Gabès Court Rejects Immediate Shutdown of Tunisian Chemical Group’s Polluting Units
The First‑Instance Court of Gabès delivered its judgment on Thursday in the summary‑procedure case that sought an immediate halt to the polluting activities of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The court rejected the injunction request on the grounds that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence of damage, the collective “Stop Pollution” announced on its Facebook page.
Background of the Legal Fight
- The case, whose ruling has been postponed several times, was brought before the judiciary by the Regional Bar Association.
- Its aim: to force the cessation of GCT’s polluting units, in tandem with popular movements demanding the dismantling of the facilities and expressing the residents of Gabès’ opposition to any coexistence with pollution.
Timeline of the “Stop Pollution” Mobilisations
| Date | Location | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | In front of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, Tunis | First public protest against GCT |
| 23 May 2025 | Governorate headquarters, Gabès | Follow‑up protest after the Council of Ministers (5 March 2025) adopted a series of decisions that:
|
Surge of Environmental Incidents
The protests reached their peak last October after a wave of unusual and dangerous gas leaks from the chemical complex. The leaks caused more than 300 cases of asphyxiation, affecting schoolchildren and minors.
“The environmental crisis has persisted for over 53 years in Gabès, stalling development and destroying the foundations of a decent life in a region with unique characteristics. Industrial chemical activity has devastated the Gulf of Gabès, wiping out 93 % of marine biodiversity and harming the only maritime oasis in the Mediterranean. It has also exhausted water resources, deteriorated public health, and spread dangerous diseases,” the Stop Pollution collective emphasized.
What This Means for Gabès
- Legal outcome: The court’s decision means GCT can continue its operations for now, despite community outcry.
- Public pressure: Ongoing protests and the recent health emergency keep the issue in the national spotlight.
- Environmental stakes: The Gulf of Gabès, once a thriving marine ecosystem, remains under severe threat, with long‑term implications for biodiversity, tourism, and local livelihoods.
The “Stop Pollution” collective continues to call for stronger legal action and immediate environmental safeguards to protect Gabès and its surrounding ecosystems.
