On the occasion of the first anniversary of the assassination of opposition leader Chokri Belaid in Tunisia, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and the FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights) express their solidarity to his family and loved ones. The EMHRN and the FIDH regret that one year after this tragic event that took the life of Chokri Belaid, the instigators and the perpetrators of this act- and other acts of political violence in Tunisia – are still not brought to justice.
The EMHRN and the FIDH recall that this murder took place in a context where the Tunisian government that was then in place showed a lack of action while acts of intimidation and violence were multiplying, targeting in particular Tunisian democrats. The resurgence of such acts of violence, politically motivated and perpetrated by groups that were self-proclaimed as ”protectors of the revolution” and by religious extremist groups against political parties and activists, civil society, but also trade unions, artists and journalists, threaten the political pluralism, the foundation of a democratic system .
The lack of action from the authorities helped spreading a sense of impunity for those who try to undermine the fundamental freedoms in Tunisia and has been an obstacle to an already fragile social peace.
The signatory organisations call on the new Tunisian government to turn the page and to:
- Complete the on-going investigations and ensure their full independence and impartiality, initiate independent and impartial investigations for the cases for which such investigations were not opened in order to shed light on the perpetrated acts of violence and hold the ones responsible accountable before an independent and impartial justice.
- Take the necessary measures in order to assure the safety of the people and institutions that are being threatened or assaulted.
- Finally, the EMHRN and the FIDH call for the implementation of one of the principal recommendations of the National Congress against Violence and Terrorism, held in Tunis June 19, 2013, declaring the day of 06 February as National Day against Violence and Terrorism.