A resolution tabled in the European Parliament on the situation in Tunisia

A resolution has been tabled in the European Parliament following the situation in Tunisia. © FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

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In Tunisia, arrests against politicians continue. More than two dozen people have been arrested since February on unclear grounds, including charges of "conspiracy against state security". This turning point, denounced as "repressive" by the opposition, is the subject of a resolution by MEPs tabled on Tuesday.

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With our correspondent in Tunis, Lilia Blaise

It is entitled "Recent attacks on freedom of expression and association and trade unions, including the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar". Noureddine Boutar is the director of the private radio station Mosaïque FM, which was arrested on 13 February.

This is the first resolution tabled in parliament on Tunisia, since 2021, on the exceptional measures taken by Kaïs Saïed with his coup de force on July 25. Two years later, MPs recall their concerns about the democratic backpedaling of the country in a text to be voted on Thursday.

German MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen is rapporteur for the resolution: "Currently, Tunisia is on the right track towards a dictatorship. Democratic bodies no longer exist. The President has full powers. Justice is no longer free and the expression of the media is threatened so the situation is very critical so that's why, in our opinion, we must act now and give a strong and clear message. »

► READ ALSO: Wave of arrests in Tunisia of opponents including that of Jawhar Ben Mbarek

Words of Saïed also condemned

The text also condemns Kaïs Saïed's comments on sub-Saharan migrants and the attack on trade union freedoms. MEPs are calling for certain measures following the arrests of the last two months. "We are asking the committee to ensure that European representatives are present in the trials against journalists, against human rights defenders, to show that Europe is vigilant.

This vigilance would also result in possible suspensions of European support for the justice and security sectors in Tunisia. A majority of MEPs have already confirmed their vote in favour of the resolution on Thursday.

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Read on on the same topics:

• Tunisia
• Kaïs Saïed
• European Union