Tunisia: Presidential decrees undermine judicial independence and access to justice, says UN expert

A UN expert* today expressed grave concern about the right to fair trial and the status of the Judiciary in Tunisia, after President Kais Saied dissolved the High Judicial Council in February and summarily sacked 57 judges last month.

“I am deeply concerned about the negative impact of recent actions by President Saied on judicial independence and the right to fair trial and access to justice for all people in Tunisia,” said Diego García-Sayán, UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

On 13 February 2022, President Saied dissolved the High Judicial Council (HJC), the main guarantor of judicial independence in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution and the country’s democratic transition. The HJC was replaced with the Temporary High Judicial Council appointed by the Presidential Decree. The decree also enabled the President to interfere with the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges in the country.

“Then on 1 June, President Saied issued a Presidential Decree empowering himself to unilaterally dismiss any judge based on vague, undefined criteria, without due process,” the expert said. “On the same day, he dismissed 57 judges under presidential order.”

The judiciary in Tunisia has temporarily suspended the strike it has been leading since June 6. However, three judges are still on hunger strike since 22 June, and two others have joined since 6 July.

“Under international standards, all disciplinary, suspension or removal proceedings against judges must be determined by an independent judicial body,” García-Sayán said. “I am extremely worried about the health of judges who have made the very personal decision to launch a hunger strike to protest the measures.”

The Special Rapporteur urged authorities in Tunis to address the underlying concerns of the judicial strike and take necessary measures to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the tenure of judges.

“I have requested a visit to Tunisia since April 2022. I would like to reiterate this request to visit the country before my mandate ends this year. I remain available for meaningful dialogue on this critical issue,” the expert said.