Eight years prison sentence against woman human rights defender Saadia Mosbah

On 19 March 2026, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced woman human rights defender Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and a fine of over €36,000. This sentence adds to the two years that she had been held in arbitrary pre-trail detention. The Court also handed down fines and prison sentenced ranging from one to three years against several of her colleagues from the Mnemty Association. Saadia Mosbah and her colleagues were convicted on unfounded charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, and the judicial proceedings were marked by several irregularities.

Saadia Mosbah is a Tunisian woman human rights defender and leading voice for racial equality, migrants' rights, and Black communities in Tunisia. She founded and presides over the Mnemty Association, which combats racism, supports discrimination victims, and promotes inclusive public discourse.

On 19 March 2026, Saadia Mosbah along with several members of the Mnemty Association were handed down combined prison sentences of nearly twenty years. The woman human rights defender was convicted of money laundering and illicit enrichment based on investigations into the financial activities of the Mnemty Association. However, according to Tunisia’s legal framework governing associations, the alleged financial irregularities that provide the basis for the imprisonment amount to administrative violations at most. The charges and sentences are not proportionate to the alleged violations as the cited financial transactions involve modest sums linked to operational reimbursements and service contracts. Further, evidence and testimonies that supported the prosecution of the woman human rights defender reportedly lacked impartiality and professionalism, including prejudicial and discriminatory remarks toward the defendant. In contrast, a court-mandated financial expert report concluded that the association’s financial activities were lawful, transparent, and limited in scale. These irregularities and the apparent lack of judicial impartiality were reported by Saadia Mosbah’s legal team at a press conference on 1 April 2026.

On 6 May 2024, authorities in Tunisia arrested Saadia Mosbah at her home in Tunis. The arrest was part of a judicial investigation against the M’nemty Association. Reportedly, the investigation concerned the funding of the M’nemty Association in connection with its activities supporting people on the move and combating racial discrimination. The following day, law enforcement officers searched the premises of the M’nemty Association and Saadia Mosbah’s home. After the search, the authorities placed her in pre-trial detention at the women’s prison in Manouba, in the north of Tunisia. Several members of the association were also summoned, questioned, and subsequently prosecuted on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, yet without being held in custody or pre-trial detention.

The Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Tunis repeatedly extended Saadia Mosbah’s pre-trial detention, resulting in her detention for nearly two years by the time of the sentencing hearing. On 22 December 2025, her trial commenced before the Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of Tunis. The members of the M’nemty Association who were facing the same charges also attended the hearing.

Throughout her pre-trial detention, Saadia Mosbah reported inadequate prison conditions. She was transferred to the prison of Béni Khalled in the Nabeul governorate, where in September and October 2025 she reported limited access to drinking water, restrictions on receiving books, and limitations on family visits.

Reports from human rights defenders in the country indicate that this case is part of a wide-spread judicial harassment campaign against human rights defenders and civil society actors in Tunisia. Statements by human rights defenders and organisations highlight that the authorities instrumentalise anti-money laundering legislation to criminalise legitimate human rights work and dissent in the country.

Front Line Defenders expresses its concern over the convictions and harsh sentences against woman human rights defender Saadia Mosbah and several of her colleagues, and fears that her prosecution and sentencing is a reprisal for her peaceful human rights activities. Front Line Defenders further highlights the increasing racist rhetoric in Tunisia, which reportedly preceded the arrest of Saadia Mosbah on 6 May 2024.

Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities in Tunisia to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Saadia Mosbah;
2. Overturn the convictions and sentences and ensure a fair and impartial review of the judicial proceedings;
3. Cease all acts of judicial harassment against human rights defenders in Tunisia;
4. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the ability of human rights defenders in Tunisia to carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisals.