EU Maghreb delegation calls for inquiry into deaths in Tunisia riots

EU Maghreb delegation calls for inquiry into deaths in Tunisia riots

2011-01-12 11:28:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Parliament (EP) Delegation for relations with Maghreb countries on Tuesday said an independent inquiry should be launched into the deaths of street protesters during the ongoing riots in Tunisia.

The delegation made the statements in a formal declaration in which several Members of the EP (MEPs) advocated to suspend negotiations for an 'advanced status' for Tunisia, complementing its EU Association Agreement.

Algeria and Tunisia have both been convulsed by widespread rioting and violent clashes with the police in the past few days, resulting in the deaths of several demonstrators.

At an extraordinary meeting, EP delegation members condemned the use of live ammunition by police forces to break up street protests in Tunisia and issued a declaration calling for an independent inquiry.

Regarding EU negotiations with Tunisia, the declaration also stressed that the granting of an "advanced status" to Tunisia (in addition to its EU Association Agreement) is conditional upon the country's respect of human rights. It also calls for an urgent meeting of the EU-Tunisia Association Council.

During the debate, a number of MEPs supported the idea of provisionally suspending EU negotiations with Tunisia and strongly criticized the EU External Action Service's "weak" response and failure to condemn the Tunisian authorities.

Delegation chair Pier Antonio Panzeri stressed that the fatal street protests demonstrate the real need for political, social and economic reforms in the both countries and for the EU to pay more attention to the Maghreb region.

Panzeri's party colleague Carmen Romero added that the EU must avoid having double standards with the country and demanded a serious investigation of recent events.

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