspended, while three other defendants were acquitted.

The two men, who had spent more than 18 months in pretrial detention, were prosecuted for their work assisting asylum seekers and refugees as partners of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Rights organizations condemned the convictions as part of a broader crackdown on civil society, arguing that the men were simply fulfilling humanitarian obligations.

The case reflects the government’s hardline stance on migration issues and its targeting of organizations working with refugees and asylum seekers, despite these groups operating legally and in partnership with international agencies.

Escalating Crackdown on Civil Society

Throughout November, the systematic targeting of NGOs and civil society organizations intensified. Between July and November 10, 2025, courts issued 30-day suspension orders for at least 14 organizations, including prominent human rights groups, under Decree-Law 88 on Associations.

Authorities have increasingly used allegations of “suspicious” foreign funding as justification for raids, investigations, and prosecutions. President Saied has publicly accused NGOs working on migration issues of being “traitors” and “foreign agents,” escalating rhetoric that has contributed to a chilling effect on civil society work.

The crackdown has also targeted journalists and media professionals, with at least five media workers behind bars for their work or opinions as of November. The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists reported that at least 39 cases have been brought against journalists for their work since May 2023, often using the Cybercrime Law and counterterrorism legislation.

Hunger Strikes and Deteriorating Conditions

Several detained political figures and activists launched hunger strikes during November to protest what they describe as arbitrary detention and unjust trials. Beyond Jaouhar Ben Mbarek’s prolonged hunger strike, opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, the imprisoned head of the Ennahda party, also began refusing food on November 8 to protest his detention and politically motivated trials.

One hunger striker, Ben Mbarek, allegedly faced violence in prison on November 11, with his sister reporting that he was taken to an area without surveillance cameras and beaten by other inmates and prison guards. Prison authorities have rejected concerns raised by lawyers and human rights groups about his deteriorating health.

International Condemnation

The events of November 2025 drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. Amnesty International characterized the Appeals Court decision in the conspiracy case as “an appalling indictment of the Tunisian justice system,” arguing that the court deliberately ignored fair trial violations.

Human Rights Watch called on Tunisian authorities to overturn unjust convictions and end the prosecution of individuals for legitimate political activity and humanitarian work. International observers have expressed alarm at what they describe as the systematic dismantling of democratic gains made since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, which sparked the Arab Spring uprisings across the region.

Looking Ahead

As Tunisia enters December 2025, the political situation remains tense. The protests and international pressure appear to have had limited impact on the government’s approach, with President Saied’s administration showing no signs of reversing course on its crackdown against opposition voices, civil society organizations, and independent media.

The convergence of political repression, economic hardship, and growing public discontent has created a volatile situation in the country that was once hailed as the Arab Spring’s sole democratic success story. Whether the unity displayed by diverse opposition groups in November’s protests can translate into sustained pressure for change remains an open question as Tunisia navigates one of its most challenging periods since the 2011 revolution.