Physical Attacks Against LGBTI Rights Defender Bouhdid Belhedi
On 29 August 2016, an unknown man physically assaulted LGBTQ rights defender Mr. Bouhdid Belhedi in central Tunis, after the man recognised his affiliation to Shams LGBTI rights association. The incident took place in plain view of many passersby, as well as a police officer.
This is not the first the Bouhdid Belhedi has been subjected to assault and threats. On 27 April 2016, a group of three young men brutally assaulted him in his hometown of Hammamet.
Bouhdid Belhedi is a defender of the LGBTI community working on the defence of sexual minorities in Tunisia and against homophobia. He is a member of the Executive Bureau of Shams, a non-governmental organisation which works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer rights. The association campaigns for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Tunisia and spreads values of tolerance and acceptance. After several attempts, Shams was granted official registration by Tunisia's Interior Ministry in May 2015, but was suspended for thirty days in January 2016 following an order from the Tunisian Court of First Instance. An appeal was later lodged by Shams, which allowed it to continue its activities.
On 29 August 2016, an unknown man physically assaulted LGBTI rights defender Mr. Bouhdid Belhedi in central Tunis, after the man recognised his affiliation to Shams LGBTI rights association.
Bouhdid Belhedi is a LGBTI defender working on the defence of sexual minorities in Tunisia and against homophobia. He is a member of the Executive Bureau of Shams, a non governmental organisation which works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights. The association campaigns for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Tunisia and encourages values of tolerance and acceptance of the LGBTI community.
On 29 August 2016 at approximately 10:00 a.m., an unknown man stopped the human rights defender near the Majestic hotel in central Tunis, telling him that he recognised his face and beating him by punching him in the head, ribs, stomach and kicking his body while on the ground. The attacker repeated homophobic phrases and insults while beating the human rights defender. According to Belhedi, a police officer who was located nearby did not interfere to protect him or arrest the attacker. The assault resulted in several bruises on the human rights defender's neck.
This is not the first the Bouhdid Belhedi has been subjected to assault and threats. On 27 April 2016, a group of three men brutally assaulted Bouhdid Belhedi in his hometown of Hammamet. In June 2015 following an interview given to the television channel Nessma TV about Shams, he received death threats and was subjected to defamatory remarks on social media and by religious leaders. Bouhdid Belhedi has been reluctant to file a complaint against his aggressors due to a previous complaint he made to the authorities which was ignored, and also due to the homophobic smear campaign recently launched by the police against LGBTI defenders in Tunisia including threats of imprisonment and torture. As homosexuality is a crime in Tunisia, victims are treated as criminals and subjected to violent physical examinations to prove their “guilt.”
In a separate incident, in April 2016, an Islamic preacher in the city of Sfax openly called for the execution of homosexuals in Tunisia during the Friday praying sermon. On 2 June 2016, Shams filed a complaint against this preacher to the Tunisian Public Prosecutor, but so far no investigation has been initiated.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about the incidents of physical violence and incitement to violence against the LGBTI community in Tunisia and LGBTI defenders and strongly urges the Tunisian authorities to investigate these incidents and effectively assist victims of homophobic violence to seek justice and remedy.
Front Line Defenders calls upon the Tunisian authorities to:
1. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical integrity and security of Bouhdid Belhedi;
2. Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into incidents of physical violence and incitement to violence against LGBTI defenders, including Bouhdid Belhedi, and ensure the physical and psychological integrity of members of LGBTI community who report homophobic assaults;
3. Abolish Article 230 of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality.
On 27 April 2016, a group of three young men brutally assaulted LGBTI rights defender Bouhdid Belhedi in his hometown of Hammamet, after the group recognized his affiliation to Shams LGBTI rights association. The attack comes amidst escalating violence against LGBTI rights defenders in Tunisia.
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On 27 April 2016, the defender visited his hometown of Hammamet, for a medical analysis and to receive care for a weak physical condition. Before his return to Tunis, the capital, the defender was approached by three men and was asked if he was a member of Shams association. Upon his affirmation, he was insulted, beaten in his stomach, threatened, and was unable to escape until some passers-by decided to intervene.
Following the incident, Bouhdid Belhedi was reluctant to file a complaint against his aggressors due to a previous complaint he made to the authorities which was entirely ignored, and also due to the homophobic smear campaign recently launched by the police against LGBT defenders in Tunisia including threats of imprisonment and torture.
The defender also avoided going to the hospital as he did not have a police report which is required for submission at the hospital in the case of treatment for an assault. In June 2015 following an interview given to the television channel Nessma TV about Shams, he received death threats and was subjected to defamatory remarks on social media and also by religious leaders.
Front Line Defenders expresses concern for the harassment of human rights defender Bouhdid Belhedi, which it believes to be solely related to his work in the defence of human rights, particularly LGBTI rights in Tunisia.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Tunisia to:
1. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical integrity and security of Bouhdid Belhedi;
2. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the unjustified attack against Bouhdid Belhedi, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Tunisia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
