Freedom on Pause: Tunisia’s Democratic Unravelling

Hello! My name is Bilel SOYAH, a graphic design student from Tunisia, currently studying at HBKsaar for the summer semester. Here, I feel free to express myself without judgment, especially on political and social topics through my creative work.

I discovered the meaning of freedom during the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. I was part of this historical movement where Tunisians demanded liberty, dignity, and reform. Post-revolution, Tunisia emerged as the most democratic country in North Africa—surpassing neighbors like Libya, Algeria, and Morocco.

Independent media thrived. Freedom of speech blossomed. The cultural scene exploded, with new voices rising—especially in music and art. In 2014, Béji Caïd Essebsi became Tunisia’s first president elected by universal suffrage.

In 2019, Kais Saied came to power claiming to fight corruption and be independent. But after mismanaging the COVID-19 crisis, he seized the moment to dissolve parliament and consolidate power. He wrote a new constitution alone and passed it via a referendum. I voted “No.”

Since then, political tension has grown. Opponents are jailed. Critics silenced. Ten years after the revolution, Tunisia is dangerously close to a new dictatorship, echoing the Ben Ali era.

With this project, I aim to show how freedom of speech is in danger. Without it, Tunisia cannot grow—neither politically nor economically.

Many still blindly trust Kais Saied, while the European Union avoids criticizing him—relying on his regime to manage migration. I’m not asking for interference, but we must ask: is it right to cooperate with a leader who silences his people?

As designers, we must make the invisible visible. Our creativity is our voice—and I’m using mine to speak up.