Jailed Tunisian flotilla hunger striker’s health worsens

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Wael Naouar, a Tunisian activist and member of the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla began his hunger strike on August 16 to protest at his continued detention.

The health of Mr Naouar, one of four activists who remain in detention ahead of proceedings over their support of the flotilla, has worsened in recent days.

Mr Naouar’s lawyer, Bassem Trifi, who is also president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), said that after more than 25 days without food his client’s condition was now “very serious.”

Mr Trifi, who visited Mr Naouar in prison last week, said the activist had lost 40lb and was suffering from low blood pressure and low blood sugar, as well as difficulty breathing, walking and speaking. 

He was also experiencing pain throughout his body, particularly in his stomach, Mr Trifi said.

Anis Harrathi, an activist and member of the committee supporting the detainees, said Mr Naouar was aware of the physical risks of a prolonged hunger strike, but had chosen to continue because he believed remaining silent was more perilous than continuing his strike.

He said the hunger strike was not about personal heroism but what Mr Naouar sees as a broader injustice affecting him and the other detainees.

Mr Harrathi said Mr Naouar “is not protesting only against his imprisonment. He is protesting against a logic that wants to turn prison into a tool used to silence opposing voices, turn solidarity with Palestine into a charge, and turn civil and political activism into a security case.”

Seven activists were initially detained in connection with the investigation in March. Three have since been released, leaving Mr Naouar and three others, Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri and Ghassan Boughdiri, in pre-trial detention.

None of the four has been convicted of an offence and Tunisian authorities have not publicly detailed the allegations against them or responded to requests for comment on their detention or on Mr Naouar’s health.

But Mr Trifi said the investigation concerns allegations including money laundering, aggravated breach of trust, and forgery. 

Supporters of the detainees reject the allegations and say the case is aimed at criminalising solidarity with Palestinians and efforts to organise another flotilla towards Gaza. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla has described the allegations as unfounded and called for the activists’ release.

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