"first-instance"

#13123494

22 December 2025

A demonstrator holds up a placard featuring a portrait of Saadia Moasbah reading ''no to the criminalization of civil work'' during a rally that brings together relatives, human rights organizations, and civil society groups outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 22, 2025, in solidarity with the detained anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah as she appears before the court for her first hearing. Saadia is the head of the anti-racism NGO M'nemty. She is a prominent black Tunisian activist and a pioneer in the fight against racism in Tunisia. She faces charges over allegations of facilitating the illegal entry and stay of migrants, money laundering, and financial misconduct. She is placed under formal detention in the women's prison by an investigative judge on May 16, 2024. Saadia and her organization consistently advocate for the rights of black migrants, particularly in the aftermath of Tunisian President Kais Saied's anti-sub-Saharan migrant statement on February 21, 2023, and the wave of anti-Black violence it provokes. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch describe these charges as ''unfounded'' and part of a broader crackdown on civil society. They call for her release.

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#13099492

15 December 2025

A general view of the Court of First Instance during a demonstration takes place in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocates for migrant aid and refugee rights face charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. The case also involves the civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, who is detained since May 2024. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099416

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold a placard featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099436

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, and those of other defendants, as well as a large banner reading ''Solidarity is not a crime'', during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099412

15 December 2025

A female demonstrator holds a sign reading in Arabic 'No to the criminalization of the humanitarian activities' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocates for migrant aid and refugee rights face charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. The case also involves the civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, who is detained since May 2024. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099421

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099429

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099448

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold a banner featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099462

15 December 2025

A female demonstrator holds a sign reading in Arabic, ''No to the criminalization of the humanitarian activities,'' while another shouts slogans during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocates for migrant aid and refugee rights face charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. The case also involves the civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, who is detained since May 2024. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case.''

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#13099474

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold a banner featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099509

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, and those of other defendants, as well as a large banner reading ''Solidarity is not a crime'', during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099524

15 December 2025

A female demonstrator shouts slogans while holding a sign reading in Arabic 'freedom' while others hold up placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist Sherifa Riahi and those of other defendants during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocates for migrant aid and refugee rights face charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. The case also involves the civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, who is detained since May 2024. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099536

15 December 2025

A female demonstrator shouts slogans while others hold up placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist Sherifa Riahi and those of other defendants during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. The case also involves the civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, who is detained since May 2024. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099545

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, as well as those of other defendants with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13099427

15 December 2025

Demonstrators hold placards featuring the portrait of the detained civil society activist and former Executive Director of NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', Sherifa Riahi, as well as those of other defendants with a text in Arabic ''release Sherifa Riahi'' during a demonstration organized outside the Court of First Instance in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 15, 2025. The rally brings together supporters, feminist activists, women's rights organizations, and civil society groups to show solidarity with the defendants, members of the NGO 'Terre d'Asile Tunisie', the Tunisian branch of the French NGO 'France Terre d'Asile', as they appear before the court for their first hearing. The advocate for migrant aid and refugee rights faces charges over allegations of forming an alliance to shelter irregular migrants and facilitating their stay. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the charges as ''bogus'' and part of a trend criminalizing humanitarian aid in Tunisia. They demand the immediate release of Sherifa Riahi and the other defendants and for the charges to be dropped, citing the ''politically motivated nature of the case''.

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#13051324

3 December 2025

The President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar (center), gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is (or was) a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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