Opposition Leaders Unite in Hunger Strike for Jailed Politician Jawhar Ben Mbarek Amid Health Concerns

Title: Tunisia’s Political Opposition Unites in Hunger Strike for Jailed Leader

Tunis, Tunisia – In a dramatic escalation of political dissent, prominent members of Tunisia’s opposition have announced a collective hunger strike in solidarity with Jawhar Ben Mbarek, a leading figure in the National Salvation Front, who has been imprisoned since February 2023. After nine days without food, concerns are mounting over Ben Mbarek’s deteriorating health, prompting his family and political allies to take a stand.

During a press conference in the capital, Tunis, Ben Mbarek’s father, veteran activist Ezzeddine Hazgui, expressed grave concerns about his son’s condition. “He is in a worrisome state, and his health is deteriorating,” Hazgui stated, announcing that his family would also join the hunger strike in protest against what they deem an unjust detention. “We will not forgive [Tunisian President] Kais Saied,” he added, underscoring the family’s resolve.

The hunger strike has garnered support from leaders of major opposition parties, including Issam Chebbi of the centrist Al Joumhouri (Republican) Party, who is also imprisoned following a mass trial alongside Ben Mbarek. Rached Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of the Ennahdha party, has also pledged his participation, framing the hunger strike as a defense of judicial independence and freedom in Tunisia.

Ben Mbarek was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of “conspiracy against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group,” a verdict widely criticized by human rights organizations as politically motivated. His case is emblematic of the broader crackdown on dissent that has characterized President Saied’s administration since he assumed power in 2019.

Since Saied’s controversial power grab in July 2021, which included dissolving parliament and ruling by decree, many critics have faced imprisonment. Rights groups have reported a significant decline in civil liberties, with media figures and lawyers being prosecuted under a stringent “fake news” law enacted in 2022.

The Tunisian League for Human Rights has highlighted attempts to persuade Ben Mbarek to end his hunger strike, but he remains steadfast, committed to his cause. “I will maintain it until the injustice inflicted upon me is lifted,” he has declared.

As the hunger strike unfolds, the prison administration has denied any deterioration in the health of its inmates, a claim met with skepticism by human rights advocates. The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees on hunger strikes, emphasizing the state’s obligation to protect their lives and ensure adequate medical care.

Ben Mbarek’s protest reflects a broader climate of political and social tension in Tunisia, as many citizens grapple with the implications of Saied’s governance. His hunger strike has become a symbol of resistance against what many perceive as a systematic erosion of democratic principles and the rule of law.

As the situation develops, the eyes of the international community remain on Tunisia, where the struggle for political freedom and human rights continues to unfold amidst a backdrop of uncertainty and unrest.