MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on  Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particularly the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar

14.3.2023 - (2023/2588(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Anna Fotyga, Karol Karski, Angel Dzhambazki, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska, Assita Kanko, Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, Denis Nesci, Adam Bielan, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Eugen Jurzyca, Bogdan Rzońca, Elżbieta Rafalska, Elżbieta Kruk, Ryszard Czarnecki, Carlo Fidanza, Waldemar Tomaszewski
on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0171/2023

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0185/2023

European Parliament resolution on  Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particularly the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar

 

(2023/2588(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 – having regard to its previous resolutions on Tunisia,

 

  -  having regard to the statement of 22 February 2023 by VP/HR Borrell on the developments in Tunisia,

 

  -  having regard to the Association Agreement between the EU and Tunisia,

 

  -  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

 

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A. whereas the EU and Tunisia have established a privileged partnership and the EU has provided significant support for the Tunisian democratic transition;

 

B. whereas in the last weeks Tunisian authorities have arrested multiple political opposition leaders, lawyers, civil society activists, trade union leader Anis Kaabi and the director of a leading radio station, Noureddine Boutar, an arrest that sends a harsh message to media; whereas at least nine of them have been placed in pre-trial detention on unfounded accusations of conspiring against the state;

 

C.  whereas there is continued interference and pressure of the executive on the judiciary, which has undermined judicial independence and rule of law; whereas military trials against civilians continue although military courts lack independence and thus cannot fulfil the right of civilians to a fair trial;

 

D.  whereas violations of freedom of expression and threats on media freedoms continue, inter alia by decree-laws imposing prison sentences based on vague terms such as “fake news”;

 

E.  whereas a crackdown on Tunisian unions has taken place and international trade unionists are banned from entering Tunisia;

 

F.  whereas on 12 September 2022 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights listed Tunisia as a country requiring urgent action;

 

1.  Expresses its concern about the democratic backsliding in Tunisia and reiterates its support for a successful democratic transition and for structural reforms to respond to the socio-economic challenges facing Tunisia, which have been aggravated by the impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on food and energy security;

 

2. Condemns the crackdown of any form of dissent and urges the Tunisian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained solely for exercising the freedoms of expression and association, to end all executive interference in the functioning of the judiciary and to immediately end the use of military courts to prosecute civilians;

 

3.  Asks that the EU delegations and Member States embassies in Tunisia observe politically motivated trials of those arbitrarily detained;

 

4.  Asks EEAS and the Member States to urge Tunisia during the March 24 adoption of Tunisia’s Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council to follow its recommendations and to ensure that respect for human rights and the involvement of independent civil society are key components in their cooperation with Tunisia;

 

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS, the VP/HR, the President, Government and Parliament of Tunisia.