Paris, 23 October 2025. Since 10 October 2025, the inhabitants of Gabès (a city in south-eastern Tunisia) have been protesting to denounce the repeated cases of poisoning caused by gas leaks from the polluting units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). Created in 1972, the GCT industrial complex uses sulphuric acid and ammonia to produce phosphate fertilisers. Gas emissions are released directly into the atmosphere and solid waste, such as phosphogypsum, is discharged into the sea, just off the coast of Gabès Bay.
Faced with the authorities’ failure to react to the poisoning of hundreds of people and the crack down on peaceful demonstrations, the regional branch of the Tunisian General Labour Union (Union générale tunisienne du travail, UGTT) in Gabès called a general strike. The strike took place on 21 October. More than 100,000 people participated in the peaceful demonstration. The large-scale mobilisation of residents underscores the extent of local discontent and contradicts official claims that described demonstrators as troublemakers or "foreign agents".
Sparked by anger over deteriorating living and health conditions, the peaceful protests were followed by a massive crackdown involving night-time raids, arrests, and arbitrary detentions. In less than two weeks, over 150 people were arrested, with at least 44 placed in pre-trial detention. This included minors, who were often denied legal representation in violation of Article 13 bis of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
"The mass arrests and the indictment of ordinary protesters are indicative of the desire to criminalise protest in Gabès. Most persons were questioned without a lawyer, in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure; moreover, allegations of torture were raised during the trial. Despite the fact that the strike on 21 October took place in an exemplary calm manner, proof that the residents only aspire to dignity and to live in a healthy environment", explained Hela Ben Salem, lawyer and Secretary General of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (Association tunisienne des femmes démocrates ATFD).
The FIDH condemns the arbitrary, disproportionate, and repressive nature of the measures. The criminalisation of peaceful protesters and the official rhetoric used to stigmatise protesters, referring to them as "conspirators financed by foreign powers", constitute a serious violation of fundamental freedoms and pose a threat Tunisian civil society as a whole.
The FIDH calls for:
– the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arrested for exercising their right to peaceful protest;
-respect for the right of assembly and freedom of expression for all persons and organisations involved in environmental protection;
– the effective, transparent, and comprehensive implementation of the corrective action plan set out in the GCT environmental and social audit published in July 2025, particularly with regard to pollutant discharges, waste management, and the protection of the health of local residents and workers; and
– the closure or decommissioning of polluting units that pose serious risks to health and the environment, where appropriate and to protect local communities in the long term.
Solidarity and peaceful protests must never be criminalised. FIDH will remain vigilant and continue to champion human rights and Tunisian civil society.