“It is troubling to see Tunisia, a country that once had so much hope, going backwards and lose the human rights gains of the last decadeMr. Türk said, urging the country to “change course”.
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said that in the past three months, the Tunisian authorities have used the security and terrorism law and the presidential mandate on cyber criminals, to arrest and convict six journalists for spreading “false news, information or rumors”.
Civil and military prosecution
Since July 2021, OHCHR has documented 21 cases of alleged human rights violations against journalists, including cases before civilian and military courts, possibly starting to challenge the opposition of the authorities.
Under international human rights law all citizens including heads of state may be subject to prosecution.
“People have the right to speak for and to do so, Journalists must be able to do their work without any undue restrictions,” Mr. Türk emphasized.
On June 15, parliamentary authorities decided to ban journalists from covering parliamentary committee meetings. Two days later, a judge banned media companies from covering two cases of alleged “conspiracy against State security matters” in which several people have been prosecuted and detained since mid-January.
The independent media is silent
“These decisions undermine the principle of transparency in public affairs. People have the right to express themselves and to do so, journalists must be able to do their work without any undue restrictions,” said the High Commissioner.
“Silencing the voices of journalists, in a collective effect, undermines the important role of independent media, too negative impact on society as a whole,” he said.
The High Commissioner called on the Tunisian Government to respect due process and fair trial standards in all judicial proceedings.
The authorities also called on the authorities to stop trying civilians before military courts and release all those who have been arbitrarily detained, including anyone held for exercising their right to seek, receive and provide information.
