US Under Secretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, underscored “the need to respect human rights, including freedom of expression.”
The United States on Monday expressed concern about the “democratic process in Tunisia” and stressed “the importance of launching an inclusive political and economic reform process in which civil society can make its voice heard.”
This is what emerges from a press release from the United States Embassy in Tunisia, at the end of a 5-day visit by the United States Under Secretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, Tunisia.
The US official met with “senior Tunisian government officials, including Prime Minister Najla Bouden, Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi and Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine, as well as representatives of civil society, including human rights defenders. human rights, anti-corruption activists and journalists,” the statement said.
Uzra Zeya stressed “the concern of the United States about Tunisia’s democratic process and the importance of implementing inclusive political and economic reforms taking into consideration the proposals of civil society”.
“The (Tunisian) government has given encouraging assurances regarding the adoption of an inclusive approach when implementing the political roadmap,” the statement added. The U.S. Under Secretary of State also stressed “the need to respect human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association for all Tunisians, as provided for in the constitution and the International Covenant. relating to civil and political rights.
And the American representative underlined that “the independence of the judiciary is essential to a coherent and solid democratic system.”
Uzra Zeya urged the Tunisian government to “end the trials of civilians before military tribunals and to no longer prosecute individuals for the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression”, according to the same statement.
Tunisia has been going through a serious political crisis since July 25, when the country’s president, Kaïs Saïed, decided to impose exceptional measures, in particular the freezing of the powers of Parliament, the promulgation of laws by presidential decrees , the dismissal of the government and the appointment of a new one.
The majority of political and civil forces in Tunisia, including the Ennahda movement, reject these measures and consider them a “coup against the Constitution”, while other forces support them, considering them a “correction of the during the 2011 revolution”, which overthrew the regime of then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (1987-2011).
