The German government said on Friday it was "
very worried
" about the recent wave of arrests of opponents in Tunisia, calling on the authorities to respect "
the independence of justice
" and "
the rules of the rule of law
" in the country.
Berlin “
is very concerned about the arrest in recent days of many opposition representatives, activists and journalists in Tunisia
,” government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner told a regular press briefing. .
"Deterioration" of the political situation
“
The democratic principles of freedom of expression and political diversity, as well as the rule of law must apply in a democratic country like Tunisia
,” he added.
Berlin “
shares the appeal launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for respect for the rules of the rule of law and the independence of justice
” in Tunisia.
Since Saturday, ten personalities, mostly opponents belonging to the Islamist-inspired party Ennahdha and its allies, but also the director of a large private radio station and a very influential businessman, have been arrested in the country.
The National Salvation Front (FSN), the main opposition coalition in Tunisia, deplored on Wednesday the "
rotting
" of the political situation, after President Kais Saied's decision to assume full powers in July 2021.
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Several dozen journalists and human rights activists also demonstrated Thursday in Tunis, to denounce against these arrests.
"
Tunisia is in a difficult economic and social situation and we do not want to abandon the Tunisian population
", promised Wolfgang Büchner.
This condemnation from Berlin comes two days after a similar position was taken by the United States, which also said it was "
deeply concerned
" by the evolution of the political situation in Tunisia.
President Saied recently responded to criticism from Western countries and international organizations that “
Tunisia is an independent and sovereign state and not a colony
”.
SEE
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