The arrest and imprisonment of Tunisia’s prominent opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi has sparked international outrage, with the formation of a new International Committee for Solidarity with the 82-year-old Ennahdha party leader. The committee has declared Ghannouchi as the “oldest prisoner of conscience in the Arab world” and is dedicated to advocating for his release.
Ghannouchi was detained at his home on the night of April 17, 2023, during the holy month of Ramadan, following a speech where he criticized the dissolution of the elected parliament and suspension of democratic institutions in Tunisia. His arrest is seen as part of a broader crackdown on political opposition by President Kais Saied, who has been accused of carrying out a “power grab” and undermining the country’s judiciary.
The committee, made up of statesmen, women, and intellectuals from around the world, aims to raise awareness of Ghannouchi’s plight and call for the release of all political prisoners in Tunisia. They are also advocating for the restoration of democratic institutions and the end of authoritarian rule in the country.
Ghannouchi, a vocal critic of President Saied, had played a key role in Tunisia’s democratic transition following the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. His arrest has raised concerns about the country’s slide back towards authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic gains made over the past decade.
The committee’s efforts will focus on highlighting Ghannouchi’s contributions to democracy and Islamic moderation in Tunisia and beyond, as well as urging governments and civil society groups to pressure Tunisian authorities to respect human rights and release all prisoners of conscience. The case of Rached Ghannouchi serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing democracy in the Arab world and the importance of international solidarity in defending human rights and political freedoms.