Tunisia Escalating Repression Against the LGBTQ+ Community
The Tunisian organization Intersections has released a new report highlighting the increasing repression against the LGBTQ+ community in Tunisia. The report documents rising violence and the systemic denial of justice for LGBTQ+ individuals.
First-Hand Accounts of Discrimination and Persecution
Based on twelve interviews conducted in September 2024, the report reveals the harsh realities faced by queer people in Tunisia. This period saw a wave of arrests and a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Researcher Hazem Chikhaoui, the report’s author, details the struggles of individuals living in a country where homosexuality remains a crime.
Justice Denied: No Legal Protections for LGBTQ+ People
At a private briefing, Hazem Chikhaoui emphasized the absence of legal safeguards for the LGBTQ+ community. “There is absolutely no justice for LGBTQ+ individuals in Tunisia. They have no legal protections, no security, and no access to essential services,” he stated.
Crackdown on Human Rights Organizations
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are also facing increased suppression. Saïf Ayadi, a member of Damj, the Tunisian Association for Equality and Justice, denounced the growing pressure from authorities and supporters of President Kaïs Saïed. “All organizations working on LGBTQ+ rights in Tunisia are being directly targeted by the government,” he warned.
As the repression intensifies, human rights defenders continue to sound the alarm about the deteriorating situation, urging international attention and action to protect the LGBTQ+ community in Tunisia.