Tunisia

An Open Letter: Dear H.E Moussa Faki We the undersigned groups, movements, and organizations in Africa and the diaspora are deeply concerned about the situation of black Africans in Tunisia following the recent racist remarks made by the current President of Tunisia, Mr. Kais Saied. While meeting his national security officials, he said inter alia, “The undeclared goal of the successive waves of illegal immigration is to consider Tunisia a purely African country that has no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations”. Since his remarks, fellow Africans have been continuously harassed and attacked in Tunisia, evicted from their rented accommodation, and threatened. Admittedly, discrimination against fellow Africans in Tunisia is not new. However, the statements made and the position taken by President Saied are signs of his intention to institutionalise this hate and racism into national policy, a dangerous prospect indeed. We join the African Union, and well-meaning individuals and organizations in Tunisia, the continent, and Diasporas in condemning President Saied’s racist remarks. As a member of the African Union, Tunisia, must treat people from any part of Africa - East, West, South, Central, or North - with absolute equality, respect, and hospitality. While the statement issued by the Chairperson is commendable, it is necessary to take further action and hold President Saied responsible for his racist remarks that have put the lives of fellow Africans in danger. We call on the African Union Commission to: Investigate any cases of abuse suffered by fellow Africans following the comments by President Saied. Hold President Saied personally responsible for any attacks against fellow Africans in Tunisia, including threats to life, injury, and death following his remarks Subject President Saied’s conduct to the test of upholding the principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and the AU Charter on Human Rights. Put pressure on …

Ned Price, Department Spokesperson December 19, 2022 [Excerpt] QUESTION: At COP15 there was an agreement announced in the early hours today. Do you have any broader – any broader reaction to that? How important is that, and particularly the role of China? China was heading this – at least the diplomacy. Some people say this shows China is stepping up its game diplomatically. How do you – how do you see that? Do you see — MR PRICE: Well, we were all quite pleased to see the good news that emanated from Montreal earlier today, namely that the delegates to COP15, the Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP15, adopted a sweeping and ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework committing the world for the first time to conserving and/or protecting 30 percent of global lands and waters by 2030. The Global Biodiversity Framework is the turning point we think we need to combat the biodiversity crisis and leave a better world for future generations. We’re grateful to the work of all of the delegates who were there, including our Special Envoy and Assistant Secretary Monica Medina, who led the U.S. delegation and the U.S. team that accompanied her there. We’re really thrilled to see this. We see this as the culmination of not only this COP but really years of effort with the results being a framework that makes clear ambitious and measurable goals and targets coupled with review efforts as well to track that progress. We look forward to working with all of our partners to reach the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 2030 targets. Of course it’s important to have targets, but it’s arguably even more important to achieve those targets and to make sure the hard work that went into this framework is actually translated into the concrete results that we hope to see in the coming year. Achieving this, what is called a 30×30 target, is not only important for biodiversity, but for also supporting nature’s resilience in climate impacts and contributing to a sustainable and …

Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State July 28, 2022 The United States strongly supports Tunisia’s democracy and the aspirations of the Tunisian people for a secure and prosperous future. Tunisia’s July 25 constitutional referendum was marked by low voter participation. We share the concerns expressed by many Tunisians that the process of drafting the new constitution limited the scope for genuine debate and also that the new constitution could weaken Tunisia’s democracy and erode respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. An inclusive and transparent reform process is crucial going forward to begin to restore the confidence of the millions of Tunisians who either did not participate in the referendum or opposed the new constitution. In particular, we urge the swift adoption of an inclusive electoral law that facilitates the broadest possible participation in legislative elections planned for December, including among those who opposed or boycotted the constitutional referendum. We also commend the dynamic role played by Tunisia’s vibrant civil society in building an inclusive political future. Tunisia has experienced an alarming erosion of democratic norms over the past year and reversed many of the Tunisian people’s hard-won gains since 2011. Since July 25, 2021, the suspension of constitutional governance, consolidation of executive power, and weakening of independent institutions have raised deep questions about Tunisia’s democratic path, both in Tunisia and internationally. In coordination with our allies and partners, the United States has and will continue to use all tools at our disposal to support the Tunisian people in forging a democratic and accountable government that preserves the space for free debate and dissent, safeguards the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, promotes long-term prosperity, respects judicial independence and the rule of law, and establishes the checks and balances critical to the health of …