Members of Parliament in Tunisia have introduced a new draft law, No. 027/2023, which would amend or repeal Decree No. 88 of 2011. Decree No. 88 governs associations and non-profit organizations and is considered by both Tunisian NGOs and international organizations as a generally enabling law. Indeed, Decree No. 88 has been referenced as a model NGO law in the Middle East and North Africa region and Tunisian civil society is supportive of maintaining Decree No. 88. In July 2024, reports emerged, however, that the government was also drafting its own revision of the decree. As a result, there are now two draft laws to amend Decree No. 88, which have been developed separately. For further information, please see the Pending Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives section below in this report.
In addition, Kais Saied was re-elected as president of Tunisia with 90.69% of votes cast, although the low turnout reflected widespread discontent in the country. Rights groups fear his re-election will entrench his grip on the only democracy to emerge from the 2011 protests. Tunisian authorities also undermined the integrity of the October 6, 2024 presidential election by amending the electoral law just days beforehand as well as by excluding or arresting opposition candidates and cracking down on political opponents, independent media, and civil society.