Tunisia: on eve of information summit, UN rights expert calls for prisoner release

Citing reported violations of freedom of opinion and expression in Tunisia as the North African country prepares to host the World Summit on the Information Society next month, a United Nations human rights expert has called on the Government to release unconditionally all press- and opinion-related prisoners.

“I have also been alarmed by the polarization of opinions and the lack of dialogue with the Press, two elements which could seriously jeopardize the progress of media freedom in the country,” the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Ambeyi Ligabo, said in a statement, calling on the Government to allow the full exercise of those rights.

He noted that recent reported violations included the banning of a ‘journalists’ union congress, the imprisonment of a lawyer for publishing controversial articles and “smear campaigns” against human rights activists, particularly in conjunction with their right to freedom of expression and of association.

Mr. Ligabo called on the Government to take effective measures for the promotion of a real pluralism, including action related to the increase of media freedom in the country and to guarantee full access to information for media professionals as well as for the ordinary citizen, in order to expand transparency and public awareness.

He also urged it to ensure that all media workers can exercise their profession without any impediment and restriction and to adopt legislation for the decriminalization of defamation and related offences, including norms regarding fair criteria of proportionality in imposing fines.

The final phase of the World Summit is to be held in Tunis from 16 to 18 November and will be marked by “a crucial effort to ensure a better future for less developed societies through the exploitation of Internet resources,” Mr. Ligabo noted.

“Agreements on Internet governance and its financing will be at the core of decisive discussions and could initiate a new era for freedom of opinion and expression through enhanced dissemination and availability of information,” he added.

The Summit’s first phase was held in Geneva in 2003.