Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has plans to (a) monitor or observe the creation of a symposium of democrats in Tunisia, encompassing democrats from all parts of the political spectrum and (b) support those democrats in reaching conclusions on the best way to protect democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Tunisia.

The UK is closely monitoring the political situation in Tunisia. I [Minister Cleverly] spoke to Tunisian Foreign Minister Jerandi on this subject on 11 August and on 23 October. Heads of Mission in Tunis issued joint statements on 6 September and 10 December setting out our position (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g7-ambassadors-in-tunisia-issue-joint-statement-6-september-2021 and https://www.gov.uk/government/news/heads-of-mission-joint-statement-on-tunisia-10-december-2021)

We strongly support the people of Tunisia in their pursuit of effective, democratic, and transparent governance. We have called for continued public commitment to and respect for all Tunisians' civil, political, social and economic rights, and to the rule of law.