Rights group issues international appeal for release of Ghannouchi and political prisoners in Tunisia
The Geneva-based Association of Victims of Torture (AVTT) has issued an international appeal demanding the immediate and unconditional release of opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi and other political prisoners in Tunisia.
In a statement, the association said that, “In light of the serious deterioration in the health of Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi, the former Speaker of the dissolved Tunisian parliament, and the growing threats to the lives, health and safety of a number of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Tunisia, we are issuing this urgent appeal to the Tunisian authorities, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and all international and regional bodies concerned with protecting human rights.”
It urged those authorities and institutions to take immediate action to protect the detainees’ rights to life, liberty and human dignity.
The association said that dozens of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience remain behind bars for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and participation in public life.
It also called for the immediate release of Rached Ghannouchi and Ahmed Nejib Chebbi because of the serious deterioration in their health, in line with Tunisia’s international human rights obligations.
The association further urged the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights. It also called for all detainees to receive adequate medical care, be allowed regular contact with their families and lawyers, and for full transparency regarding their health and conditions of detention.
