400-plus scholars and leaders demand release of Tunisian politician Rached Ghannouchi

An international coalition of more than 400 scholars, former officials and human rights leaders is pressing Tunisia to free Rached Ghannouchi, who was sentenced in June 2026 to life in prison plus 30 years. The appeal adds pressure on President Kais Saied’s government as Ghannouchi’s health worsens and calls on governments and institutions to intervene.

Why it matters: - The appeal broadens pressure on Tunisia over the detention of Rached Ghannouchi, a prominent opposition figure and former speaker of parliament. - Signatories say the case is about political rights and due process, not agreement with Ghannouchi’s views. - The campaign is asking governments and international institutions to push for his immediate release.

What happened: - More than 400 former heads of state, scholars, human rights defenders and civil society leaders from more than 30 countries signed an international appeal for Ghannouchi’s release. - The signers include Moncef Marzouki, former president of Tunisia; Abdullah Gül, former president of Turkey; and Mustafa Cerić, former Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina. - The coalition also includes more than 400 professors, scholars and experts from leading universities, research institutions and human rights organizations in the United States, Europe and the Muslim world. - Ghannouchi, 85, is president of Tunisia’s Ennahdha movement. - Ghannouchi served as speaker of Tunisia’s freely elected parliament from 2019 to 2021. - Kais Saied ordered the military to shut down parliament in 2021. - Ghannouchi has been imprisoned since April 2023. - A court sentenced Ghannouchi in June 2026 to life in prison plus 30 additional years. - The appeal was announced July 15, 2026.

The details: - The signatories describe the coalition as unusually broad and ideologically diverse. - Named scholars and experts include Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama, Michael McFaul, John Esposito and Donald Horowitz. - The appeal says the proper response to political disagreement in a democracy is debate, elections and peaceful competition, not imprisonment. - Ghannouchi was hospitalized in April 2026 after a sharp deterioration in his health. - His defense lawyers have called the closed-door trial a judicial charade. - The lawyers say the case was revived years after its original defendant had already served a full sentence. - The defense also says the case relied on testimony from witnesses with a documented motive to fabricate. - The campaign is inviting additional scholars, faith leaders, democracy activists and civil society leaders to add their names at the petition. - More information is available at the campaign website.

Between the lines: - The coalition’s mix of former presidents, academics and religious leaders is meant to show that concern over Ghannouchi’s case crosses political and ideological lines. - The group is framing the detention as a test of democratic norms in Tunisia, not just a dispute over one politician. - The health disclosure raises the urgency of the appeal and may intensify international scrutiny.

What’s next: - The campaign plans to continue collecting signatures from scholars, faith leaders and democracy advocates. - Organizers want public and private pressure on Tunisian authorities from governments, parliaments and international bodies. - The appeal says action is needed now, before Ghannouchi’s condition worsens further.

The bottom line: - A large international coalition is trying to turn Ghannouchi’s imprisonment into a broader human rights and rule-of-law fight for Tunisia.