Amnesty International yesterday called on the Tunisian authorities to stop using their “legal arsenal” against activists who “exercise their basic human rights, specifically their right to express their opinions freely and peacefully,” it reported. Anadolu News Agency.
“We are concerned about the use of the legal arsenal to silence critical voices, especially Decree No. 54, which represents a threat to freedom of expression and the right to privacy,” Amnesty said.
Presidential Decree No. 54 was promulgated by Kais Saied last September. It contemplates measures to combat crimes against information and communication, and stipulates penalties of up to five years in prison for those who spread false news.
The international human rights organization also called on the Tunisian authorities to stop using military courts to try political prisoners. On January 21, for example, Seifeddine Makhlouf, leader of the Dignity Coalition Bloc, was arrested after a military court accused him of insulting police officers. Last month, Amnesty said Saied must immediately stop the “political witch hunt” for him. He has now also called on the authorities to respect “human rights and protect the basic freedoms of citizens in accordance with national and international standards.”
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Tunisia has been experiencing a campaign of arrests of politicians, media personalities, activists, judges and businessmen since February 11. Saied accuses some of them of “conspiring against state security and being behind the crisis in the distribution of goods and high prices.”
Amnesty has stated that “the acceleration of oppression in Tunisia coincides with the escalation of hate speech and exclusion, especially against immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in Tunisia.”
Saied delivered a speech on February 21 that has drawn criticism at home and abroad for the “racism” inherent in the president’s words. In response, he said: “Whoever talks about racial discrimination in Tunisia is a party that seeks sedition.”
In the latest blow to the country, the World Bank announced on Monday the temporary suspension of “association negotiations with Tunisia”, aimed at granting loans totaling 520 million dollars.
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Is the President of Tunisia Kais Saied like Louis XIV, King of France? – Caricature [Sabaaneh/Monitor de Oriente].
