UN rights chief says Tunisia must end repression of civil society, media

The U.N. human rights chief has called on Tunisia to end what he described as widening repression against civil society groups, journalists, rights defenders and opposition figures.

Volker Turk said on May 7 that restrictions on civic space in Tunisia are undermining rights protected by the country’s constitution and by international human-rights obligations.

The criticism comes against a backdrop of recent actions against Tunisian civil society. Reporting in recent weeks said authorities temporarily suspended the local branch of Avocats Sans Frontieres, and earlier coverage said the Tunisian League for Human Rights was suspended for a month.

Related Reuters reporting in late April also described detentions and prosecutions of Tunisian journalists amid a broader crackdown on free speech.

Turk’s remarks add fresh international pressure on Tunisian authorities, who have already faced criticism over the shrinking space for media and independent advocacy groups.