More than 400 former heads of state, scholars, and civil society leaders from over 30 countries have signed an international appeal demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi. The 85-year-old Tunisian scholar and former speaker of parliament was sentenced in June 2026 to life in prison plus 30 additional years. The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) announced the appeal on July 15, 2026.

Broad Coalition of Signatories

The appeal includes signatures from a diverse coalition of global figures. Notable signatories include Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia; Abdullah Gül, former President of Turkey; and Mustafa Cerić, former Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The list also features over 400 professors and experts such as Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama, Michael McFaul, John Esposito, and Donald Horowitz from leading universities and human rights organizations.

Radwan A. Masmoudi, Ph.D., President of CSID, emphasized the unified nature of the appeal. "This is a global chorus of former presidents, scholars, and human rights defenders — people who do not agree on much else — saying with one voice that an 85-year-old man should not die in prison for his political beliefs," Masmoudi said.

Background and Legal Status

Ghannouchi is the president of Tunisia's Ennahdha movement and served as speaker of the country's freely elected parliament from 2019 to 2021. His tenure ended when President Kais Saied ordered the military to shut down the parliament on July 25, 2021. Ghannouchi has been imprisoned since April 2023.

His June 2026 conviction resulted from a closed-door trial. Defense lawyers and international observers have stated that the trial reflected the absence of an independent judiciary in Tunisia, noting that courts have operated under executive influence since 2021. They describe the case as political rather than judicial. In April 2026, Ghannouchi was hospitalized following a sharp deterioration in his health.

Call to Action

The signatories assert that supporting Ghannouchi's release does not require agreement with his political views. "Whether one agrees with all of his views is beside the point," the appeal states. "The proper response to political disagreement in a democracy is debate, elections, and peaceful competition, not imprisonment."

The appeal also calls on Tunisian authorities to release all political prisoners and restore judicial independence. CSID is urging governments and international institutions to press Tunisian authorities for Ghannouchi's immediate release. The organization invites additional scholars, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to add their names to the petition at freerachedghannouchi.us/petition.