10/03/2011 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 10.03.2011 – In a hearing on the situation in Tunisia and the possible Council of Europe contribution, organised by PACE's Political Affairs Committee in Paris on 9 March, participants stressed that the Jasmine Revolution was the Tunisian people’s revolution and that it was for them to build the society and state they wished to have. Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE), rapporteur on this issue, stressed that while PACE could provide them with models and tools, it was important to refrain from giving the impression that “we are in any way patronising them”.
The participants identified areas for intensifying and broadening co-operation with the Council of Europe, in particular with PACE and the Venice Commission, including help with organising free and fair elections and creating the conditions for deep constitutional, judicial, police and media reform.
Mrs Brasseur also recalled the Assembly’s recent decision to establish a “Partnership for democracy” status for the parliaments of countries neighbouring the Council of Europe, enabling their delegations to take part in Assembly activities on an institutional basis provided certain conditions were met. This status is a framework in which specific bench-marks can be regularly followed up by the Assembly, and provides a basis for specific assistance, she pointed out.
The Political Affairs Committee concluded that a new report on the situation in Tunisia should be discussed during the PACE June session, in time for the elections for a constituent assembly scheduled for 24 July.
Participants at the hearing included journalist Bochra Bel Haj Hmida, Member of the National Committee for the establishment of facts during the recent developments in Tunisia, lawyer Sihem Bensedrine, Spokesperson of the National Council for Liberties in Tunisia, and lawyer Anouar Kousri, Vice-President of the Tunisian Human Rights League as well as Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. Representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament were also present.