In Tunisia, civil society and the creative sector are operating under growing legal, administrative, and informal pressures. These pressures have significant implications not only for human rights advocacy but also for artistic expression, cultural initiatives, and independent media—all of which form part of a broader ecosystem of free expression, artistic rights, and the public sphere. The tightening of civic space directly impacts the ability of artists and cultural organizations to produce socially engaged work and participate in public dialogue.
Government Actions and Legal Framework
Since early 2025, Tunisian authorities have increased the use of administrative suspensions, asset freezes, and investigations targeting NGOs, cultural organizations, and civil society actors. Some of these actions reference regulatory frameworks including Decree Law 88/2011, which governs associations, as well as scrutiny over foreign funding and compliance audits. While some suspensions appear to follow formal procedures, rights groups and affected organizations report significant concerns about transparency, formal notification, and procedural fairness. For artists and cultural organizations, this regulatory environment means that even in the absence of direct bans, the anticipation of scrutiny can alter programming, partnerships, and public engagement, leading to cautious self-restraint in the creation and presentation of artistic work.
Arts and Cultural Sector under pressure
Dream City 2025 took place in Tunis from October 3 to 19, transforming the city into a stage for performances, installations, and public interventions that addressed themes of memory, belonging, and resistance. The festival proceeded as scheduled, with no publicly confirmed state suspension, but organizers and artists have highlighted a broader climate of heightened vigilance, informal expectations around “acceptable” themes, and uncertainty around cultural funding and administrative authorizations. This environment, though not manifesting in direct bans on the festival, can influence the content and presentation of artistic work and encourage preemptive self-censorship. Cultural producers report delays in permissions and increased scrutiny of foreign-funded projects, which affects collaborative and socially engaged art practices.
Independent Media and Free Expression
Independent media in Tunisia, including collectives such as Nawaat, is closely intertwined with the arts ecosystem through documentary production, digital storytelling, and creative multimedia collaborations. Founded in 2004, Nawaat operates in Arabic, French, and English, providing investigative reporting, multimedia production, and partnerships with artists. Its activities encompass long-form journalism, video documentaries, and initiatives that merge art, activism, and public discourse. On October 31, 2025, Nawaat was temporarily suspended for one month and subjected to asset freezes following audits and investigations. International journalist associations condemned the suspension as part of a broader pattern of restricting independent voices. The targeting of a platform like Nawaat has direct repercussions for artistic expression, as it curtails the space for media-art collaborations, socially engaged storytelling, and creative critique of societal issues.
NGO Suspensions and Human Rights Advocacy
Human rights NGOs and associations working on social justice, environmental advocacy, migration, women’s rights, and artistic-civic engagement have faced administrative suspensions and legal pressures. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) and the Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates (ATFD) were temporarily suspended in late October 2025, citing regulatory compliance and foreign funding concerns. Organizations involved in migration, anti-racism, and humanitarian assistance have also reported operational disruptions, including detention of staff and temporary pauses in programming. While some cases are documented, comprehensive data on all affected organizations and durations remain limited. The suspension of NGOs has broader consequences for the arts, as many cultural projects intersect with social advocacy, community engagement, and public space, weakening the infrastructure that supports socially engaged artistic practice.
Broader Trends and Implications
The pattern of multiple suspensions, investigations, and administrative pressure indicates a shrinking civic space in Tunisia, affecting arts, culture, independent media, and human rights organizations alike. Credible sources confirm at least 17 suspensions between August and November 2025, with a larger pool of associations reportedly under scrutiny. For artists, this environment raises operational, legal, and reputational risks, encourages self-censorship, undermines partnerships reliant on foreign funding, and alters the use of public space for cultural interventions. Structural impacts are evident as opportunities for artistic expression, cultural critique, and public dialogue become increasingly constrained.
Artistic Rights in a Challenged Space
Developments in Tunisia in 2025 demonstrate that artistic rights, including freedom to create, engage public space, critique, collaborate, and merge art with civic engagement, face increasing pressures. Confirmed suspensions of NGOs, the temporary suspension of independent media such as Nawaat, and the broader climate of administrative oversight contribute to a narrowing zone for artistic and civic freedom. For artists, cultural institutions, and human rights advocates, this situation necessitates vigilance, adaptive collaboration, innovative funding strategies, and transnational partnerships to sustain artistic production and defend public space as a venue for cultural expression and societal reflection.
Tunisia’s artistic and civic space is facing unprecedented pressure in 2025. Administrative suspensions, legal scrutiny, and targeted actions against NGOs and independent media are reshaping the arts ecosystem. Nawaat exemplifies the intersection of media and artistic freedom under threat.
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