Tunisia’s protests and the slippery slope to censorship and repression

 In response to the recent events in Tunisia where violations of human rights were reported amid a protest against poverty and social and economic inequality, Access Now identified a digital policy agenda for Tunisia with a special focus on freedom of expression and privacy. It called upon the government and lawmakers to provide safeguards for human rights through:

  • Immediately ending prosecutions of Tunisian internet users and protecting the right to freedom of expression by reforming outdated laws instead of pushing controversial laws.
  • Safeguarding privacy and adopting a robust data protection law rather than maintaining the controversial law passed during the regime of ousted president Ben Ali.
  • Prioritising user-centric and rights-respecting laws and upholding the fundamental rights of Tunisian citizens and internet users as enshrined in the country’s constitution.