In Tunisia, confusion and anxiety reign in associations. A draft law provides for greater control by the authorities over associations and Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed announced Thursday evening in the Council of Ministers that all foreign financing of Tunisian associations should be prohibited. After the political parties, civil society fears to be the president’s next target.
With our correspondent in Tunis, Oumeima Nechi
At Aswat Nissa, one of the largest feminist associations in Tunisia, concern reigns. Funded mainly by European organizations, the NGO fears it will disappear if the presidential bill passes, explains Sarah Medini, the association’s political analyst: “ This reform will greatly hamper the associations’ programs aimed at filling the void left by the State in terms of solving social problems. “.
The organization issued a joint statement with many feminist associations to express their opposition to the president: ” We hope he doesn’t continue his escalation and back down and issue an executive order. »
❌?The feminist dynamic expresses its categorical rejection of the draft revision of Decree No.88 of 2011, as it carries with it restrictions on freedom of association and freedom of associative work. #Tunisia https://t.co/FuIp8IzNcI
—Aswat Nissa (@AswatNissa) February 24, 2022
For political scientist Slaheddine Jourchi, the bill would greatly weaken civil associations, the pillar of democratization in Tunisia: “ If there is no foreign aid or state aid, then he will strangle, he will kill several important associations in the country. Civil society is the last bastion of democracy. The Head of State could be opposed to a strong mobilization of civil society and international pressure.