Press Release
The ” Committee for Justice” (CFJ) submitted a detailed report on the human rights situation in Tunisia to the NGO Forum, where it was discussed and adopted during the Adaptation and Resolution Recommendations session held within the forum in Banjul, Gambia. The forum is scheduled to present this report to the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for further discussion and potential adoption.
The committee’s report focused on recent political developments in Tunisia, noting the rise in repression and the targeting of dissenting voices. Among the key recommendations made by the committee were the following:
1- Condemnation of repressive measures: CFJ strongly condemned the actions taken by Tunisian authorities, describing them as undermining democratic values, such as the intimidation of journalists, politicians, and human rights defenders, particularly those who publicly criticize the authorities.
2- Necessity to respect the rule of law: CFJ called on Tunisian authorities to ensure the independence of the judiciary and refrain from using the legal system as a tool to suppress opposition or silence dissenting political opinions, emphasizing that the rule of law is the cornerstone of any democratic system.
3- Ensuring the integrity of upcoming elections: CFJ urged that future elections be transparent and inclusive, allowing all political parties and candidates to participate without fear of retaliation or repression. The committee stressed the importance of international monitoring to ensure that the elections proceed fairly.
4- Role of the African Commission: CFJ called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to closely monitor developments in Tunisia and engage with the authorities there to restore commitment to democratic principles and human rights standards.
5- Strengthening international cooperation: CFJ recommended that international partners, especially the African Union, provide necessary support to strengthen democratic institutions in Tunisia, help improve election integrity, and enhance civil society’s participation in public affairs.
6- Accountability for perpetrators of violations: CFJ demanded compensation for former detainees who were arbitrarily detained or mistreated, and called for the legal prosecution of those responsible for these violations to ensure there is no impunity.s.
