The Geneva Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (GCDHR) has register today a supplementary report to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva expressing concern about the systematic harassment of Tunisian MPs by the Tunisian authorities. The CGDDH regrets that the IPU has not taken a sufficiently clear position against these actions and has not recalled the common values of the Union. The CGDDH is also concerned that the recognition of the new Tunisian parliament formed on unconstitutional grounds could damage the reputation and nature of the IPU.
The CGDDH report describes the serious and ongoing violations committed against the Assembly of People’s Representatives and Tunisian deputies since July 25, 2021, such as the suspension of the work of parliament, the lifting of parliamentary immunity, the deprivation of the constitutional right to parliamentary salaries, as well as the usurpation of the powers of all branches of government The CGDDH requests the support of the IPU in order to strengthen the stability and security of Tunisia and the entire Maghreb region.
The report describes the pressure on Tunisian parliamentarians, particularly on the president of the Assembly of People’s Representatives Rached Ghannouchi and vice president Samira Chaouachi. President Ghannouchi has been summoned nine times before an investigating judge on false charges. This represents an ongoing persecution of elected officials and democratic institutions.
The report denounces a wave of illegal arrests and detentions of members of parliament and opponents in Tunisia since February 2023. These arrests have been made on the basis of anti-terrorism laws and false accusations of corruption and have therefore raised serious concern in the international community. The United States and the European Parliament have also expressed concern about the situation.
The report documents cases of arrests and convictions of MPs in Tunisia by military tribunals on grounds such as “undermining the morale of the army” or “damaging the image of the head of state. Deputies have also been banned from traveling, have been bullied, and have had the renewal of their identity cards or passports delayed.
The CGDDH calls on the IPU to support its efforts to strengthen and ensure stability and security in Tunisia and to recognize the Tunisian Parliament elected in 2019 as the sole representative of the Tunisian people. The CGDHR hopes that the IPU will take a clear stand against the actions of the Tunisian authorities and recall the Union’s common values to protect democratic and human rights worldwide.
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