TUNISIA
CONFIDENTIAL
Report by HM Embassy, Tunis.
General Observations
When arriving at the suggested ratings under the various headings, we used other countries in the developing world as our yard-stick. However by any standards we con- sider that Tunisia is not a problem country in the context of human rights.
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
Rating suggested
by Post
There is no direct evidence of imprison- ment without trial. The highest rumoured number of "political prisoners" is 100 out of a population of 5 million. Even "political prisoners" are said to have been tried and convicted for offences under the law. It is worth mentioning that Amnesty International believe that there are prisoners of conscience in Tunisia.
There is evidence of occasional rough handling of suspects and prisoners by police and security authorities. Allega- tions of torture are rare and difficult to substantiate. Amnesty International have alleged severe torture and depri- vation in one case which they have brought to the attention of British MPs.
(iii) Slavery is non-existent.
(iv)
1
2
О
Most
The press, television and radio are Government controlled and, although criticisms occasionally appear, generally follow the Government line. Licences are withheld for opposition newspapers. foreign newspapers circulate freely though there have been instances of temporary bans and censorship. In conversation Tunisians are frequently open in their criticism of the Government and its policies.
3
(v)
The judiciary appears to be relatively free of Governmental interference and cor- ruption. It would however be naive to suppose that in cases where the Government consider national security to be involved pressure is not brought upon it.
1
CONFIDENTIAL
/(vi)