- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate
on 27 January 2011 (8th Sitting) (see Doc. 12497, report of the Political
Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mrs Brasseur). Text adopted by the
Assembly on 27 January 2011 (8th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
1. In the last few weeks, Tunisia,
one of Europe's closest Mediterranean neighbours, has undergone
major changes. Local unrest over poor social and economic conditions
evolved into a nationwide protest movement which finally forced
President Ben Ali to stand down and flee the country. The situation
in Tunisia remains fragile and uncertain and street protests continue.
2. The Parliamentary Assembly pays tribute to the courage and
determination of the Tunisian people who, despite violent repression,
have clearly shown the will to put an end to authoritarian rule
and to transform Tunisia into a free, open and democratic country.
The attitude of the Tunisian army, which offered protection to the
people during the troubles without interfering in politics, is also
to be commended.
3. The Assembly condemns unequivocally the use of violence against
protesters, regrets the loss of dozens of lives, and expresses its
sympathy to the families of the victims and those injured. The use
of arms against peaceful citizens and the police action need to
be thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be called
to account. It also regrets incidents of violence, looting and destruction
of property on the part of some groups of protesters.
4. Even if the main causes for the events in Tunisia have their
origin in Mr Ben Ali’s policies, Europe also has its share of responsibility
since it failed to condemn the nature of the regime, preferring
to take advantage of the country’s apparent stability to do business.
5. Political forces in Tunisia must not fail the people’s expectations
and should quickly start political reforms. Political pluralism
should express itself. In this context, the Assembly takes note
of the formation of a transitional government, which includes several
leaders of the opposition. It also notes with satisfaction that politicians
and public figures who had lived in exile can now return to the
country.
6. The first steps announced by the provisional government, such
as the release of political prisoners, the lifting of restrictions
on the activities of political parties and human rights groups and
the pledge to guarantee the freedom of the media, are welcome.
7. However, Tunisians expect full democratisation of Tunisian
society and demand far more comprehensive political reforms that
would make the changes irreversible. Moreover, many Tunisians, both
in the country and abroad, are disappointed that members of the
former ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD –
Rassemblement constitutionnel démocratique), retain key positions
in the transitional government, even if all of them have now left
that party.
8. The provisional authorities of Tunisia must move quickly towards
political liberalisation with a view to creating conditions for
a pluralist political process that involves the whole spectrum of
Tunisian society. This includes a speedy announcement of a date
for elections and the holding of free and fair elections that are
fully in line with international standards. The Assembly encourages
all political forces to contribute in a constructive way to the
setting up of the agenda for reform.
9. The Assembly has repeatedly called for, and expressed support
for, democratic transformation in neighbouring countries, including
in Tunisia. It has unparalleled experience in accompanying countries
in transition and young democracies on the path of reform, which
it is ready to extend to Tunisia. In this respect, the recently
established Partner for Democracy status provides a concrete framework
for sharing this experience with the parliaments of Europe’s neighbours.
10. The Assembly hopes that political transformation in Tunisia
may set in motion democratic changes both in Tunisia and in other
countries of the region. It notes that the developments in Tunisia
have already triggered a domino effect in Egypt.
11. It recalls its
Resolution
1731 (2010) on the Euro-Mediterranean region: call for
a Council of Europe strategy, whereby it stated that peace and stability
in the Mediterranean can only be secured on the basis of democracy,
the respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this context,
the Assembly welcomes the readiness of the European Union to assist
Tunisia in the process of reform, and in particular to help the
country in organising elections, and reiterates its call that the
activities of the Union for the Mediterranean should be extended
in order to include the promotion of democracy, human rights and
the rule of law. It further appeals to the European Union and its
member states, and the Council of Europe member states taking part
in the Union for the Mediterranean, to involve the Council of Europe
in its activities.
12. The Assembly, aware of the danger that extremist elements
may take advantage of any political void and in order,
inter alia, to avoid any risk of
the military being involved in politics, calls on the provisional
Tunisian authorities to respond to the people’s aspiration for democratic
reforms, and as a matter of priority to:
12.1 guarantee fundamental political freedoms, such as freedom
of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom
of expression and freedom of the media, as well as the protection
of individual rights;
12.2 abolish the death penalty and, in the meantime, maintain
the moratorium on executions;
12.3 set up a “truth and reconciliation commission” in order
to establish the facts and the responsibilities of those involved
in abuses committed by the former regime, as well as the means of redress
for those who suffered from such abuses;
12.4 create the conditions for citizens’ participation in political
and public life;
12.5 engage in a comprehensive constitutional reform with a
view to creating genuinely representative political institutions,
and to consolidating the rule of law and the judiciary;
12.6 take resolute steps to curb corruption and nepotism, to
investigate abuses of power committed by the former ruling elites,
and to implement urgent social and economic reforms with a view
to creating normal and equitable conditions for all those involved
in the economy.
13. The Assembly encourages the provisional Tunisian authorities
to intensify and broaden co-operation with the Council of Europe
and to take advantage of its experience during the country’s transition
towards democracy, and in particular to:
13.1 accede to those Council of Europe legal instruments which
are open to non-member states, in particular to those in the fields
of democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
13.2 make full use of Tunisia’s membership in the European
Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) in the
future constitutional reform process;
13.3 accede to the Council of Europe’s enlarged partial agreements
such as the North-South Centre and the European and Mediterranean
Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA);
13.4 establish contacts between the Council of Europe and the
authorities in Tunisia responsible for questions of justice, sustainable
development, culture, education and higher education, youth and
sport, gender equality and the rights of the child;
13.5 study and use, in their respective activities, the experience
of Council of Europe human rights institutions and monitoring mechanisms,
including notably the European Court of Human Rights and the Commissioner
for Human Rights;
13.6 foster contacts between Tunisian and European parliamentary
and civil society representatives;
13.7 consider the prospects for parliamentary dialogue offered
by the Partner for Democracy status recently established by the
Assembly.
14. The Assembly resolves to follow closely the political developments
in Tunisia, strengthen its dialogue with the parliament of that
country and, in particular, with the new institutions following
the forthcoming elections – which the Assembly hopes will be free
and fair – and find appropriate ways for assisting Tunisia in its
progression towards democracy.
