Wael Naouar, Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri and Ghassan Boughdiri, known as the Sumud 4, were arrested in Tunis on 6th March as they were coordinating the 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla had many Irish participants and aimed to break the Israeli siege of Gaza.
They remain in detention over six months later, despite the prosecutors failing to produce credible evidence of wrongdoing. One of those detained has just ended a hunger strike, after being hospitalised for a second time, and the others are currently on hunger strike.
A recent Human Rights Watch report documented a systemic effort by the Tunisian government to dismantle civil society. It’s clear that the arrest and detention of the Sumud 4 is part of the systematic suppression of Palestinian solidarity activism.
Richard Boyd Barrett has written to all TDs and Senators asking them to add their signatures to a letter to Tunisia’s Ambassador to Ireland and the UK and to the Tunisian Foreign Minister demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the Sumud 4 and the dropping of all fabricated charges.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD said:
“On 6th March, Wael Naouar, Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri and Ghassan Boughdiri, were arrested in Tunis as they worked on preparations for the 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla had many Irish participants and aimed to break the Israeli siege of Gaza and open a corridor to bring desperately needed humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza.
“They remain in detention over 6 months later despite no credible evidence being presented against them. Wael Naouar has just ended a hunger strike after being hospitalised for a second time while he others remain on hunger strike and are suffering severe mental and physical health effects.
“A recent Human Rights Watch report documented a widespread, systemic effort by the Tunisian government to dismantle civil society and reported that the authorities are ‘abusing every tool at their disposal to close the space for civil society’. I have no doubt that the arrest and detention of the Sumud 4 is part of the systematic suppression of Palestinian solidarity activism by the Tunisian authorities.
“The arrest and detention of the Sumud 4 by the Tunisian authorities is totally unacceptable, and their plight is now desperate. Therefore, this morning I have written to all TDs and Senators asking them to add their names to a letter to the Ambassador to Ireland and the UK and to the Tunisian Foreign Minister demanding the unconditional release of the Sumud 4 and the dropping of all fabricated charges. The letter will be sent to the Ambassador and the Minister later today.”