Tunis – The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the Tunisian National Bar Association, and the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights issued a joint statement on September 3, 2026, under the slogan “Tunisia First, and the People Above All Else.” The statement began by providing a comprehensive analysis of the Tunisian situation, emphasizing that Tunisia is experiencing a deep political, economic, and social crisis as a result of policies that have proven completely incapable of addressing the accumulated crises. This has exacerbated the suffering of citizens, widened the circles of poverty, unemployment, and vulnerability, and eroded citizens’ trust in the state’s ability to respond to their legitimate demands.
Regarding rights and freedoms, the statement noted a serious decline, characterized by the continued restrictions on political, union, and civil society activities, as well as the manipulation of the judiciary in political conflicts and the undermining of its independence and guarantees of a fair trial. The statement also highlighted that prisons and detention centers are experiencing conditions that fail to meet the requirements of human dignity and international standards, in addition to the decline in media freedom and the suppression of free speech. On the economic front, the statement pointed out that the crises of water and electricity shortages, the scarcity of medicine and basic commodities, and rising prices have transcended being merely temporary difficulties, becoming a direct infringement on the daily lives and dignity of Tunisians and deepening their sense of hopelessness.
The issue of irregular migration and the responsibility of the authorities
Regarding the issue of migration, the organizations emphasized that irregular migration is not merely a security matter, but a direct consequence of despair and a lack of opportunity. They held the authorities fully responsible for addressing the root causes of this phenomenon, rejecting a superficial security-based approach to its consequences.
Political positions and comprehensive national demands
The statement emphasized that shifting blame is no longer effective, stressing that the current authority bears full political responsibility for its choices, decisions, and their consequences after five years of managing public affairs outside the framework of dialogue and participation, and in an atmosphere of transparency and suppression of all dissenting voices. The organizations categorically asserted that “Tunisia cannot be governed by denial, silence, or a single voice, nor can crises be addressed by excluding society and its active forces.” In the same vein, they called for a comprehensive review of the economic and social policies that have proven ineffective, and for the initiation of a serious path for societal dialogue leading to solutions capable of saving the country, preserving its unity, and safeguarding rights and freedoms.
Declaration of the establishment of a joint coordination framework and a call for national solidarity
Based on the historical responsibility incumbent upon national forces, the signatory organizations announced the launch of a joint coordination framework for Tunisia and Tunisians, aimed at upholding the rule of law and institutions, safeguarding the independence of civil society, and staunchly defending rights and freedoms. The statement concluded by affirming that this framework will remain open to all progressive and democratic forces and all national actors who believe in Tunisia and its future, in order to work together to open a new national horizon that restores the value of dialogue and participation, safeguards the future of coming generations, and preserves Tunisia’s unity, standing, and dignity.
The statement was signed by the Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union, Salah Eddine Salmi, the Dean of the National Bar Association of Tunisia, Boubaker Belthabet, and the President of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Bassam Trifi, through which they announced the establishment of a new phase of joint national coordination to confront the escalating challenges facing the country.
