The detention of Rached Ghannouchi

Written declaration No. 827 | Doc. 16307 | 17 December 2025

Signatories:

Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Ms Magdalena BIEJAT, Poland, SOC ; Mr Jone BLIKRA, Norway, SOC ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Yunus EMRE, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Edite ESTRELA, Portugal, SOC ; Mr Antonio GUTIÉRREZ LIMONES, Spain, SOC ; Ms Franziska KERSTEN, Germany, SOC ; Mr Bekim KJOKU, North Macedonia, SOC ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Max LUCKS, Germany, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Giulia MURATORI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Ms Filiz POLAT, Germany, SOC ; Mr Sebastian RĂDUCANU, Romania, SOC ; Ms Azadeh ROJHAN, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Namık TAN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Gala VELDHOEN, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Francesco VERDUCCI, Italy, SOC

This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.

We, the undersigned, declare the following:

We express our deep concern regarding the detention of Rached Ghannouchi, a prominent political figure and former Speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia. His continued detention raises serious questions about due process, the protection of political freedoms, and the treatment of elected representatives.

Recent developments in Tunisia have heightened worries about shrinking political space, increasing pressure on opposition voices, and the broader implications for democratic participation. These developments call into doubt Tunisia’s adherence to the principles of dialogue, pluralism, and political openness that form the basis of any democratic society.

We call on the Tunisian authorities to review the case of Rached Ghannouchi in line with international human rights standards and to ensure that the rule of law is respected at all stages of judicial and political procedures.

We urge Tunisia to uphold its international commitments and to send a clear signal in support of political freedoms, inclusive participation, and the safeguarding of democratic norms.