CIVICUS calls on the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to immediately release Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang. The lawyer, human rights activist, and member of the civic platform Guinea Ecuatorial También Es Nuestra (Equatorial Guinea is Also Ours) has been unjustly arrested since 26th January.
He is falsely charged with being linked to an explosion and ensuing fires that gutted many properties in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The government of Equatorial Guinea has been silencing independent and critical voices of dissent committed to defending human rights.
“The security forces brutally grabbed Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang in the middle of the night. This is another dark moment for the country. The government needs to end its decades-long track record of attacking fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of association, expression, and assembly,” said Paul Mulindwa, Advocacy and Policy Officer for CIVICUS.
Anacleto had also been previously targeted with trumped-up charges. He was arrested in September 2022 during a siege by government security forces and the military and imprisoned for 271 days. He was accused of being a part of an opposition political party after he provided food to the party members. He was again arrested in December 2023.
The repression in Equatorial Guinea is fueled using violence against human rights defenders, militarisation of the state and politics, high levels of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of human rights violations and use of restrictive legislation. An example is law No 1/1999 on the Regime of NGOs to restrict operations of civil society organisations.
“The detention of Anacleto yet again shows the ugliness of President Obiang’s regime of reckless disregard for human rights and international law. It demonstrates the absolute impunity that characterizes one of the words most corrupt dictatorships.” Said Tutu Alicante, Director of EG Justice.
Lawyer and human rights defender, Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, has endured over 100 days of unlawful detention in 🇬🇶#EquatorialGuinea. His current whereabouts are unknown as we're hearing disturbing reports that his family and lawyers have been unable to access him since March. pic.twitter.com/29Ul2kdMBY
— GUINEA ECUATORIAL TAMBIEN ES NUESTRA (@EcuatorialEs) March 4, 2024
1/ It has been two weeks since human rights activist Anacleto Micha Ndong disappeared in the custody of prison officials in Equatorial Guinea.https://t.co/TK15GxJjo9
French President Emmanuel Macron should lay out consequences for the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity and deepening repression during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Paris, Human Rights Watch said today. Xi’s visit on May 6-7, 2024, will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and the People’s Republic of China, and will likely focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and trade issues.
“President Macron should make it clear to Xi Jinping that Beijing’s crimes against humanity come with consequences for China’s relations with France,” said Maya Wang, acting China director at Human Rights Watch. “France’s silence and inaction on human rights would only embolden the Chinese government’s sense of impunity for its abuses, further fueling repression at home and abroad.”
Respect for human rights has severely deteriorated under Xi Jinping’s rule. His government has committed crimes against humanity – including mass detention, forced labor, and cultural persecution – against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, adopted draconian legislation that has erased Hong Kong’s freedoms, and intensified repression of government critics across the country.
In March 2021, European Union governments unanimously agreed to adopt targeted sanctions against a handful of Chinese officials and entities deemed responsible for the crackdown in Xinjiang. China immediately retaliated with counter-sanctions, which contributed to cooling bilateral relations and the suspension of a bilateral trade deal.
Macron visited Beijing in 2019 and 2023, but refrained from publicly speaking out about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. He should change course and publicly raise human rights concerns during Xi’s visit, Human Rights Watch said.
Specifically, Macron should urge Xi to end crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and release hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs who remain arbitrarily detained or imprisoned, including Rahile Dawut, a Uyghur academic, and Ilham Tohti, the economist and Sakharov Prize laureate. Macron should press Xi to end Chinese government oppression in Tibet.
Macron should also urge Xi to revoke the two draconian national security laws that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong. As both laws can be applied for actions outside of China, they affect Hong Kong people and registered businesses in France that criticize the Chinese government. Macron should press for the release of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders including Joshua Wong, Chow Hang-tung, and Jimmy Lai, among others.
Finally, Macron should press the Chinese government to end its relentless repression of peaceful activists across China, including by freeing the human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, arrested in April 2023 on their way to meet an EU delegation in Beijing.
April 13th marked the first anniversary of the detention of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist Xu Yan.
Amnesty and 29 other civil society organizations urge the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan. pic.twitter.com/cU0mju3qYE
— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) April 20, 2024
Qin Weijin, Guangxi lawyer, was arrested on Apr 20 at 4pm by Liuzhou police on charges of "picking quarrels & provoking trouble". Initially accused of "inciting ethnic hatred", the charge was changed. He's detained at Liuzhou's Second Detention Center. #China#Lawyer#QinWeijinpic.twitter.com/kubygMkQjv
— The 29 Principles (@the29principles) May 1, 2024
EU demanded the immediate release of the human rights lawyer couple Beijing detained a year ago
Recently, on the anniversary of the detention of Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, the European Union issued a statement expressing deep concerns about… pic.twitter.com/SRfGJo8b2g
Human rights lawyer #余文生夫妇 is about to be prosecuted. His 18-year-old son is alone and in a worrying situation. Beijing human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan have been detained for more than a year on charges of "inciting subversion of state power".
CHINA: @pen_int joins 27 organisations in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and activist Xu Yan https://t.co/P1nFqYBczc
Ils dénoncent le harcèlement dont ils font l’objet dans et la détérioration des conditions de travail à l’intérieur des tribunaux et menacent d’escalade.
Les avocats de la section de Tunis de l’Ordre des avocats ont organisé, ce jeudi 2 mai 2024, une manifestation et une journée de colère devant le Palais de Justice de Tunis à la Rue Bab Bnet, entre le Palais de Justice et le siège de l’Ordre des Avocats.
Selon le bâtonnier de l’Ordre des avocats de Tunis, Laroussi Zguir, “le mouvement de grève des avocats et dans tous les tribunaux du Grand-Tunis vise à protester contre ce qu’ils considèrent comme un harcèlement dont ils font l’objet quand il s’agit de défendre les droits et les libertés comme ils dénoncent la détérioration des conditions de travail à l’intérieur des tribunaux”.
Il a, par ailleurs indiqué que la section de Tunis des avocats menace d’escalade si le ministère de la Justice ne répond pas à leurs demandes.
⚠️ Opposition politicians Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Khayyam Turki, Issam Chebbi, Ghazi Chaouachi, Ridha Belhaj and Abdelhamid Jelassi have been arbitrarily detained for more than a year on unfounded “conspiracy against state security” accusations. pic.twitter.com/z5vIBLOMkO
Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld a prison sentence handed down to the head of a now-closed lawyers’ association who has been behind bars for more than seven years on terrorism-related charges.
In November 2022 head of the now-closed Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) Selçuk Kozağaçlı, also a prominent human rights activist and lawyer, was among 19 lawyers given 146 years in prison in total on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” by the İstanbul 18th High Criminal Court.
The court convicted the lawyers of membership in the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army/Front (DHKP/C) and spreading the propaganda of the DHKP/C, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU.
The court sentenced jailed defendants Kozağaçlı and Barkın Timtik to 12 years in prison each and ruled to keep them in jail during appeal.
The lawyers say their prosecution is politically motivated.
The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has concluded the appeals for Kozağaçlı and Timtik and upheld their sentences while sending the files of the other defendants to a regional appeals court for review. The top court, however, reduced Kozağaçlı’s sentence to 10 years, 15 days on a technicality.
Kozağaçlı, who was arrested in November 2017 on terrorism charges, angered the government by representing two academics who were fired from their jobs by government decrees, the victims of a mining disaster in Soma in western Turkey in 2014 and many other persecuted people.
Sizin hükmünüz bizi biçmez, biçemez. Bu ağacın budaklı gövdesi, avukatlığını yaptığı yoksul halkların ve işçi sınıfının içinde köklenmiştir. Bu hikâyenin kahramanı biziz: Avukatlar. Siz sadece figüransınız. https://t.co/WL4PyVW9PW
— kızılyıldız_34592367 (@ErdemDinseven37) May 1, 2024
Hiçbir pespaye kararınız mesleki dayanışmamızdan bir adım geri attıramaz. Şiddetinizin hiçbir türlüsüne boyun eğmedik, eğmeyiz. Ebru Timtik'in aziz hatırası bu yolda en büyük delilimizdir. Genel başkanımız Selçuk Kozağaçlı'nın her daim dediği üzere, BİZ KAZANACAĞIZ! https://t.co/x47hDF5ZTM
#BriefingNote: 📌Today, 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Turkish Court of Cassation upheld the sentences given to lawyers Selcuk Kozagacli (10 years, 15 months) and Ebru Timtik (12 years). 📌3rd Criminal Chamber has exclusive jurisdiction to oversee appeals in terrorism related…
— The Arrested Lawyers (@ArrestedLawyers) April 30, 2024
#Turkey: The Turkish government has been notified of a second batch of 1,000 applications to the @ECHR_CEDH to appeal prosecutions for using the encrypted messaging app #ByLock
— The Arrested Lawyers (@ArrestedLawyers) April 29, 2024
Today, lawyers marched for justice in Turkey, where "lawyers bear the burden of a dysfunctional justice system, a judiciary whose independence and impartiality are under threat, and a legal order that is far from predictable", according to the President of the Bar Association. https://t.co/bidb0ZkhXJ
— The Arrested Lawyers (@ArrestedLawyers) April 27, 2024
Turkey: Power struggle between sects and political parties, election for next president of the Court of Cassation is inconclusive after 26 rounds. Gov't backed candidate promises for salary increase, indefinite tenure, holiday village, flats & mosque. https://t.co/BI63rUondQ
— The Arrested Lawyers (@ArrestedLawyers) April 27, 2024
A powerful tribunal that scrutinises the use of state surveillance has told a Belfast-based lawyer who made a complaint it cannot provide the results of an investigation on ‘national security’ grounds despite saying it is in the “interests of justice” to do so.
Details of the case have come to light as it emerged a report into PSNI surveillance of journalists has identified up to 18 incidents involving members of the media and legal profession.
The controversial snooping report was presented to members of the Policing Board last week.
It is understood it confirms there are fewer than 10 incidents relating to journalists and the same again for lawyers – meaning there could potentially be up to nine incidents involving members of each profession.
The report was requested by the Policing Board last year after it emerged that two journalists – Barry McCaffrey, a former Irish News reporter, and Trevor Birney – had been placed under PSNI surveillance.
Their case is being considered by the Independent Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London.
The IPT examines complaints from people who believe they have been the victim of unlawful interference by public authorities using covert techniques.
It has now emerged that a lawyer who made a report to the IPT was later told that under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) the tribunal decided to make “no determination in the complainant’s favour”.
The legal professional, who deals with Troubles and other sensitive cases, complained to the IPT after receiving information that they were under PSNI and MI5 surveillance.
The lawyer raised concerns linked to the interception of communications and the obtaining of secondary data from postal or telecommunication systems.
The complainant also highlighted concerns over entry or interference with property and surveillance relating to private information.
‘Up to 18 PSNI spy incidents targeted media and lawyers’ – @irishnews
“It’s chilling that the police have apparently been conducting covert and intrusive surveillance on lawyers as well as journalists in Northern Ireland” – @patrickcorrigan@AmnestyUKhttps://t.co/NflsvOuBoc
Front Line Defenders expresses deep concerns regarding the safety and security of Lebanese lawyer Mohammad Sablouh. Mohammad Sablouh has faced threats and intimidation due to his outspoken advocacy against the unlawful deportation of Syrian refugees, shedding light on violations of Lebanese law and international conventions by the General Security Forces and the Lebanese Army.
Mohammad Sablouh is a Lebanese lawyer and human rights defender. He is the Head of the Legal Support Program at Cedar Centre for Legal Studie, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the culture of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Lebanon. Mohammad Sablouh assists victims of torture and arbitrary detention at both the domestic and international level. He has also been actively providing legal support, documenting testimonies and information regarding human rights violations committed against Syrians refugees in Lebanon. Since 2021, as a consequence of his human rights work, Mohammad Sablouh has been facing harassment, threats, and intimidation.
On 7 February 2024, there was an attempted break-in to Mohammad Sablouh’s car parked near his residence in Qubba, North Lebanon, resulting in the disabling of the central lock, though no items were stolen. Additionally, on 21 February 2024, there was another attempt to forcibly enter his vehicle, causing damage to the back door lock. Mohammad Sablouh has also been informally notified about a ‘serious’ file allegedly being prepared against him, following previous accusations by former General Security personnel of ties with Zionism. Moreover, he has received numerous calls and messages from unknown numbers, prompting him to block them for his safety. On 8 April 2023, Mohammad Sablouh submitted a legal complaint requesting from the Lebanese authorities to investigate the source of these numbers.
▶️ Mohammad Sablouh is a lawyer who represents victims of torture and arbitrary detention. He has been repeatedly harassed and threatened by both the General Security Directorate and the Military Prosecution in relation to his professional activities.
"Lebanon must immediately cease the threats & intimidation of Mohammad Ahmad Samir Sablouh, a human rights defender and lawyer who has worked to assist victims of torture, arbitrary detention & Syrian refugees facing deportation" — UN human rights expert. https://t.co/vdCjsbWfgHpic.twitter.com/DHocbjMTiP
A core role of @UN_SPExperts is to engage with States by writing official letters, called communications, about alleged human rights violations. You can find every communication & reply from the last 13+ years on the UN Special Procedures database:
Monday, 15 April 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence as a result of his peaceful human rights activism. He has repeatedly been ill-treated in prison, including being denied vital medical care. The undersigned organizations call on the Saudi authorities to allow him immediate access to the medical care he requires, and to immediately and unconditionally release him, as well as all other prisoners unjustly detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
Waleed Abu al-Khair is a prominent human rights defender and founder of the NGO Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (MHRSA). He has spent much of his life advocating for democratic reforms in the country and, before his arrest, provided legal representation for many victims of human rights abuses.
Abu al-Khair was arrested on 15 April 2014 after refusing to sign a pledge to give up his human rights activism, and became one of the first activists to be tried and sentenced under Saudi Arabia’s draconian Counter-Terrorism Law. He was tried in the Specialized Criminal Court, an exceptional jurisdiction that was set up in 2008 to try cases of terrorism but has since been used to prosecute numerous peaceful human rights defenders. It is notorious for disregarding legal safeguards.
On 6 July 2014, Abu al-Khair was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be followed by a 15-year travel ban and a fine of 200,000 Saudi Arabian riyals (about US$53,000) as punishment for his lawful and peaceful human rights advocacy. The charges against him included “inciting public opinion against the State and its people”; “inciting international organizations against Saudi Arabia with the intention of ruining its reputation”; and “setting up and supervising an unlicensed association”, namely the MHRSA, which he registered in Ontario, Canada, after it was denied a licence in the kingdom.
(((🔴)))Ten years after his arbitrary arrest, NGOs call for Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair to be released #FreeWaleed Monday, 15 April 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair, who is serving a 15-year… pic.twitter.com/4FqKrxGo9w
13 April marks the first anniversary of the detention of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist Xu Yan.
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are deeply concerned about this case and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist Xu Yan, as they have been detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights including the right to freedom of expression. The couple, both well-known activists in China, were taken into police custody while en route to the delegation of the European Union to China in Beijing on 13 April 2023, where they were invited to attend a meeting with the EU’s Ambassador to China. They were detained in Beijing Shijingshan Detention Centre from that date until January 2024, after which they were transferred to Suzhou Detention Centre in Jiangsu province, some 1000km away.
Yu and Xu were arrested for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, an overly broad crime which is weaponized to target, intimidate and harass human rights defenders, activists, journalists and dissidents. In October 2023, Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan were indicted on those charges, as well as an additional and more serious charge of “inciting subversion of state power.” UN experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the authorities’ use of both crimes to target human rights defenders. There is no date set for their trial.
Xu Yan has reportedly lost 14kg since being detained and the conditions of her detention in Beijing may amount to torture and other ill-treatment. She has been subjected to verbal abuse, including being intimidated by police who threatened to arrest her son if he undertakes advocacy on her and Yu’s case. Their son, who turned 18 just before their detention, has faced a serious deterioration of his mental health over the last year, and currently suffers from depression. Xu and Yu‘s transfer to Suzhou has exacerbated his isolation and the risk of further mental health impacts.
Ahead of the first anniversary of their arrest, we call on the Chinese government to uphold its international human rights obligations. We urge the Chinese government to:
We, along with 27 other NGOs, call for the immediate release of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist, Xu Yan. Tomorrow, 13 April, marks the first anniversary of their detention. https://t.co/PAvfE436oj@amnestypic.twitter.com/0XZKTFzcOb
It's been nearly a year since human rights lawyer #YuWensheng and his wife #XuYan were arrested by Chinese authorities. Their 19-year-old son, Yu Zhenyang, has suffered greatly, dropping out of high school and attempting suicide twice due to the trauma of his parents' suppression pic.twitter.com/2h1yv0SM3X
— The 29 Principles (@the29principles) April 3, 2024
#China: Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of the detention of #HumanRights lawyer #YuWensheng & his wife, activist Xu Yan.
On 13 April 2023, the couple were arrested while en route to the @EUdelChina, simply for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/V8OypDqBR9
Menschenrechtler freilassen: Noch immer sitzen der prominente Menschenrechtsanwalt Yu Wensheng und seine Frau Xu Yan in #China in Haft, weil sie sich mit Vertretern der Europäischen Union treffen wollten. Setzt Euch für Sie ein! https://t.co/k6oNfkSua5
On April 10, 2023, Chinese activists #XuZhiyong and #DingJiaxi were unjustly sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison for their peaceful advocacy of democracy and human rights. We honor their courage and sacrifice, and will continue to speak out against the injustice they face. pic.twitter.com/PIDYo79s7r
One year ago, #DingJiaxi & #XuZhiyong were sentenced to 12 & 14 years in prison, respectively, for their peaceful advocacy of citizen rights & political reform. The Chairs nominated them for the @NobelPrize, highlighting the PRC’s repression. They should be immediately released pic.twitter.com/BYyAWeavKs
Guangxi lawyer Qin Weijin, a dedicated advocate for civil rights and religious freedom, faces detention again on suspicion of inciting ethnic hatred. Known for his integrity and bold online commentary, Qin's legal battles highlight the ongoing struggle for justice in China. pic.twitter.com/UPnvaHPX22
Le comité de défense de la présidente du PDL, Abir Moussi, a expliqué dans un communiqué que Mme Moussi est, à compter de ce mardi 2 avril 2024, détenue en prison sans autorisation judiciaire valide dans le cadre de l’affaire dite du “bureau d’ordre” en raison de l’expiration de la période maximale de détention provisoire fixée à six mois. Il a souligné qu’aucune décision de prolongation de ce délai n’a été rendue.
« Le comité dénonce les atermoiements, qui ont duré plus d’un mois, pour le transfert du dossier à la Cour de cassation et qui ont provoqué un allongement arbitraire du délai judiciaire et conduit à dépasser le délai maximum de validité du mandat de dépôt délivré le 5 octobre 2023. Il considère que ces violations s’inscrivent dans le cadre d’une volonté affichée de harceler Abir Moussi et de porter atteinte à ses droits fondamentaux et intérêts légitimes », précise le communiqué.
Le comité de défense a également annoncé avoir déposé une plainte officielle auprès du Groupe de travail sur la détention arbitraire (GTDA), en application du Pacte international, relatif aux droits civils et politiques, que la Tunisie a ratifié et qui autorise les citoyens tunisiens à porter plainte devant les institutions compétentes des Nations Unies lorsque leurs droits et libertés sont violés.
Pour rappel, Abir Moussi a été interpellée devant le bureau d’ordre du palais de Carthage à la date du 3 octobre 2023. Elle s’y était rendue afin de déposer une demande de recours administratif. Des policiers se sont rendus sur les lieux. Ils ont embarqué Abir Moussi et confisqué les téléphones des personnes présentes. Deux jours plus tard (jeudi 5 octobre 2023), un mandat de dépôt a été émis à l’encontre de la présidente du PDL. Elle est accusée, dans le cadre de cette affaire, d’attentat contre la sûreté intérieure de l’État.
Le juge d’instruction du 10e bureau du Tribunal de première instance de Tunis a aussi émis le 1er février un nouveau mandat de dépôt contre la présidente du Parti destourien libre. Ce mandat de dépôt a été émis suite à une plainte déposée par l’Isie en vertu du décret-loi 54. Le 21 février 2024, le juge d’instruction a émis un nouveau mandat contre elle, à la suite d’une plainte déposée par l’Isie conformément aux dispositions de l’article 24 du décret 54.
L’opposition pacifique n’est pas un crime. Solidarité avec Meriem Sassi membre du bureau politique du PDL dont la présidente Abir Moussi est détenue arbitrairement depuis le 3 octobre 2023. Elle comparaîtra le jeudi 28 mars 2024 , devant la chambre criminelle du TPI de Tunis, pic.twitter.com/OVt8DZinOu
@TnPresidency, Abir Moussi is detained and faces criminal investigations in #Tunisia due to the peaceful exercise of her human rights. Pending her release, please ensure she has regular access to her family, lawyers, and adequate medical care. Thank you.
@TnPresidency, je vous appelle à libérer au plus vite l’avocate Abir Moussi, présidente du Parti destourien libre, détenue injustement depuis le 3 octobre 2023 pour avoir tenté de soumettre un recours contre les décrets présidentiels relatifs aux prochaines élections locales. pic.twitter.com/nab0VJ1Mhk
— Groupe caennais d'Amnesty International (@AmnestyCaen14) March 23, 2024
I wish the Royal Family well, but I want to use this occasion to let the world know that the leader of an apposition party in Tunisia, #Abir_Moussi, is in prison just because she is a candidate to the presidential elections ! Let her voice be heard! #KateMiddleton#كيت_ميدلتونpic.twitter.com/7QDkT5TcDA
The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) has submitted four complaints against Abir Moussi following her public criticism of the electoral process. Call on @TnPresidency to release her immediately: https://t.co/RKCOXdUEiw
— AL KILANI Almoutassim ⚖️ المعتصم الكيلاني (@ALMOUTASSIMALKI) April 2, 2024
Tunisian Lawyer & chronicler Sonia Dahmani is being investigated for her criticising the regime's policy of imprisonment. She risks ten years of prison. With presidential elections in October the arrests of critics of the regime the & potential candidates are accelerating. https://t.co/NBGpxWo8Xy
The National Bar Association in Tunisia revealed that the former dean of Tunisian lawyers, Abderrazak Kilani, has been summoned by the 35th investigative judge of the Court of First Instance to respond to charges leveled against him.
Kilani, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender, faces allegations related to the dissemination of information through information systems, including personal data, and the dissemination of false information aimed at defaming and inciting hate speech against public figures, as outlined in Article 24 of Law No. 54. The hearing is scheduled for April 2.
This development marks a recurrent confrontation between Kilani and Tunisian authorities. Previously, on March 2, 2022, during his tenure as dean of lawyers in Tunis, Kilani faced legal action, including a prison deposit card, after being accused of participating in disruptive gatherings, insulting public officials, attempting to cause chaos, and inciting disobedience.
The recent summons stems from an incident on January 2, 2022, when Kilani was involved in a dispute with security personnel outside the “Habib Bouqtafa” hospital in Bizerte, where his client, Noureddine Bhiri, leader of the Ennahda movement, was under house arrest. Bhiri’s deteriorating health condition raised tensions, leading to Kilani’s altercation with security forces.
Despite the March 21, 2022, decision to release Kilani by the military investigative judge, concerns persist regarding the repeated targeting of Kilani by Tunisian authorities.
A day ahead of lawyer Abdelaziz Essid's verdict on spurious charges, @amnesty calls on #Tunisia authorities to end the growing judicial harassment and intimidation of lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties. https://t.co/ccjuVUwapn
IAPL Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers 