Kais Saied asked Tunisia’s head of diplomacy, Mohamed Ali Nafti, to protest to the European bloc
The President of Tunisia this Friday described as “blatant interference” in the country’s internal affairs a resolution approved by the European Parliament (EP), which calls for “the release” of those detained for exercising freedom of expression.
According to an official statement, Kais Saied asked Tunisia’s head of diplomacy, Mohamed Ali Nafti, to protest to the European bloc.
“You can learn lessons from us in the field of rights and freedoms”, said the Tunisian leader.
The official recalled that he summoned the European Union ambassador to Tunis, Giuseppe Perrone, on Tuesday, for “disrespect for the rules of diplomatic work”, one day after a meeting between the diplomat and the leader of the influential Tunisian union UGTT.
European MEPs voted on Thursday in favor of a resolution, with 464 votes in favor and 58 against, which calls for the release of “all people detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including political prisoners and human rights defenders”, according to the EP portal.
In the resolution, the EP cited Sonia Dahmani, a well-known lawyer, calling for her “immediate and unconditional” release.
Dahmani was released from prison on Thursday, after voting on the resolution and after 18 months in detention, having been granted parole.
However, it still faces charges in several cases based on a decree on disinformation, which has been widely criticized by human rights defenders. EP members called for this decree to be revoked.
Meanwhile, a verdict is awaited in Tunisia in a mega trial against around 40 opposition figures and other personalities, accused of “conspiracy against state security” and classified as terrorists by President Saied.
In the resolution, the EP called on the Tunisian authorities to “safeguard and protect freedom of assembly and expression, as well as the independence of the judiciary, enshrined in the Tunisian Constitution”.
In a video released by the Tunisian presidency, Saied also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to “vehemently protest against a representative of a foreign country accredited in Tunisia”, whom he accused of interference, without identifying her.
“Anyone who disrespects our country or ignores international norms of conduct must understand that we will not tolerate this and that we will hold them fully accountable for their actions,” he added.
