This report is published in the context of ongoing negotiations between Tunisia and the European Union (EU), with a view to grant an ‘advanced status’ to Tunisia in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Against this background, Tunisia took the decision, on 15 June 2010, to criminalize awareness activities carried out by Tunisian human rights defenders on human rights issues in the context of the EU-Tunisian relationship.
The report analyses the policies and practices of the Tunisian State in the field of human rights, and the policies of the EU institutions in this respect. It raises the following questions:
- Did Tunisia comply with its commitments towards the EU in the field of human rights?
- Did the EU, for its part, comply with its own human rights commitments in its relationship with Tunisia, as stated in the Treaty of Lisbon and in the association agreement with Tunisia?
- Did the EU act consistently and steadily in its relations with Tunisia compared to the commitments it made in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), reference texts and strategic guidelines on human rights?