Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Tunisia following the sentencing of (1) imprisonment, and (2) a fine, of Mr Rached Ghannouchi, leader of that country’s largest political party.

We monitor the political and human rights situation in Tunisia closely. On 18 April, I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made clear the UK's view that the recent wave of arrests, including of Rached Ghannouchi and restrictions on political opposition in Tunisia were eroding the space for plurality. I reiterated this message during my meeting with the Tunisian Foreign Minister on 4 May. The UK continues to urge the Tunisian Government to respect the principles and values of an open and democratic society at every available opportunity.