UN rights chief calls on Tunisia to release arbitrarily detained persons

The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk yesterday called on Tunisian authorities to protect the country’s democratic processes, uphold fundamental freedoms and the arbitrarily detained, Anadolu reported.

In a statement posted on the UN website, Turk said in the weeks leading up to the presidential elections held earlier this month, over 100 prospective candidates, members of their campaigns and other political figures were arrested on a variety of charges ranging from falsification of electoral paperwork to charges related to national security.

Out of 17 prospective candidates, the Independent High Authority for Elections only accepted three, others received lengthy prison sentences on various charges, it added.

“Such cases are troubling. Their trials indicate a lack of respect for due process and fair trial guarantees,” the High Commissioner said.

The statement added that in another concerning development, the elections authority refused on 2 September to apply a ruling by the Administrative Court ordering the readmission of three candidates and later in an extraordinary session just days before the election, the parliament passed a law removing electoral dispute from the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court.

“The rejection of a legally binding court decision is at odds with basic respect for the rule of law,” Turk said.

“Since 2011, Tunisia had been a pioneer in efforts to ensure accountability and redress for past abuses, including through the work of the Truth and Dignity Commission,” the High Commissioner said.

“Unfortunately, a number of these gains have been lost, and the recent arrest of the former head of the commission is an example,” he added.

“I strongly urge Tunisia to recommit to transitional justice in the interests of victims, and to embark on much needed rule of law reforms, in line with international human rights law, including with regard to freedoms of expression, assembly and association.”

“I also call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained,” Turk added.

President Kais Saied who just won a second term has repeatedly insisted that his country’s judiciary is independent and impartial while the opposition accuses him of using the judiciary to persecute his opponents and potential presidential contenders.

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