TUNIS: Tunisia has ordered the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), a prominent civil rights and migrant advocacy organization, to suspend activities for a month, the group said on Monday, one of several associations under such orders.
FTDES official Ramadhan Ben Omar told Reuters that the government said the suspension was to allow for a financial audit related to foreign funding the group receives. “It’s real aim is to silence every independent voice within civil society”, he said.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Democratic Women group — dedicated to women’s rights, freedoms and democracy — was similarly suspended last week.
Sources told Reuters that several other organizations were also suspended because they received foreign funding, but the decisions have not yet been publicly announced.
FTDES was one of the first organizations to denounce President Kais Saied’s claim in 2023 that an influx of African migrants was part of a “criminal plot” to change the country’s Arab and Muslim identity. FTDES said his stance was racist.
At least 12 prominent civil society activists are currently in prison on various charges linked to their work.
Leading organizations complain of growing restrictions, including the freezing of their bank accounts over allegations of receiving foreign funding, since Saied seized almost all power in 2021 and started ruling by decree.
Tunisia imposes one-month suspension on migrant-rights group
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Tunisia imposes one-month suspension on migrant-rights group
- The Democratic Women group was similarly suspended last week
- Several other organizations were also suspended because they received foreign funding
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.
