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07 December 2000
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7 December 2000
The Secretary-General's Special Representative on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, has expressed her concern about the suspension of the activities of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and intimidation against its members.
The Special Representative learned with dismay the decision taken on 27 November 2000 by a Tunisian Judge, which was confirmed on 30 November, to suspend the newly-elected leadership of the Tunisian League for Human Rights. This decision, which effectively means the freezing of all activities by the League, was the result of an emergency procedure taken by four members of the League who are known for their ties with the governing party in Tunis, who contested the legitimacy of the elections. The Judge, who appointed a temporary administrator for the League until a hearing on 25 December, has to pronounce his final judgement on the case.
On 29 November, the Special Representative had expressed to the Tunisian Government her strong concern about the legal invalidation procedure which threatened the very existence of the League, considered to be the oldest organization for the defense of human rights in North Africa. The Special Representative was especially concerned that the members, employees and those working with the League could be arrested for their activities within the framework of the organization.
The Special Representative called on the Tunisian Government to end the harassment of human rights defenders in the country and to ensure that the Tunisian League for Human Rights resumed its activities as soon as possible. She recalled the fundamental principles inscribed in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, especially article 1 which stipulates that AEveryone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels@.
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The Secretary-General's Special Representative on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, has expressed her concern about the suspension of the activities of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and intimidation against its members.
The Special Representative learned with dismay the decision taken on 27 November 2000 by a Tunisian Judge, which was confirmed on 30 November, to suspend the newly-elected leadership of the Tunisian League for Human Rights. This decision, which effectively means the freezing of all activities by the League, was the result of an emergency procedure taken by four members of the League who are known for their ties with the governing party in Tunis, who contested the legitimacy of the elections. The Judge, who appointed a temporary administrator for the League until a hearing on 25 December, has to pronounce his final judgement on the case.
On 29 November, the Special Representative had expressed to the Tunisian Government her strong concern about the legal invalidation procedure which threatened the very existence of the League, considered to be the oldest organization for the defense of human rights in North Africa. The Special Representative was especially concerned that the members, employees and those working with the League could be arrested for their activities within the framework of the organization.
The Special Representative called on the Tunisian Government to end the harassment of human rights defenders in the country and to ensure that the Tunisian League for Human Rights resumed its activities as soon as possible. She recalled the fundamental principles inscribed in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, especially article 1 which stipulates that AEveryone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels@.
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