TUNIS: The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women rights group said authorities had suspended its activities, in a move denounced by fellow activists.
Founded in 1989, the ATFD has been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Tunisia and against the dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was overthrown in 2011 by a popular uprising.
The head of the ATFD, Raja Dahmani, told AFP on Friday that she received a “decision from the authorities ordering the suspension of its activities for one month” because it had violated regulations governing associations.
Vowing to take legal action, Dahmani said the association “fully complies with legal procedures.”
Fellow rights group the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) expressed its solidarity with the association on Saturday.
“This decision is part of an ongoing series of measures aimed at criminalizing independent civic action and further restricting civic space in Tunisia, affecting dozens of independent associations,” it said.
Feminist campaigner and law professor Sana Ben Achour also condemned the decision on Facebook.
Since President Kais Saied seized power in a coup in 2021, Tunisian and foreign NGOs have denounced a regression in rights and freedoms in the country.
Local media reported this week that prosecutors had launched an investigation into foreign funding received by various civil society organizations, including the FTDES, I Watch, Al-Bawsala and the media outlet Inkyfada.
The Business News website said that 47 associations had been dissolved as a result of the investigation and authorities had frozen the assets of 36 others.
Tunisia suspends ATFD women’s rights group
https://arab.news/88pcb
Tunisia suspends ATFD women’s rights group
- ATFD has been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Tunisia
- Vowing to take legal action, Dahmani said the association “fully complies with legal procedures“
Syrian authorities bust smuggling ring, tighten border controls
- Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
- The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
