February 6, 2021, Sfax - Myriam Bribri, a Tunisian blogger and activist, who documented a security agent’s attempt to assault a citizen, was arrested by the Tunisian authorities. She was charged with Article 86 of the Telecommunication Code - a law that was repealed.

Myriam Bribri was arrested and interrogated on October 8, 2020, by Tunisian authorities following her criticism of excessive force by the country’s security agencies. She was charged with Article 86 which states, “anyone found guilty of using public communication networks to insult or disturb others could spend one to two years in prison and may be liable to pay a fine of one hundred to one hundred thousand dinars”. However, the legislation was already abrogated.

This is not the first time the Tunisian authorities have done this. In fact, Myriam is only the latest in a string of journalists who have faced judicial harassment and intimidation for speaking out. The Tunisian authorities have weaponized drafted and repealed laws against the bloggers and activists in the country in an attempt to shut them down. 

Article 86 is often used in conjunction with Articles 128 and 245 of the Penal Code, and the three articles are now being referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) in the country. Other bloggers and activists who were targeted with these laws include Amina Mansour, ChakerJehmi, Aymen Ben Salma, Sahbi Amri, Hichem Mejri, Ahmed Ghram, and Rami Riahi. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the Tunisian authorities’ illegitimate use of laws to harass bloggers and journalists. The government’s actions here are not just illegal, but also a blatant effort to curb expression and media against its own constitutional promise of freedom of speech.