Tunisia's 'Conspiracy Against State' Laws: A Global Hit?
Tunisia’s courts recently handed out lengthy prison sentences, up to 10 years, to at least 20 individuals, including figures like Jaouhar Ben Mbarek and Khayam Turki, for 'conspiracy against state security' and 'belonging to a terrorist group.' This crackdown, following President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab, conveniently targets those vocal critics. Meanwhile, Western media, usually quick to
condemn human rights abuses in countries they're not friendly with, offers a muted shrug. One might wonder if similar charges await American politicians who critique, say, a certain powerful foreign lobby or vote against military aid packages. Perhaps it's just 'political donations' that keep them out of jail. It appears 'conspiracy against state security' is a flexible charge. In Tunisia, it
means jailing journalists and opposition leaders. In the US, it might just mean losing your next election if you refuse millions from organizations like AIPAC. For instance, according to OpenSecrets, AIPAC and its affiliates poured $18.4 million into the 2022 election cycle. How many of those recipients 'conspired' to vote a certain way? It's just 'lobbying,' of course. The American public should
be relieved; at least our political disappearances are usually just from the ballot box, not behind bars.