Targeting and harassment of members of Damj

January – March 2021: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders reported the targeting of several LGBTQI human rights defenders and activists, and in particular the members of LGBTQI organisation Damj, the Tunisian Association for Justice and Equality. For example, on 17 February, Damj member Ayoub Boulaabi was given a five-month suspended prison sentence for “contempt and violence against a public official.” On 10 March, unknown persons attacked the president of Damj, Badr Baabou, in view of security forces. On 18 March, Damj reported that its headquarters had been raided by a policeman in civilian clothing without judicial authorisation. For more information and cases, see the publication by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

Update: On 21 October, Badr Baabou was ambushed and physically assaulted by two police officers. They reportedly said “this is what happens to those who insult the police! This is what happens to those who file complaints against the police!”.

See Damj, March 2021, OMCT, March 2021 and Minority Rights, October 2021.