UN Condemns ‘Deepening Crackdown’ on Opposition in Tunisia

Supporters of Ennahdha movement stage a protest in front of the justice ministry to denounce the arrest of one of its senior leaders in Tunis, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)
Supporters of Ennahdha movement stage a protest in front of the justice ministry to denounce the arrest of one of its senior leaders in Tunis, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)
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UN Condemns ‘Deepening Crackdown’ on Opposition in Tunisia

Supporters of Ennahdha movement stage a protest in front of the justice ministry to denounce the arrest of one of its senior leaders in Tunis, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)
Supporters of Ennahdha movement stage a protest in front of the justice ministry to denounce the arrest of one of its senior leaders in Tunis, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has voiced concern over the deepening crackdown in Tunisia against perceived political opponents, his Office, OHCHR, said Tuesday. 

“Türk expressed his concern over the deepening crackdown against perceived political opponents and civil society in Tunisia, including through measures taken by the authorities that continue to undermine the independence of the judiciary,” OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said.

He said that since Saturday, at least nine people have been reportedly arrested and some detained on security and graft charges. 

Last week, the Tunisian security apparatuses arrested activists, former lawyers and a prominent businessman.  

The arrests included former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri, a senior figure in Ennahdha party, and Mosaique FM director Noureddine Boutar.

According to Laurence, the UN Human Rights Office has observed that the General Prosecutor has increasingly initiated criminal proceedings against perceived opponents, charging them with “conspiracy against state security”, causing offense to the Head of State or violating the decree-law to fight Cybercrime.

“We are additionally concerned that some of those held on charges connected to criticizing the government have been tried in military courts and we call on the authorities to cease immediately practices of trying civilians before military tribunals,” he said.

OHCHR called on the Tunisian authorities to respect due process and fair trial standards in all judicial proceedings and to release immediately all those arbitrarily detained, including anyone detained in relation to the exercise of their rights to freedom of opinion or expression.

The UN also condemned the series of measures taken since July 2021 by authorities, who undermined the independence of the judiciary, including dissolving the High Judicial Council and sacking 57 judges.

Meanwhile, a group of Tunisian political parties called for the release of all detainees arrested since last Saturday on charges of “conspiracy against state security.”

Tunisia’s left wing parties, the Democratic Current, Ettakatol, Workers' Party and Al-Qotb, denounced what they called “the manipulation of the Public Prosecution and security services to intimidate critical voices of the regime, including political activists, trade unionists, media figures, intellectuals, and businessmen.”

For its part, Ennahdha party condemned the arrests and accused the security services of “abducting and prosecuting” the regime’s opponents.



UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
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UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilized in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence.

In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it.

In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli", AFP reported.

It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes".

It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence.

Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said.

"Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said.

Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control.

Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force.

"Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said.