Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, expressed her deep concern about the sharp decline in the human rights situation in Tunisia since the events of 2011, warning that the country’s gains are now under threat.
Calamar’s statements came after a four-day visit to Tunisia, where she met with human rights defenders, civil society representatives, journalists, and the families of those arrested and arbitrarily detained.
Calamar expressed her concern about the escalating government crackdown on political opposition, journalists and activists, noting that the Tunisian authorities have significantly subjugated the judiciary, leading to an increase in arbitrary arrests of government critics.
“Instead of the political dialogue that used to flourish in the country, we are now witnessing a climate of repression and fear, with many opposition leaders facing arbitrary restrictions and prosecutions, and freedom of expression and peaceful assembly severely under threat,” Callamard said.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General also expressed concern about the increasing violations against migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa, including mass deportations and arbitrary arrests.
She stressed the need to repeal laws that undermine the independence of the judiciary and freedom of expression, calling on the Tunisian authorities to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and to reconsider their repressive policies.
Amnesty International called on the European Union to reassess its relations with Tunisia and ensure that cooperation between the two sides does not contribute to human rights violations, but rather contributes to improving the human rights situation in the country.
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