Crackdown on cannabis users back in Tunisia

Consumers of Cannabis in Tunisia are caught up in a new wave of repression reminiscent of the authoritarian days of the Ben Ali regime. Activists and human rights defenders are alarmed by the intensification of the tactics of the police state under President Kais Saied, who made the combating drug use and trafficking a cornerstone of his administration's program.

The campaign of repression

According to Nawaat, In the words of Nawres Zoghbi Douzi of the Alliance pour Sécurité et Libertés (ASL), an independent Tunisian collective blog, Tunisian cannabis users are subject to unprecedented repression, a mixture of arbitrary arrest and violations of fundamental rights. Nawres Zoghbi Douzi, of the Alliance pour la Sécurité et les Libertés (ASL), confirms the targeting of consumers, regardless of their social status. Even possession of small quantities of cannabis can lead to imprisonment. under draconian law 52, promulgated under the Ben Ali era.

These arrests are accompanied by’police abuse, arbitrary searches and raids are becoming commonplace. Douzi insists on the need for legal representation during police custody to prevent further assaults and rights violations. In addition, the provisions of Law 52 relating to minimum sentences contribute to the plight of those wrongly accused, often without due process.

Sacrificing youth: The human cost

Repression disproportionately affects young people, who face preventive detention and the harsh realities of prison life. Despite promises of a better future, President Saied's policies seem to ignore the plight of young people, a segment increasingly caught up in the web of drug-related arrests. The prevalence of cannabis use among young Tunisians has increased, demonstrating the failure of current strategies to tackle the root causes of drug-related problems.

Supporters of the decriminalization of cannabis consumption argue that it could alleviate pressure on the legal system and undermine illicit drug networks. Wael Zarrouk and Dr. Nabil Ben Salah argue for a nuanced approach, stressing the importance of quality control and access to addiction treatment.

As Tunisia grapples with the complexities of drug policy, voices advocating change are increasingly marginalized. Fear and repression silence dissidents, exacerbating the social and public health problems posed by drug use.