Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes

UN Rights Chief condemns Tunisia's mass sentencing

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Apr 2025 22:35
3 Min Read

Over the past two years, Kais Saied has faced mounting accusations of eroding democratic institutions, expanding executive control, and using the judiciary to silence critics.

Listen
  • x
  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk addresses media personnel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk addresses media personnel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

The United Nations' top human rights official has strongly criticized the recent conviction of nearly 40 Tunisian opposition figures, raising alarm over the integrity of the legal proceedings and suggesting potential political interference.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement on Thursday condemning the handling of the trials. "The process was marred by violations of fair trial and due process rights, raising serious concerns about political motivations," he said.

The remarks follow a mass sentencing on April 19 in which the Tunisian judiciary handed down prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years to political opponents, including high-profile figures such as businessman Kamel Ltaif and politician Khyam Turki. The sentences, delivered in absentia for many of the defendants, were based on charges related to conspiring against state security and alleged links to terrorist activity. Several of those convicted had been detained for over two years, while others fled the country and were tried without being present.

Related News

Tunisia lawyer critical of president receives two-year prison sentence

Tunisian Court sentences ex-President Marzouki to 22 years in absentia

International rights groups have slammed the verdicts. Amnesty International described the proceedings as a "sham trial," citing the exclusion of defense lawyers, prolonged pre-trial detentions, and the denial of defendants' basic legal rights. Human Rights Watch similarly raised alarm over the lack of transparency, while the French government also voiced concern, noting that civil society, media, and diplomats were barred from observing the trial.

The case has intensified scrutiny of Tunisia's political trajectory under President Kais Saied, who dissolved parliament in 2021 and has since ruled largely by decree. Over the past two years, Saied has faced mounting accusations of eroding democratic institutions, expanding executive control, and using the judiciary to silence critics.

Public anger has also spilled into the streets. On April 18, as the mass trial resumed in a Tunis court, protests broke out outside the courthouse, with demonstrators, including opposition figures and journalists, denouncing the proceedings and demanding the release of detainees.

On April 9, hundreds of Tunisians held major demonstrations in the capital, accusing President Saied of authoritarian rule and calling for the release of imprisoned political leaders. The protests reportedly included groups such as the Free Constitutional Party and the Salvation Front.

Read more: Protests erupt in Tunisia over arrest of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab

  • Kais Saied
  • Tunisia
  • United Nations
  • Volker Turk
  • Tunis

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS