Tunisia under scrutiny says PES

1 September 2008

The PES today underlined its support for the women and men who are struggling bravely for freedom, democracy and social justice in Tunisia, and called for the release of activist Zakia Dhifaoui and other detainees.

The President of PES Women, Zita Gurmai, said “European Socialists are particularly concerned about the situation in the mining area of Gafsa where there has been police harassment and a number of arrests in recent months of women and men campaigning against corruption and bad working conditions.”

“As the EU becomes more engaged with in the Union for the Mediterranean you can be sure that European Socialists will be looking to encourage and support those who want to improve democracy, rights and social justice in every country of the Mediterranean.”

“President Sarkozy of France might be more interested in pursuing the economic benefits of Union for the Mediterranean but we Socialists think that solidarity with people fighting for their rights is just as important, and that new social, environmental and political links across the Mediterranean are needed alongside new economic ties.”

“If the Secretariat of the Union is to be in Tunis” said Zita Gurmai  “there will be a special responsibility on Tunisia to respect its people’s rights. Tunisia will be under scrutiny. I call on the Tunisian authorities to release human rights activist Mme Zakia Dhifaoui, who was arrested in July 2008 and is still being held in custody. She must be freed now along with all others who are being detained for peaceful protest and democratic activism in Tunisia.”

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