WRITTEN QUESTION E-3888/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(13 January 2003)

Subject: New wave of repression in Tunisia

On 11 December 2002, Judge Mokhtar Yahyaoui, President of the Centre for the Independence of the Judiciary (CIJ) and a founder member of the International Association for the Support of Political Prisoners (IASPP), was the victim of a violent attack in the street by plain-clothes agents while on his way to his lawyers' office, and on 14 December he was arrested arbitrarily by men in plain clothes and later released. On 13 December, in the capital, police officers laid siege to the office of two human rights lawyers, Mr Nourredine Bhiri (Treasurer of the National Campaign for the Independence of the Judiciary) and Mrs Saida Akremi (Secretary-General of the IASPP), attacking them and their two children (aged 13 and 15). Mrs Akremi was taken away by the police and released only after seven hours of illegal imprisonment. Dr Tahar Mestiri (medical doctor and member of the National Council on Liberties), who was due to examine Mrs Akremi, was attacked and prevented from visiting her. On the same day, many other lawyers and human rights activists were attacked by the political police. On 13 December, political police arrested five former prisoners of conscience in Gafsa (southern Tunisia), including: Mr Ali Chortani, who was tried and sentenced in 1991 to eight years' imprisonment, and is well known for his activities within the Tunisian League of Human Rights in Gafsa and within the Nahdha movement; Mr Lotfi Dassi; Mr Mohsen Nouissi and two other former prisoners of conscience who have not yet been identified from the town of Gafsa. Moreover, issue 885 of the weekly magazine Réalités, published on 12 December, was withdrawn from sale because it contained an article on the situation in prisons in Tunisia. On 14 December, the author of the article, the journalist Hedi Yahmed, was brought before the Public Prosecutor. Since 12 December, three vehicles of the political police have besieged the home of the journalist Abdallah Zouari in the village of Medenine. On 16 December, Mr Mohamed Jmour (Secretary-General of the Tunisian bar council and human rights campaigner) was savagely attacked by plain-clothes police officers in Tunis.

What information does the Commission have about this latest wave of brutal repression against pro-democracy activists in Tunisia? What is the Commission's evaluation of the development of the economic and social situation in Tunisia? Does the Commission believe that the Union's policy towards Tunisia is politically tenable?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2003)

The Commission notes with concern that Tunisia continues to be intolerant of dissidents and human rights activists. Despite certain encouraging signs towards the end of 2002, freedom of association and expression are still not sufficiently tolerated. The Commission is aware of the particular case of Judge Mokhtar Yahiaoui and its recent repercussions and has raised the matter with the Tunisian authorities without, however, receiving any significant information.

Concerning the economic and social situation in Tunisia, the Commission encourages and supports the reform efforts of the Tunisian Government and, here, there have been significant structural improvements, particularly by comparison with the situation in the region as a whole. Although 2002 was difficult for the economy (fourth consecutive year of drought, the fallout on tourism of the Djerba attack), the underlying economic indicators are sound. On the social side there have been a number of remarkable gains (access to housing, guaranteed minimum wage, social welfare fund) which makes Tunisia one of the most advanced of the Southern Mediterranean countries. However, the balance is still fragile and the Commission continues to monitor the situation carefully.

The European Union's policy with regard to Tunisia, formulated by the Member States and the Commission in the forums designated for the purpose in the Treaty, is evolving constantly in the light of the political and economic situation. In particular, the policy takes account of the essential elements regarding democracy and human rights laid down in the Association Agreement, and also of Tunisia's other international commitments.