Judge Anas Hmedi was until recently the president of the judges association in Tunisia (AMT) and is seen as the voice of the Tunisian judges committed to judicial independence, freedom of association, and the fundamental guarantees for a fair trial. In Tunisia, the systematic dismantling of judicial independence and the rule of law, and the criminalization of the legal profession have severely undermined the protection of human rights, including fair trials.
Since 2021, President Saïed has taken a series of unconstitutional measures to subordinate the judiciary to the executive. In June 2022, he summarily dismissed 57 judges and prosecutors; thereafter, the Ministry of Justice has interfered in judicial careers through informal means outside any legal framework.
On the 1st of July this year, the Court of Appeal in Tunis confirmed the conviction of Anas Hmedi by the Tunis Criminal Court of first instance of 6 April 2026 for obstructing the right to work. Anas Hmedi expressed his view on the developments in his country with regard to the continuing and severe attacks on the judicial independence. The association with his lead as well as other groups of judges called to go on strike, which led to this conviction. Anas Hmedi left the country before the judgment by the Court of Appeal was to be issued, because this conviction was going to be enforced immediately, which means he would be put in jail the next day. He was not notified duly and the judgment was issued by default.
J4J spoke with judge Hmedi about his situation. He left Tunisia, while his family is still there. Although he lost his position as a judge, he is determined to continue fighting for the rule of law in Tunisia and for the independence of his colleagues, who are under great pressure.
J4J will support judge Hmedi in asking attention for his case, for his unjust conviction and for a rapid and careful handling of his case. We will contribute to the initiatives of other international organizations of judges to support Anas Hmedi.
We will stay in close contact.
https://www.iaj-uim.org/iuw/statement-in-support-of-judge-anas-hmedi-tunisia-2/
L’ONU épingle la condamnation d’Anas Hmaidi : « Elle aurait dû être annulée »
https://medelnet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MEDEL-statement-on-Tunisia-EN.pdf
HRC62: Tunisia Must End Attacks on Judges, Lawyers and Judicial Independence | ICJ
Tunisia: Quash sham conviction and sentence of judges’ association President, Anas Hmedi | ICJ