January 14, 2013 marks the second anniversary of the Tunisian revolution.
Engaged in a process of political transition for two years, Tunisian politicians and authorities have a responsibility to uphold the claims of 'Freedom, dignity and equality' brought up and by the Tunisian-do-s during the revolution, including hundreds of them, at the cost of their life. The Euro-Mediterranean network (EMHRN) human rights and the International Federation of the ligues Droits de l'homme (FIDH) called the competent authorities to take the necessary measures without further delay and to commit unambiguously towards the establishment of a rule of law.
Two years after the beginning of the transition, the shipyards remain very numerous. They focuses on such fundamental issues as the recognition and the protection of human rights in their universality, respect and the promotion of equality and the fight against discrimination, the guarantee of the independence of justice and the media and the fight against impunity. Our organizations alongside the Tunisian human rights organizations have never ceased to denounce violations and abuses observed and call the authorities to comply without restrictions to their international commitments.
The Tunisian revolution is part of the regions the most disadvantaged in the Interior of the country, regions whose populations have been long abandoned by the authorities. Demonstrations and clashes regularly observed and increasingly in recent months, these areas testify to persistent discomfort and many expectations of these populations. Measures must be taken urgently and give priority to consultations must be carried out in a serene and calm context to enable a constructive dialogue.
While in the past months, the attacks on freedom of association and threats and even attacks against trade unions and political parties have mushroomed, our organizations emphasize the importance of the establishment of a calm debate, Frank and constructive between the different stakeholders. This is all the more essential that 2013 should be an election year that will see the establishment of a new regime. In this sense, the Tunisian authorities of transition have the responsibility to ensure the holding of free and democratic elections and need to do this, the independence full and the instance that will be responsible for the smooth running of these elections.
The Constitution
The process of democratisation and establishment of a rule of law which has been initiated, is translated by a number of developments such as the holding of free and transparent elections which saw the establishment of a national constituent Assembly (ANC) responsible for drafting a new constitution, which will be the cornerstone of the second Republic.
The Constitution, which will be launched at the end of the work of the ANC must, however, meet the expectations expressed by the Tunisian-no-s during the uprising, the same principles that have encouraged it. The construction however whole rest, while in the State the constitutional text does is referring explicitly to the Universal Declaration of human rights and would not include the formal recognition of the superiority of international conventions on human rights. The consecration of the principles of equality and non-discrimination must also constitute a key element of the future Tunisian constitution.
Equality between men and women
The Tunisia since the beginning of the transition is illustrated by the key measures for the promotion of equality between women and men including parity on electoral lists and the announcement of the lifting of the reservations to the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW). Important, these measures are not less incomplete. The lifting of the reservations to CEDAW must quickly lead to the harmonization of national legislation, especially for what is parity and concrete and effective measures to combat all forms of violence against women in legislation and in practice.
On the other hand, the Tunisia should take appropriate measures to respect the rights of minorities and put an end to all forms of stigma and discrimination towards them. Freedom of conscience must be fully respected.
Rights of migrants
The promotion and protection of the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers must be guaranteed. The Tunisia is one of the only Maghreb States not ratified the International Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families. The Government should undertake to ratify this convention, repeal all laws that criminalize migrants and to ensure that all bilateral agreements on migration partnership are concluded only the prior based on an absolute guarantee of the respect of the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
The recognition of the principle of freedom is one of the main achievements of the Tunisian revolution, the challenge now is to fully guarantee the individual and collective freedoms in Tunisia in the texts and in practice.
Justice
Legal proceedings and convictions to punish the exercise of individual freedoms, including expression, have mushroomed in the past year. It belongs to the Tunisian justice to comply fully with the international commitments of the Tunisia in the treatment of the files submitted.
Independence of justice as well as those of the media, guarantors of a process of democratic transition and the exercise of rights and freedoms must be at the heart of the Government's commitments. The signatory organizations reiterated their call for the establishment without delay or conditions of an independent body to regulate judicial and him offer all means and guarantees necessary for its independence and transparency. The signatory organisations also call the authorities to put an end to defamation campaigns targeting journalists and media institutions, to stop attempts to hand-placing on the public and private media and ensure the establishment of an independent upper body with the powers and resources necessary to undertake the necessary reforms in the sector.
Torture and police violence
The persistence of acts of torture and police violence demonstrates the urgent need for a thorough reform of the security system. The Suppression of peaceful rallies by the forces of order as well as the recrudescenced' acts of violence perpetrated by extremist groups for purposes essentially political in the context of demonstrations in Tunisia is a source of concern. These acts that target particular opposition parties but also trade unions constitute an endangering of pluralism policy basis for a democratic system.
The inertia of the authorities against these acts helped spread a sense of impunity for those who try to hurt the fundamental freedoms, and in particular the freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly in Tunisia. Our organizations call the Tunisian authorities to conduct independent and impartial investigations so that full light is shed on the violence perpetrated and policy-makers have to account to justice.
Contacts
For more information, please contact:
Ramy KAPUSKAR
Tel: + 216 23 774 748
http://www.euromedrights.org/FRA/2013/01/14/Tunisie-sengager-maintenant-…
