AYACHI
HAMMEMI

Background and Work

Ayachi Hammemi is a lawyer who has built his career representing individuals in politically sensitive and human rights cases. He has consistently challenged abuses of power and advocated for civil liberties, judicial independence, and the rule of law in Tunisia.

In June 2022, Hammemi became spokesperson for the committee defending 57 magistrates dismissed by presidential decree. This role placed him at the centre of efforts to uphold judicial independence in Tunisia, a position that exposed him to sustained harassment and reprisals from the authorities.

In a video released shortly before his arrest, Hammemi denounced what he called a "purely political decision" and announced the immediate start of a hunger strike. He described a deliberate strategy aimed at instilling fear, stigmatising dissent, and manufacturing "internal enemies" to silence and neutralise critical voices in the country.

The Arrest and Criminalisation of His Work

Hammemi began his involvement in the case as legal counsel for defendants. In May 2023, however, he was added to the list of suspects, effectively criminalising his professional work. Formal charges followed in October 2023.

Following the charges, authorities imposed a travel ban and limitations on his public engagement, constraining both his professional activities as a lawyer and his human rights advocacy.

On 2 December 2025, Hammemi was arrested. The arrest marked a clear escalation connected to his work defending dismissed judges and advocating for human rights in Tunisia.

Legal Proceedings

Hammemi has been targeted in multiple judicial proceedings. One case is based on Decree-Law 54 concerning alleged violations of information and communication systems. The charges arose from statements he made as a lawyer criticising the Minister of Justice for failing to comply with a court order reinstating judges dismissed in 2022.

At first instance, Hammemi was sentenced to eight years in prison. On appeal, the sentence was reduced to five years of imprisonment accompanied by two years of administrative supervision. Despite the reduction, the sentence remains severe and disproportionate.

The case raises serious concerns about judicial independence, the criminalisation of legal defence work, and violations of fair trial guarantees in Tunisia.

Detention Conditions and Health

On 12 January 2026, Hammemi's family reported that prison authorities had arbitrarily denied his lawyers' requests to visit him, further restricting his right to legal counsel.

In protest of his detention and conviction, Hammemi initiated a hunger strike on 2 December 2025, the day of his arrest. The strike lasted 43 days and ended on 14 January 2026.

During the hunger strike, Hammemi experienced significant weight loss and his physical condition deteriorated sharply. Vital organs were at risk of failure, and he faced imminent risk of coma or death. Medical evidence and testimonies from his lawyers confirm that his health reached a critical stage due to the prolonged hunger strike.

He remains in a fragile state, requiring ongoing medical monitoring and urgent care. The authorities bear full responsibility for safeguarding his life and physical integrity.

Violations of Fair Trial and International Law

Hammemi's prosecution exemplifies the troubling trend of targeting lawyers for performing their professional duties, in violation of international standards protecting legal independence and the right to defence.

The case involves the conflation of roles between lawyer and accused, disproportionate sentencing, and apparent retaliation for his human rights advocacy, all of which undermine the right to a fair and impartial trial.

The restrictions on access to legal counsel, arbitrary detention, and treatment in prison contravene Article 9, 14, and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), and the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

Tunisia has obligations under the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders to protect individuals who peacefully defend human rights. Hammemi's arrest, detention, and life-threatening hunger strike clearly violate these obligations and contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation against lawyers and human rights defenders in the country.