Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence mentioned that since Saturday, at the least 9 folks have been reportedly arrested and a few detained, on safety and graft expenses. 

Amongst these arrested have been two former judges, a lawyer, a outstanding businessman, the pinnacle of a radio station and the chief of the Islamist Ennahdha political get together, in accordance with media experiences. 

Concern over army tribunals 

OHCHR famous that Tunisia’s Basic Prosecutor has more and more initiated felony proceedings in opposition to the president’s perceived opponents, charging them with “conspiracy in opposition to State safety”, inflicting offence to the Head of State or violating the decree-law to combat cybercrime. 

“We’re moreover involved that a few of these held on expenses related to criticising the Authorities have been tried in army courts. We name on the authorities to stop instantly practices of making an attempt civilians earlier than army tribunals,” mentioned Mr. Laurence, talking in Geneva. 

OHCHR urged the Tunisian authorities to respect due course of and honest trial requirements in all proceedings, and to right away launch all these arbitrarily detained. 

Undermining the judiciary 

Mr. Laurence added that since July 2021, the authorities have additionally taken a sequence of measures which have undermined the independence of the judiciary, together with dissolving the Excessive Judicial Council and sacking 57 judges. 

“We name on the authorities to work in the direction of bringing justice sector laws, procedures and practices into line with relevant worldwide norms and requirements, and thru the separation of powers, to uphold the independence of the judiciary and the rule of regulation,” he mentioned.