The United States on Wednesday expressed concern about the ongoing arrests of opponents in Tunisia and expressed support for the Tunisian people’s aspirations for an independent and transparent judiciary.
«We are deeply concerned about the arrests of multiple political figures, business leaders and journalists in Tunisia in recent days,» State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
According to the State Department, it is «a fundamental principle» that people around the world should be able to express themselves without fear or reprisal, stressing that «all governments have a responsibility to uphold» it.
«We respect the aspirations of the Tunisian people for an independent and transparent judiciary capable of protecting the fundamental freedoms of all. We are engaged with the Tunisian government at all levels in support of human rights and freedom of expression,» Price reiterated.
The U.S. statement follows a campaign of arrests of opponents in recent days, including Nurredin Bhiri, a senior member of the Islamist Ennahda party, and Zahr al Akram. Also among those arrested is the director of the Mosaique FM radio station, Nurredin Butar.
In addition to the United States, the United Nations and the European Union have criticized these arrests, prompting the Tunisian government to reject the «hasty» and «impertinent» international criticism, asserting that it «undermines the independence» of the judicial apparatus.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Amar said Tuesday in statements granted to the Tunisian state news agency TAP that the criticism from «some foreign parties» is «inaccurate» and defended that the arrests are part of «serious cases» affecting «national security».
He stressed that these arrests «have nothing to do with political or human rights activities». «Political activists and human rights defenders remain responsible citizens who enjoy all their rights,» he said.
Saied has pushed through a series of measures to reform Tunisia’s political system, including a constitutional referendum, approved amid opposition boycott, which strengthens the powers of the presidency. The opposition has denounced an authoritarian drift of the president and has demanded his resignation, especially after the very low turnout in the legislative elections of December and January.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
