Tunisia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme was initially slow and failed to prioritize the most vulnerable, but it improved from July. In July, the President claimed exceptional powers to legislate and govern. Security forces continued to respond to peaceful protests with arbitrary arrests and excessive force with impunity. The military justice system increased prosecutions of civilians, including four people for publicly criticizing the president. The authorities imposed arbitrary travel bans on at least 50 Tunisians and placed at least 11 under arbitrary house arrest. Freedom of expression was curtailed under vague and repressive laws. A refugee was returned to Algeria where he was imprisoned. Domestic violence against women increased. Security forces assaulted and harassed LGBTI activists.
Read MoreRetains the death penalty in law, but hasn’t executed for at least 10 years