Tunisia is writing one of the darkest chapters in its history; the arbitrary arrests of journalists and lawyers—including that of the iconic former Bar Association president Chawki Tabib—and the planned ban on courageous human rights organizations bear witness to this every day.

Just as the Tunisian people threw off the yoke of colonialism, just as they put an end to Ben Ali’s repressive and corrupt regime, they will regain their freedom; this is their destiny, as it is that of all peoples for whom they have historically served as pioneers.

We remember the immense joy that accompanied the fall of the previous regime; as it happened, we were there with Lawyers Without Borders; it was January 14, 2011, and two of us had come on a mission to participate, at the request of the Tunisian Bar Association, in the defense of a lawyer who had just been imprisoned; just as we shared in the joy of seeing the Tunisian Bar Association, as part of the “National Dialogue Quartet” alongside trade unions and the Tunisian League for Human Rights, awarded the2015 Nobel Peace Prize.

Lawyers, like journalists and all defenders of fundamental rights—among whom trade unionists, by virtue of their social roles, are the natural protectors of citizens’ rights—are silenced and repressed, which demonstrates the political leadership’s desire to enslave its people.

When will the leaders of this country realize they are on the wrong path? When will all those who serve them refuse the role of jailer they seem to embrace without batting an eye?

The wheel of history never stops turning; it has a purpose: the emancipation of peoples and their freedom; though it may sometimes stall or retreat, it eventually resumes its forward march.

It is not for anyone to lecture the Tunisian people; every time they have been able to speak out, they have unequivocally demonstrated their choice of freedom and democracy; and they know that all those around the world who share these ideals stand by their side.

But the voices of defenders of freedoms and human rights struggle to be heard, often stifled by the fear inspired by those in power; as for democratic states , they remain mostly silent, prioritizing their geopolitical and economic interests.

Tunisia is not alone in the world; it is a member of the United Nations and the African Union—of which it is a founding member—as well as the International Organization of La Francophonie; it is bound by the texts protecting freedoms that these organizations have adopted; to disregard them would place it in the international outcast; It is up to us to appeal to these organizations and use the mechanisms they have established to secure the release of Chawki Tabib.

Citizens of the world who cherish justice and freedom must equip themselves with the means to influence the policies of their states, especially when those states drift toward authoritarianism, the first step toward dictatorship.

The legal profession has a unique opportunity to mobilize to prevent attacks on the independence of its members; thanks to the treaty adopted on March 12, 2025, by the Council of Europe, whose purpose is to protect and promote those who, like Chawki Tabib, are being prosecuted solely because of their work defending the rights and freedoms of their fellow citizens; Open to all states worldwide, this convention represents a huge step forward; whether ratified or not, it will serve as an essential benchmark for guaranteeing the independence of defense professionals.

Lawyers Without Borders France is already calling on bar associations to join the initiative it is launching, “Bar Associations of the World,” so that the provisions of this text become effective and so that the harassment currently suffered by lawyers—who have done nothing wrong other than fulfill their duty—comes to an end.

The case of Chawki Tabib reflects the role he has played in the emergence of the rule of law in Tunisia; it encapsulates and symbolizes what the legal profession can and must contribute to the building of a democratic society.

We call on the Tunisian judiciary to drop the charges against him; no one is fooled by the reasons behind his plight; it will be to the credit of prosecutors and judges to put an end to a farce that seriously harms an entire country and the men who condone it.

Francois Cantier

Attorney

Founding President of Lawyers Without Borders France

Founding President of the School of Human and Land Rights.