PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 30/31/00 21 December 2000 Further information on 379/00 (MDE 30/29/00, 15 December 2000) - Fear for safety TUNISIA Human Rights Defenders Nejib Hosni, a human rights lawyer and member of the the Conseil National des Libertés en Tunisie (CNLT), National Council for Liberties in Tunisia was arrested today, 21 December, from his home in El Kef, a village about 100 km South-West of the capital. He was beaten by the police officers who arrested him. The harassment, intimidation and strict surveillance of human rights defenders in Tunisia continues. Many have had their telephones cut off. The police continue to guard the CNLT office closely and to prevent victims and families of victims from accessing the building. The office of the Ligue tunisienne des droits de l’homme (LTDH) Tunisian Human Rights League, also remains closed and under the control of the authorities (See UA 365/00, MDE 30/27/00, 28 November 2000). Nejib Hosni, a father of five, is now in detention and will have to serve a 15-days prison sentenced imposed by the District court of El Kef on 18 December. He was sentenced for having resumed practicing his profession as a lawyer, from which he was banned following his detention on trumped-up charges from 1994 to 1996, during which time Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience. The ban was arbitrarily imposed by the authorities without the authorization of the Conseil de l’Ordre des Avocats, the Tunisian Bar Association, the only institution which may decide if a lawyer is to be suspended or disbarred. The trial of CNLT spokesperson Moncef Marzouki was postponed on 16 December by the court of first instance in Tunisia and is now due to start on 30 December. He is charged with “maintaining an unauthorized association” (that is, the CNLT) and “spreading false information with the aim of disturbing public order” (that is, publically condemning human rights violations in Tunisia.) FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters in French, English, Arabic or in your own language: - expressing concern at the arrest, ill-treatment and imprisonment of prisoner of conscience Nejib Hosni and calling for his immediate and unconditional release; - seeking assurances that Nejib Hosni is protected from further ill-treatment while in custody; - expressing concern at the continuing attacks against human rights defenders and calling for these attacks, harassment and intimidation to cease immediately. APPEALS TO: M. Bechir TAKKARI Ministre de la Justice Ministère de la Justice 31 Boulevard Bab Benat 1006 Tunis Tunisie Fax: + 216 1 568 106 2 E-mail: [email protected] Minister of the Interior M. Abdallah KALLEL Ministre de l’Intérieur Ministère de l'Intérieur Avenue Habib Bourguiba 1001 Tunis, Tunisia Telegram: Ministre Interieur, Tunis, Tunisia Fax: + 216 1 340 888 E-mail: [email protected] Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Your Excellency Presidential Councillor for Human Rights M. Dali JAZI Conseiller Spécial auprès du Président de la République, chargé des droits de l’homme Palais Présidentiel Tunis Tunisia Fax: + 216 1 571314 Salutation: Monsieur le Conseiller / Your Excellency COPIES TO: M. Afif Hendaoui Ministre Délégué chargé des Droits de l’Homme Bureau du Premier Ministre Place du Gouvernement La Kasbah 1006 Tunis Tunisia Fax: + 216 1 570 842 COPIES TO: and to diplomatic representatives of Tunisia accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 February 2001. .