2 January 2026, GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed their alarm at the new criminal proceedings initiated against Judge Anas Hmedi, President of the Association of Tunisian Magistrates, based on media statements he made as association president and in defence of judicial independence in Tunisia.
“Judges must be able, individually and collectively, to participate in public debate on the organisation, functioning, and independence of the judiciary, in accordance with their duties of discretion and responsibility, and without fear of pressure, deterrent measures, or legal proceedings that could impede the exercise of their institutional functions,” the experts said.
These new charges, coming on top of those initiated since 2022, target him for his work as head of the Tunisian Magistrates Association, through which he has promoted, protected, and safeguarded the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia.
“We are concerned that these actions may constitute a new set of reprisals against Judge Hmedi for exercising his rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and for defending the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia,” the experts said.
The experts have been in touch with Tunisia about their concerns.
*The experts:
- Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers;
- Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression;
- Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page – Tunisia.
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