Tunisian Opposition Figures Launch Hunger Strike to Support Jailed Politician
Prominent opposition leaders, including Rached Ghannouchi, join collective hunger strike over health concerns of detained politician Jawhar Ben Mbarek.
In a show of solidarity and concern for the rapidly deteriorating health of jailed Tunisian politician Jawhar Ben Mbarek, prominent opposition figures have initiated a collective hunger strike.
Ben Mbarek, co-founder of Tunisia’s main opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, has been detained since February 2023 and was sentenced in April to 18 years in prison on charges of 'conspiracy against state security' and 'belonging to a terrorist group.' Rights groups have criticized these proceedings as unfair.
Ezzeddine Hazgui, Ben Mbarek’s father and an activist, stated at a press conference in Tunis that the detainee's health is now worrisome.
In response, several members of his family, along with leaders from opposition parties Ennahdha and Al Joumhouri, have announced they will join the hunger strike.
Rached Ghannouchi, an 84-year-old leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party and himself a prisoner, stated that he joined the protest to support Ben Mbarek and to defend civil liberties in the country.
Issam Chebbi, a centrist politician from Al Joumhouri who is also imprisoned, announced his participation in the hunger strike on the same day.
The situation has drawn significant attention, with the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) visiting Ben Mbarek at Belli Civil Prison and reporting a serious decline in his condition.
Despite attempts to persuade him to suspend the hunger strike, Ben Mbarek remains committed to continuing it until what he deems as 'injustice' against him is rectified.
Prison authorities have denied any deterioration in prisoners’ health due to hunger strikes, without specifically addressing Ben Mbarek's case.
Ben Mbarek, co-founder of Tunisia’s main opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, has been detained since February 2023 and was sentenced in April to 18 years in prison on charges of 'conspiracy against state security' and 'belonging to a terrorist group.' Rights groups have criticized these proceedings as unfair.
Ezzeddine Hazgui, Ben Mbarek’s father and an activist, stated at a press conference in Tunis that the detainee's health is now worrisome.
In response, several members of his family, along with leaders from opposition parties Ennahdha and Al Joumhouri, have announced they will join the hunger strike.
Rached Ghannouchi, an 84-year-old leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party and himself a prisoner, stated that he joined the protest to support Ben Mbarek and to defend civil liberties in the country.
Issam Chebbi, a centrist politician from Al Joumhouri who is also imprisoned, announced his participation in the hunger strike on the same day.
The situation has drawn significant attention, with the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) visiting Ben Mbarek at Belli Civil Prison and reporting a serious decline in his condition.
Despite attempts to persuade him to suspend the hunger strike, Ben Mbarek remains committed to continuing it until what he deems as 'injustice' against him is rectified.
Prison authorities have denied any deterioration in prisoners’ health due to hunger strikes, without specifically addressing Ben Mbarek's case.
