Tunisian opposition leader in jail hospitalized during hunger strike, according to family.
In a troubling turn of events for Tunisian politics, jailed opposition figure Jawhar Ben Mbarek has been hospitalized as his health faces alarming decline, following a prolonged hunger strike. His condition raises serious concerns about human rights and political freedoms within the country, particularly against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the government and dissenting political voices. This situation reflects not only the struggles of individuals advocating for democratic change in Tunisia but also highlights the broader issues of civil liberties in the region.
Jailed Tunisian opposition figure Jawhar Ben Mbarek has been hospitalized amid severe dehydration, as his health continues to deteriorate following more than two weeks on a hunger strike. Ben Mbarek, cofounder of Tunisia’s prominent opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, initiated his strike on October 29 to protest his detainment in jail since February 2023.
According to a Facebook post from his sister, Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddek, her brother’s health has “severely deteriorated,” with doctors detecting “a highly dangerous toxin” compromising his kidneys. Despite being treated, Ben Mbarek refused nutritional supplements during his hospital stay, insisting on continuing his protest after 17 days of fasting. He was discharged from the hospital on Friday afternoon and returned to prison.
On Wednesday, Ben Mbarek’s attorney, Hanen Khmiri, reported that he has faced alleged torture at the hands of prison guards. Khmiri claimed he was severely beaten, leading to visible fractures and bruises. She has filed a complaint with the public prosecutor, who has promised to investigate the allegations.
Ben Mbarek has emerged as one of the most prominent opponents of Tunisia’s President Kais Saied, who has been in power since 2019. In a controversial ruling in April, Ben Mbarek was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges including “conspiracy against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group.” This mass trial has drawn heavy criticism from human rights organizations, labeling the proceedings as politically motivated.
Rights groups have raised alarm over the significant deterioration of civil liberties in Tunisia following Saied’s power consolidation in July 2021, when he dissolved parliament and expanded executive authority to govern by decree. This decree was later solidified in a new constitution ratified by a referendum that was widely boycotted. Critics, including media figures and attorneys, have faced prosecution under a stringent “fake news” law enacted the same year.
In solidarity with Ben Mbarek, his family and several prominent members of Tunisia’s political opposition have announced their participation in a collective hunger strike. This group includes Issam Chebbi, the conservative leader of the Al Joumhouri (Republican) Party, who is also imprisoned after receiving a sentence in the same mass trial as Ben Mbarek. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the Ennahdha Party, who serves a substantial prison sentence, is also participating. Currently, the condition of Chebbi and Ghannouchi remains uncertain.
Prison authorities have asserted that the detainees are under “continuous medical supervision” and have denied any claims regarding the deteriorating health of inmates. The unfolding situation not only underscores individual pleas for justice and transparency but also shines a light on the continuous struggle for democracy in Tunisia.
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