Tunisia: HRW calls for ending politically-motivated prosecutions & for free & fair election
Human Rights Watch has called on Tunisian authorities to end urgently politically-motivated prosecutions and to allow for free and fair elections during the upcoming presidential vote set for Oct.06, 2024.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the NGO said as the country is gearing up for a presidential election, the authorities increased repression of dissent and imposed restrictions on free speech, without crucial checks and balances on President Saied’s power.
At least eight presidential candidates have been prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned since the start of the electoral period on July 14, while other candidates are experiencing harassment and intimidation.
The electoral commission has approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied who has compromised the judiciary’s independence and overhauled a number of key institutions following a 2021 power grab, including the electoral commission, the Independent High Authority for Elections (Instance Supérieure Indépendante pour les Élections, ISIE), placed under the control of the president.
“After jailing dozens of prominent opponents and activists, Tunisian authorities have removed almost all serious contenders from the presidential race, reducing this vote to a mere formality,” said Bassam Khawaja, HRW deputy director for MENA region.
“The government should immediately end its political interference in the electoral process, reverse repressive measures, and allow opposition candidates to take part in the ballot”, said the HRW official.
Tunisia is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and is required to ensure that every citizen, without discrimination on the basis of political opinion, has the opportunity to take part and vote in genuinely free elections, said the human rights NGO.
“By blocking prospective challengers, President Saied is burying what remains of Tunisia’s democracy with this election,” HRW said, calling on the international community to act and urge the Tunisian government to rectify an already tainted electoral process.
