After more than 500 days of arbitrary detention, humanitarian leader  Mustapha Djemali remains imprisoned. On 16 October 2025, a court once again denied his lawyers’ request for release from pretrial detention.

Mr. Djemali, an 81 years old Swiss-Tunisian humanitarian worker , is the Director-General of the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR), a non-governmental humanitarian organization assisting with asylum management and supporting the authorities in developing sustainable solutions for refugees in Tunisia. The CTR is a key implementing partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Before founding the CTR, Mr. Djemali served for over 20 years in leadership positions with the UNHCR.

He was arrested on 3 May 2024 at the CTR office, and detained the following day alongside CTR Executive Director Abderrazek Krimi. Both were placed in pretrial detention on 7 May 2024. 

Under Tunisian law, pretrial detention is allowed to prevent new offenses, ensure the enforcement of a sentence, or safeguard  information security. None of these reasons apply to the case of Mr. Djemali. In July 2025, the legal limit of 14-months for pre-trial detention was exceeded. Despite this clear violation of Tunisian law, the request for his release was unjustly rejected on 16 October 2025. The next hearing is scheduled for 24 November 2025.

Mr. Djemali’s health has severely deteriorated during detention. He suffers from Horton’s disease and requires ongoing medical treatment. His family reports that he has lost over 40 kilograms since his arrest and is being held in overcrowded conditions, raising serious concerns for his well-being.

The arbitrary detention of Mr. Djemali, Mr. Krimi, and other humanitarian workers exemplifies a broader pattern of the criminalization of humanitarian action in Tunisia. 

In light of its recent signature of the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel (September 2025), the Tunisian Government must honor its international commitments by ending the criminalization of humanitarian work and by fully respecting and protecting the rights of humanitarian workers.

Protect Humanitarians stands in full solidarity with Mr. Mustapha Djemali and his family. We continue to engage with governments and institutions to advocate for his immediate release, emphasizing his innocence, advanced age, and deteriorating health condition.

Protect Humanitarians calls on:

• The Tunisian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Djemali and Mr. Krimi, ensure access to medical care and legal assistance, to ensure detention conditions in compliance with human rights law, and to cease criminal proceedings against humanitarian workers. 
• Switzerland to redouble its efforts in advocating for Mr. Djemali’s release.
• UNHCR to strengthen its advocacy efforts to secure Mr. Djemali’s and Mr. Krimi’s freedom.
• The European Union must urgently act and press Tunisia to end the arbitrary detention of Mr. Djemali and Mr. Krimi – a flagrant breach of human rights and a clear violation of the EU–Tunisia Association Agreement, which places respect for human rights at its foundation. Failure to respond undermines the EU’s credibility and its stated commitment to human rights and the protection of humanitarian personnel.