Tunisia: Politics and Government
(asked on 23rd February 2023) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to President Kais Saied of Tunisia concerning the continuing wave of arrests and detentions of prominent political opponents and other critics of his government, including Noureddine Bhiri.
Answered by
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Officials and Ministers have regular discussions with the Tunisian authorities to reiterate the UK's belief in the importance of civil society, strengthening human rights and including all voices in building resilient and successful democracies. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] raised the latest arrests with the Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February, emphasising the importance of space for legitimate political opposition, civil society and independent media. His Majesty's Ambassador to Tunisia also raised UK concerns regarding the arrests with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar on 23 February.