The U.S. State Department has stated that the arrests of opposition political leaders in Tunisia that have taken place over the past week »run directly counter to the principles adopted by Tunisians in a Constitution that explicitly guarantees freedom of opinion, thought and expression.»
Monday’s arrest of former parliamentary speaker Rachid Ghanuchi, the closure of the Ennahda party headquarters, and the banning of meetings of some opposition groups — as well as the Tunisian government’s insinuation that these measures are based on public statements — represent a troubling escalation by the government against its opponents,» said State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel.
»The Tunisian government’s obligation to respect freedom of expression and other human rights is greater than any individual or political party,» he continued, before adding that »it is essential to a healthy democracy and to the relationship between Tunisia and the United States.»
For his part, Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar, in a statement reported by Mosaique FM, expressed his rejection of the »concern» of other countries about his internal policies.
»The laws of the Republic apply to all litigants equally and without discrimination, with all the necessary guarantees provided. Justice is exercised impartially without being affected by the wave of unacceptable comments,» he has qualified.
In recent days, both the United Nations and the European Union have condemned the arrest of Ghanuchi and three other opposition leaders, Belgacem Hassen, Mohamed Cheniba and Mohamed Gumani.
The opposition, mostly grouped around the National Salvation Front, denounced an authoritarian drift of the president and demanded his resignation, especially after his call for a boycott in the constitutional referendum and in the legislative elections of December and January resulted in a high abstention rate, something which they argue reflects the lack of popular support for Saied.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
