Migreurop stands with the FTDES in the face of pressure from the Tunisian authorities

Statement by the FTDES.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) hereby informs the Tunisian public of the following:

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the Forum’s treasurer was prevented from leaving the country via Tunis-Carthage Airport while en route to participate in an event related to the presentation of the People’s Tribunal’s ruling on migration issues. He was served with a summons to appear before the National Unit for the Investigation of Complex Financial Crimes.

On the morning of Monday, April 20, 2026, the treasurer complied with the aforementioned summons. During the proceedings, he was informed that these measures are part of ongoing investigations targeting the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights since April 2025, and that his hearing is taking place in the context of a prior interrogation. He answered all questions regarding the Forum’s activities, its sources of funding, and its financial management mechanisms. Finally, he was served with a new summons to appear on Friday, April 24, 2026, accompanied by the same documents previously examined by the Research and Anti-Tax Evasion Unit of the General Tax Administration at the Ministry of Finance.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, while reaffirming its commitment to keeping the national public informed of all measures aimed at curtailing its activities—especially when it raises its voice on national and humanitarian issues—affirms the following:

• Its unwavering commitment, as always, to compliance with the law, coupled with its firm conviction regarding the soundness of its financial and administrative conduct and its respect for the provisions of Decree No. 88;

• Its steadfastness in its positions and principles, and its refusal to separate what it is facing from the political context the country is experiencing and the trend it reflects toward the criminalization of civil society work.

Our voice is always louder.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights

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Find the original version of the statement on FTDES website.