Tunisia: Criminalization of Humanitarian Action Deepens After Appeal Verdict Against Humanitarian Leaders

Protect Humanitarians condemns the decision of the Tunis Court of Appeal on 14 May to uphold the convictions of Mustapha Djemali, founder and president of the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR), and Abderrazek Krimi, the organization’s project director. The verdict marks a serious setback for humanitarian action, refugee protection, and civic space in Tunisia.

Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazek Krimi are respected humanitarian figures who have dedicated years to supporting refugees and people fleeing persecution and conflict. Their work was conducted transparently, lawfully, and in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Despite evidence presented by the defense demonstrating their innocence, the Court of Appeal upheld the convictions.

The charges stem from routine humanitarian activities, including providing shelter, emergency assistance, and support to asylum seekers and refugees registered with UNHCR. Criminalizing humanitarian activities undermines international refugee protection standards and Tunisia’s own commitments under International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

This decision reflects a broader pattern of repression targeting humanitarian organizations and independent civil society actors in Tunisia. The freezing of bank accounts belonging to the CTR, Mr. Djemali, and Mr. Krimi, together with ongoing legal proceedings against humanitarian personnel, has already had severe consequences for vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, depriving many of essential protection and assistance.

Protect Humanitarians is particularly concerned by the continued targeting of Mustapha Djemali, an 82-year-old former UNHCR regional director, and Abderrazek Krimi, whose longstanding commitment to refugee protection embodies core humanitarian principles. Their prosecution risks further normalizing the criminalization of humanitarian work and damaging Tunisia’s international standing.

The continued detention of humanitarian leader Saadia Mosbah further illustrates the growing crackdown on independent civil society voices in Tunisia. Protect Humanitarians reiterates its call for her immediate release and urges supporters to share and support the petition demanding her release.

Protect Humanitarians calls on the European Union and its Member States to urgently reassess their engagement with the Tunisian authorities considering the continued deterioration of human rights and civic freedoms in the country.

“European leaders cannot remain silent while humanitarian workers and refugee defenders face prosecution and imprisonment. The European Union should publicly condemn the criminalization of humanitarian assistance and ensure that cooperation with Tunisia fully complies with international human rights standards. Humanitarian action is not a crime,” said Olivier Vandecasteele, the Founder and Director of Protect Humanitarians.

Tunisia is a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These obligations require the protection of freedom of association, due process, and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers — not the punishment of those providing humanitarian assistance.

Protect Humanitarians calls on the Tunisian authorities to:

• End the judicial harassment of humanitarian organizations and civil society actors;
• Lift all restrictive measures targeting the Tunisian Council for Refugees, Mnemty, Terre d’Asile Tunisia, and other impacted NGOs;
• Restore a safe and enabling environment for organizations supporting refugees and asylum seekers;
• Ensure that humanitarian assistance and refugee protection are never treated as criminal acts.

Protect Humanitarians further calls on the international community, United Nations agencies, African institutions, and Tunisia’s international partners to speak out against the criminalization of humanitarian work and support Tunisian civil society actors facing escalating repression.

Protect Humanitarians stands in solidarity with Mustapha Djemali, Abderrazek Krimi, Saadia Mosbah, and all humanitarian workers in Tunisia defending human dignity under increasing pressure.