Tunis — 14 September 2026.
After visiting the prison, Bassem Trifi, president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), has issued a new warning about the deteriorating health of Wael Naouar, who has now entered his 30th day of hunger strike.
In a statement published today, Trifi said he found Wael Naouar in an extremely serious health condition, describing him as being “on the brink of death”.
According to the LTDH president, Wael Naouar has lost 21 kilograms since beginning his hunger strike. He is reportedly in an almost continuous state of semi-consciousness, suffering from pain throughout his body and experiencing increasing difficulty speaking and walking.
“He is on the brink of death, but he is resisting”
Trifi said he conveyed to Naouar an appeal from three organisations — the LTDH, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) and representatives of the lawyers — calling on him to end his hunger strike.
According to Trifi, Wael Naouar expressed his thanks to the organisations, friends, comrades and activists supporting him, but remains determined to continue his hunger strike until what he describes as the “injustice” imposed on him and his comrades is lifted, and until what he calls a “farce” is brought to an end.
Ghassan Henchiri: 10 kilograms lost in five days
Bassem Trifi also reported visiting Ghassan Henchiri, who is likewise on hunger strike.
According to his account, Henchiri has lost 10 kilograms in just five days and remains determined to continue his protest until what he considers the injustice against him and his comrades is brought to an end.
Trifi’s testimony comes amid growing concern among Tunisian civil society and human rights organisations over detention conditions and the situation of people detained in connection with various political and activist cases.
“We refuse to sign the farce of our arrest”
Trifi further reported that, when asked to sign the extension of their pre-trial detention, activists from the Soumoud Flotilla and the Palestine solidarity movement refused to sign the official record, stating:
“We refuse to sign the farce of our arrest.”
For ROOTS TV, the rapid deterioration of the health of people engaged in hunger strikes is a matter of the utmost urgency.
When a detainee’s life is at risk, protecting human life must come before any other consideration.
ROOTS TV calls for transparency regarding the health of hunger strikers, effective access to medical care, and full respect for their physical integrity and fundamental rights.
A human life cannot wait.
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