The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights in Tunisia, particularly those adopted on 29 September 2005 and 15 December 2005,

–  having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Union and Tunisia, which came into force on 1 March 1998, particularly Article 2 of this Agreement,

–  having regard to its report on the human rights and democracy clause in European Union agreements adopted on 14 February 2006,

–  having regard to the steps taken by the European Union Presidencies with regard to human rights in Tunisia between September 2005 and May 2006,

–  having regard to Tunisia’s appointment to the Presidency of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly on 1 April 2006,

–  having regard to the meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly’s Political Committee on 7 June 2006,

–  having regard to Tunisia’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council and its undertakings on human rights,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas human rights are an essential part of the European Union’s relations with Tunisia, pursuant to Article 2 of the Association Agreement between the EU and Tunisia and the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan,

B.  whereas the Tunisian League for Human Rights Congress scheduled for 27 and 28 May 2006 was not held because of a court ruling to this effect,

C.  whereas the Commission gave an undertaking that at the beginning of 2006 it would reassess, with the Member States, human rights in Tunisia and decide whether additional measures should be taken if there is no progress,

D.  whereas Tunisia has held the Presidency of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly since 1 April 2006 and has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council,

1.  Mindful that since 1998 Tunisia and the European Union have been bound by a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement, Article 2 of which includes a human rights clause that is a fundamental part of the agreement;

2.  Expresses concern that certain issues relating to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Tunisia remain unresolved;

3.  Calls on all parties concerned in the ongoing dispute relating to the holding of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) Congress to engage in dialogue as a means of finding a solution and calls on the Tunisian authorities to facilitate this dialogue; expresses concern that, as a result of the current impasse, the EU funds earmarked for the LTDH remain blocked at the Central Bank of Tunisia;

4.  Calls on the Commission to do everything possible to ensure that the project for the support of reform and justice guarantees the independence of the judiciary and magistrates’ freedom of action; in the same way calls on the Tunisian authorities to agree to a visit by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers;

5.  Calls for the creation and operation of the subcommittee on human rights provided for in the Action Plan;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Tunisian Government.