(WiPC/IFEX) – Amnesty International has issued an alert expressing concern for the safety of journalist Sihem Ben Sedrine. The offices of her publishing house, Edition Aloes, have been burgled twice in the past month and her employees have been threatened by members of the security forces. International PEN shares this concern and appeals to the […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Amnesty International has issued an alert expressing concern for the safety of journalist Sihem Ben Sedrine. The offices of her publishing house, Edition Aloes, have been burgled twice in the past month and her employees have been threatened by members of the security forces. International PEN shares this concern and appeals to the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attacks and provide her with protection against further similar incidents.
Amnesty International writes:
“On 8 December 1999, the door was smashed and the office was ransacked, but nothing was taken. However, the local police warned Sihem Ben Sedrine that they feared the burglars might return and plant drugs. Sihem Ben Sedrine wrote to the Minister of the Interior, asking for protection and expressing concern about the local police’s warning. On 30 December 1999, the office was burgled again. This time, all the computer equipment and some of the archives were stolen.
In late December, members of the security forces, who showed their identification badges, reportedly threatened one of the employees of the publishing house and said she could be tried on trumped-up charges if she refused to co-operate and spy on Sihem Ben Sedrine. On January 8, members of security forces apparently made similar threats to another employee.
Sihem Ben Sedrine is a founder member of the unauthorized Conseil national pour les libertés en Tunisie (CNLT), National Council for freedom in Tunisia, and a former leading member of the Ligue tunisienne des droits de l’homme, Tunisian Human Rights League. She has faced harassment and intimidation by security forces for many years in connection with her human rights work and political activities, and is under constant surveillance. She is now coming under increased harassment at a time when she is reportedly planning to set up an independent newspaper. Her husband, CNLT Secretary General Oman Mestiri, is awaiting trial for maintaining an
unauthorized organisation.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Tunisian authorities:
- expressing deep concern at the harassment and intimidation of Sihem Ben Sedrine and the employees at Edition Aloes, and seeking assurance that their safety is guaranteed
Appeals To
His Excellency
M. Abdallah Kallel
Ministère de l’Interieur
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
1001 Tunis
Tunisia
Fax: +216 1 340 888
His Excellency
M. Bechir Takkari
Ministère de la Justice
31 Boulevard Bab Benat
1006 Tunis
Tunisia
Fax: +216 1 568 106
If possible send letter of support to:
Tunisian Human Rights League
Me Toufik Bouderbala
Président Ligue Tunisienne des Droits de l’ Homme
LTDH
7 Rue Pierre Curie
Tunis, Tunisia
Fax:+ 216 336 338
PEN also recommends that copies be sent to the Tunisian embassies in your country of residence.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
