Tunisia: Jailing judge signals judicial independence crisis

A court in Tunisia has sentenced the head of the Tunisian Judges Association, Anas Hammadi, to one year in prison, prompting strong criticism from rights groups who warn of a deepening crisis in judicial independence, according to Middle East Monitor on April 9th 2026.

The ruling, issued on Monday, found Hammadi guilty of “obstructing freedom of work”, a charge linked to his participation in protests against the dismissal of 57 judges in 2022. The case reflects ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the executive following a series of measures affecting judicial institutions in recent years.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Tunisian League for Human Rights condemned the sentence, describing it as evidence of a broader effort to exert control over the judiciary. The organisation said imprisoning judges for actions related to their professional and union activities reflects a “systematic policy” aimed at forcing independent judges into submission.

The league warned that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, weakening remaining guarantees of judicial independence and turning the courts into tools of intimidation and punishment rather than impartial justice.

It added that prosecuting the head of a professional judicial body over his public positions constitutes a violation of trade union freedoms and freedom of expression. The move, it said, reflects an attempt to deter independent organisation within state institutions and silence dissenting voices inside the judiciary.

The organisation also criticised the use of broadly defined charges such as “obstructing freedom of work”, arguing that they are increasingly deployed to criminalise protest and critical positions. This, it said, signals a wider trend toward expanding legal restrictions on dissent.

The case is linked to the 2022 dismissal of dozens of judges, a move that triggered protests and continues to fuel disputes over judicial independence in Tunisia. Since then, relations between judicial bodies and authorities have remained strained, with legal action against judges intensifying concerns among rights groups.

The sentencing of Hammadi is likely to heighten scrutiny of Tunisia’s justice system, particularly regarding the balance between executive authority and judicial autonomy. Rights organisations continue to call for safeguards to ensure that judges can carry out their functions without political pressure or risk of prosecution.

Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi.org