Cohn-Bendit (Verts/ALE). – (FR) Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the association agreement between the European Union and Tunisia has been in force since 1 March 1998. Since then we have not had a single major debate on Tunisia, and there have been no topical and urgent motions. Every time one of the groups can be relied upon to say, “Yes, it is important, but you must see that Mr Ben Ali is still just settling in.” We have all read the reports in the papers of the status of human rights and freedom of expression in Tunisia.

I find it outrageous that every time we attempt to discuss this, we are prevented by Members of Parliament and the Tunisian Government. I find it outrageous that one of the two major parties is trying once again to put off any debate or any topical and urgent motion on fundamental freedoms in Tunisia. Our Group is therefore asking everyone to stop listening to the leaders of the two main parties, and instead to act like independently-minded adults and resolve at long last to have a debate on the situation in Tunisia.

Let us have the topical and urgent motion, and we shall see what majority there is for human rights, and what majority uses human rights purely in the interests of its own party and resorts to tactics when the situation is sensitive. In opposition to a tactical stance on Tunisia, and in favour of frank and open debate, I urge you to vote in favour of the topical and urgent motion and to table the situation of human rights in Tunisia.

(Applause)