The EU asks Tunisia for explanations on the detention of civil society figures and journalists

BRUSSELS, May 14. (EUROPA PRESS) –

This Tuesday, the European Union asked the Tunisian Government to clarify the reasons that led to the arrest of civil society figures and journalists, a request that comes a few days after the well-known lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani was arrested for allegedly spreading false information and make sarcastic comments about the situation in the North African country.

“The EU is following with concern the recent events in Tunisia, especially the arrests of various civil society figures, journalists and political actors,” EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nabila Massrali said in a statement.

Likewise, he pointed out that civil society associations “play a fundamental role in all democracies, given that they participate directly in the social and economic development of the country.” “Freedom of expression and association, as well as the independence of the judiciary are guarantees included in the Constitution of Tunisia and constitute the basis of our association,” he noted.

“Tunisia has distinguished itself throughout this time for the dynamism of its civil society, and the European Union will continue to work together as long as the established legal framework is respected,” he maintained before emphasizing the importance of the “reasons for these arrests are clarified.”