(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: **Updates IFEX alerts of 14 May, 28 April, 29 January and 13 January 1999 and 24 June 1998** Thursday, 20 May 1999: for immediate release Press release – Tunisia Journalist subject to systematic harrasment by Tunisian authorities Reporters sans frontières is vigorously denouncing the intimidation campaign […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release:
**Updates IFEX alerts of 14 May, 28 April, 29 January and 13 January 1999
and 24 June 1998**
Thursday, 20 May 1999: for immediate release
Press release – Tunisia
Journalist subject to systematic harrasment by Tunisian authorities
Reporters sans frontières is vigorously denouncing the intimidation campaign
against Taoufik Ben Brick, a correspondant in Tunis with the French daily La
Croix and the French SYFIA press agency. On Thursday, 20 May, the journalist
was once again attacked in the street by plainclothes police officers who
allegedly beat him.
For several months already, Taoufik Ben Brick has been the target of various
pressure tactics: anonymous telephone threats, having his telephone and fax
lines cut, police surveillance, having his automobile vandalised, injuries
and pressure tactics during interrogations at the ministry of the interior,
etc. On 28 April, while preparing to travel to Switzerland to attend a
conference, the journalist had his passport confiscated by Tunisian customs
officials. These intimidation tactics are part of a repressive campaign
against members of civil society who criticise the regime’s policies. Since
the beginning of this year, lawyers, students, human rights activists and
union leaders have been victims of questioning, arbitrary detention and
arrest.
In Tunisia, official policies are relayed by media which are under the
influence of the authorities, who do not hesitate to launch campaigns
against opponents. Journalists are subject to surveillance, and, to avoid
arbitrary dismissal and pressure tactics, are constrained by
self-censorship, which has sounded the death knell for press freedom in this
country. The foreign press is also subject to strict controls and all
publications which are critical of the regime are banned.
