Tunis: Tunisian activists have raised serious concerns over what they describe as an intensifying crackdown on civil society organizations, which they say is being orchestrated by the government. "Most civil society organizations are in a state of shock today," said Messaoud Romdhani, a Tunisian human rights activist. According to Romdhani, those who voice criticism of the authorities or the situation in Tunisia face widespread repression, with many being accused of money laundering, leading to the suspension of their activities. According to Deutsche Welle, another activist, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the growing fear among people when it comes to speaking in public or working on sensitive issues. "What worries me most is the chilling effect: When organizations face suspension and activists face prosecution or detention, the uncertainty itself becomes a form of pressure," the activist noted. Human Rights Watch has also sounded the alarm, concluding in its latest report that President Ka is Saied is attempting to dismantle Tunisia's civil society entirely. The report states that the government is using tools like arbitrary prosecutions, detentions, and financial investigations to stifle civil society voices. Bassam Khawaja from Human Rights Watch emphasized that this amounts to a total crackdown on civil society in Tunisia, describing it as an effort to shut down all opposition and independent voices. Saied, who was democratically elected president in 2019, dissolved parliament in July 2021 and has since been accused of repressing political dissent and arresting opposition figures. Anthony Dworkin from the European Council on Foreign Relations argues that Saied's goals remain unchanged, focused on consolidating power and removing critics. Despite these measures, public discontent is growing, with thousands protesting against worsening living conditions and governmental actions. New movements like Nafas have emerged, uniting citizens around basic necessities and calling for Saied's resignati on. Meanwhile, an Arab Barometer survey indicates a generational divide in Tunisia, with younger people showing more trust in civil society compared to older generations. Michael Robbins from Arab Barometer pointed out that the recent decline in trust in civil society is mainly among older Tunisians, while younger people remain more skeptical of state institutions. However, Dworkin believes that the notion of a divided society is overstated and that the recent protests are not significant enough to threaten Saied's regime, despite his dwindling public support.