International Publishers Association (IPA)

IFEX-TMG members have written to the IAJ to appeal for support for judges, who are being persecuted for openly calling for judicial independence or for criticising the government.

In a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, IPA expressed deep concern over the fate of Tragyal and called for his release from prison.

The IFEX-TMG strongly condemns the 15 July arrest of journalist Fahem Boukaddous, who is in poor health, and calls on Tunisia’s partners to speak out to help save his life.

The IFEX-TMG urges authorities to end to the “shameful use of the judiciary to stifle free expression and punish critical journalists” follow ing confirmation of a four-year sentence for Fahem Boukaddous.

The IFEX-TMG, a coalition of 20 IFEX members, condemns the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies’ adoption of a new law hastily tailored to stifle freedom of expression both inside and outside the country.

IPA and WiPC condemn the conviction of N. Mehmet Güler but welcome the acquittal of his publisher, Ragip Zarakolu.

Following a recent mission, members of the TMG concluded in their new report that Tunisia needs a truly independent judiciary to reverse its worsening record on human rights and treatment of prisoners of opinion.

Members of the TMG invite the Washington Media Group to take the opportunity of its new relationship with Tunisia to point out to the government that the best way to improve its image abroad is to bring its practices up to international standards of basic human rights.