18/11/2009
Tunisia can't get advanced status due to tense human rights situation
Since the last presidential election on 25th October 2009, the human rights situation has worsened recently in Tunisia. In a widely-contested election, President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali was re-elected to a fifth mandate. Since the presidential election, the regime has been targeting human rights activists, journalists, political opponents and trade unionists in an attempt to silence any criticism.
The Tunisian regime has not tolerated any kind of critical voices, responding violently to national opposition (as in the cases of Tawfik Ben Brick and Sihem Ben Sedrine) and international critics alike (for example Florence Beaugé).
This happens while Tunisia is looking to receive the "advanced partner status" from the EU. Such a status upgrade would pave the way for a "common economic space" based on the rules of the European Economic Area, a deeper free trade agreement, access to European security agencies and crisis management operations, and regular political summits between the EU and Tunisia.
Receiving this status requires the applicant country to display democratic progress, rule of law, and justice, all of which, the PES considers to have been violated in Tunisia by the current regime.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said today: "The Tunisian government’s actions are unacceptable. It should treat its people and political opponents better. It must stop persecuting those who oppose the government. The regime must respect fundamental freedoms, if it aims for closer relations with the EU. Advanced status for Tunisia is out of question in the current situation."
For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70
