In Tunisia, arrests against politicians continue. More than 20 people have been arrested since February on still unclear grounds, including the charge of ” conspiracy against state security “. This turn, denounced as “ repressive ” by the opposition, is the subject of a resolution by MEPs tabled on Tuesday.
It is entitled “ Recent attacks on trade unions and freedom of expression and association, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar ”. Noureddine Boutar is the director of the private Mosaïque FM radio station, which was arrested on 13 February.
This is the first resolution tabled in parliament on Tunisia, since 2021, on the exceptional measures taken by Kaïs Saïed with his coup on July 25. Two years later, deputies recall their concerns about the democratic backpedaling of the country in a text which must be voted on Thursday.
German MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen is rapporteur for the resolution: “ Currently, Tunisia is on the right path towards a dictatorship. Democratic bodies no longer exist. The President has full powers. Justice is no longer free and the expression of the media is threatened so the situation is very critical so that is why, in our opinion, we must act now and send a strong and clear message.”
The sayings of Saïed also condemned
The text also condemns Kaïs Saïed’s remarks on sub-Saharan migrants and the attack on trade union freedoms. MEPs are calling for certain measures following the arrests of the past two months. “We ask the commission to ensure that European representatives are present in the trials against journalists, against human rights defenders, to show that Europe is vigilant”
Vigilance would also result in possible suspensions of European support for the justice and security sectors in Tunisia. A majority of MEPs have already confirmed their vote in favor of the resolution on Thursday.
