Chawki Tabib, the Tunisian lawyer who was set to represent Palestine in the International Court of Justice earlier this month, has been barred from leaving Tunisia, a move that prevents him from legally representing Palestine in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
According to local media, a travel ban was issued against Tabib in January, following complaints filed against him by the Free Bloggers Network – a local organisation that addresses fraud and corruption, as they said in a social media post, VisaGuide.World reports.
Upon the authorisation of the Palestinian Bar Association, I filed a complaint today, December 6, 2023, with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague against war criminals, killers of Palestinian children, and leaders of the Zionist entity.
Tabib had made the statement in December 2023, during his last trip abroad, before going back to his homeland of Tunisia. Following the incident a month later, he said that this was the only day he was to be outside Tunisia.
Tabib is also known as the former head of Tunisia’s Anti-Corruption Authority (INLUCC), who in 2020 was dismissed by the Tunisian PM, Elias Fakhfakh, following the feral of documents related to the declaration of assets and suspicions of conflicts of interest against the Prime Minister. Tabib’s dismission was perceived as ‘anti-constitutional’.
The travel ban against Tabib has been interpreted by some commentators as another attempt by the state to silence the movements of its opponents, the New Arab reports.
In addition, the Amnesty Rights Group has accused Tunisian President Saied of random travel ban against at least 50 activists and politicians since he started his mandate.
On the other hand, the government refuses to endorse any legal actions against Israel, saying that such a move would imply recognition of the Israel state.
According to the Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency (AA), the Tunisian Foreign Ministry made statements against Israel and explained their position on an 84-page evidence document around January 10, as well as calling Israel an “occupying entity”.
There have also been speculations that Israel is attempting to improve relations with several North African states, including Tunisia.
However, Kais Saied, the Tunisian President as well as a strong advocate of the Palestinian cause, has addressed all rumours regarding Tunisia normalising ties with Israel as not true and that he passionately condemned the bloodshed in Gaza. Tunisia, like Palestine and the majority of North African countries, are predominantly Muslim.