Urgent Action: OPPOSITION FIGURE JUDICIALLY HARASSED (Tunisia 114.23)

Arbitrarily detained opposition figure, Abir Moussi, is facing criminal investigation for the legitimate exercise of her rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in two separate judicial investigations. The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) has submitted four complaints against Abir Moussi following her public criticism of the electoral process. She is being investigated under the draconian cybercrimes Decree-Law 54. Abir Moussi is also facing a separate investigation for exercising her right to freedom of assembly in relation to two protests organized by her political party, the Free Destourian Party (PDL). Abir Moussi has been unjustly detained since October 3, 2023, because she attempted to submit an appeal against presidential decrees ahead of local elections. The Tunisian authorities must immediately release Abir Moussi and drop the charges against her as they are based solely on the peaceful exercise of her rights.

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• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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sample letter:

Your Excellency, 

I urge you to immediately release Abir Moussi and cease all criminal investigations that are solely based on her legitimate exercise of her human rights. She is interested in participating in the next presidential elections scheduled in October 2024, according to a member of her political party. Abir Moussi’s legitimate criticism of public processes and officials is protected under international law and she should not be prosecuted for voicing her opinion.

The High Independent Authority for Elections (ISIE) has filed four complaints before the Tunis court of first instance against Abir Moussi based on social media publications, including two videos posted on her accounts in January 2023 where she criticizes the electoral process and describes the legislative elections as “rigged”. Another complaint is also based on an open letter shared by Abir Moussi on June 12, 2023 on her social media channels where she strongly criticizes President Saied’s unilateral actions. On February 21, 2024, the investigative judge of the Tunis Court of First Instance ordered her pre-trial detention. In another case, Abir Moussi is facing two complaints in connection to protests organized by the political party she is leading, the Free Destourian Party (PDL). She is accused of spreading false information. 

I urge you to immediately release Abir Moussi and drop all charges against her that stem from her peaceful political activism. Pending her release, she must have regular access to her family, lawyers, and adequate medical care.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME}

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