Washington calls Tunisia for political reforms, enhance human rights
Tunisia-USA, Politics, 11/11/2005

The USA has called on Tunisia to achieve political reforms and honor human rights. This call was made several days before the convening of the world summit on information due to open in the Tunisian capital.

The US Deprtment Of State spokesman, Adam Ereli, commended what he called the great progress Tunisia attained in the field of economic and social reforms and called on it to achieve similar advancement in the field of political reforms and the human rights."

Ereli was asked about "hunger strike in now eight activists, while on a hunger strike and apparently there were some clashes with police yesterday." He said that Washington follows up closely the hunger strike carried out by a group of opposition member who demand the release of 40 political detainees. He said it is clear it is a worrying matter to see first class activists in the civil society consider it is necessary to take such action.

Ereli indicated to what he called it is an opportunity for Tunisia to make use of the world information summit to prove clearly its commitment to the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression and to respond the matters raised by the observers of the Hunger strike.

He said "you've got some positive moves such as unblocking of opposition websites and release of some 40 political prisoners.Ê On the other hand, you've got a number of ongoing concerns:Ê restrictions on the broadcast media, restrictions on the activities of NGO, treatment of journalists that is -- that constitutes harassment. And it's our view that in the run-up to the World Summit on Information Society that Tunisia has an opportunity to demonstrate clearly and unequivocally and leaving no doubt in anybody's mind its commitment to freedom of the press, its commitment to freedom of expression, and that the problems raised by these hunger strikers are problems that they should take advantage of this opportunity to address."

The summit is to be held on November 16 to 18. The USA was invited to take part in the summit in the person of its Secretary Of State, Condaleeza Rice, whom was announced as carrying an Asian tour simultaneously, defining not who will represent Washington replacing Rice.

Previous Stories:
  Tunisian president vows freedom to the opposition   (11/8/2005)
  Tunisia releases 31 Islamic prisoners   (11/5/2005)
  Citizen's summit challenges UN summit in Tunisia   (11/4/2005)
  US warns its citizens against terrorist operations in Tunis   (4/21/2005)
  Bin Ali hopes for a strategic partnership with Washington   (7/6/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search