The Tunisian Workers’ Party and progressive movements across the world have condemned what they describe as a dangerous escalation of political intimidation, following an explicit online call for the assassination of the party’s secretary-general, Hamma Hammami, one of Tunisia’s most prominent left-wing opposition figures.
This is following a video circulating on social media in which an individual identified by the Workers’ Party as “R.N.,” described as a supporter of President Kaïs Saïed, openly called for Hammami’s murder. According to the party, the video remains online despite its explicit incitement to violence and no action has been taken by Tunisian authorities.
Workers’ Party condemns “open call for murder”
In a statement issued on July 14, the Workers’ Party denounced what it described as “an open call for the murder of the Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party” in a political climate marked by growing authoritarianism and intolerance toward dissent.
The party says that the death threat is part of a broader pattern of hostility directed at opposition politicians, journalists, civil society activists, trade unionists, and citizens critical of the government since President Kaïs Saïed’s consolidation of power following July 25, 2021.
According to the statement, while authorities have been quick to prosecute bloggers and critics of the government, they have taken no apparent action against the individual responsible for the video or to remove the content from social media.
The Workers’ Party maintained that the threats would not deter Hammami or its members from continuing their political activities.
“These threats against the Secretary General of the Workers’ Party will not weaken his determination nor that of his comrades,” the statement declared, adding that the party would “fiercely defend itself and its activists.”
The party also called on Tunisians to reject political violence and resist what it described as attempts to return the country to authoritarian rule.
International Peoples’ Assembly expresses solidarity
The threats have drawn condemnation from international popular movements.
The International Peoples’ Assembly (IPA) released a solidarity statement describing the threats as “open and explicit death threats” against Hammami and warning that the circulation of such material reflects an attempt to intimidate Tunisia’s democratic and left opposition.
According to the IPA, the video repeatedly called for Hammami’s execution and also targeted several other political figures and lawyers with insults and threats.
Hammami is one of Tunisia’s enduring symbols of popular struggle, with decades-long political activism dating back to the student movement of February 1972, as well as his years of imprisonment, clandestine organizing, and resistance under successive governments.
“The threats targeting him today are but a new attempt to silence a voice that has stood firm against every regime that sought to break it,” the statement said.
The International People’s Assembly called for:
- Guarantees for the safety of Hammami and all individuals targeted by the threats.
- An independent investigation into the incident.
- Accountability for those responsible for inciting violence.
And concluded by affirming that “an attack on one activist of the people’s movements is an attack on all of us,” expressing solidarity with Hammami, his family, and the Workers’ Party.
Zoe. , July 20, 2026
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