UN to send human rights team to Tunisia

UN to send human rights team to Tunisia

2011-01-20 05:54:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations will send a human rights team to Tunisia next week in order to asses the situation in the country due to the recent unrest.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that she decided to deploy the team to address human rights situation in the African country as it is currently undergoing significant changes.

Pillay's office, the OHCHR, said that the recent violence in Tunis has left over 100 deaths so far. Tunisia’s president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, fled the country last week amid growing protests and violence.

Protesters are angered after Ben Ali ordered a price rises of essential commodities, lack of employment opportunities, alleged corruption and limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms.

On Tuesday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced renewed concern at the growing violence in Tunisia, and urged that all efforts be taken to restore peace and stability. The international community has also voiced concern over the increasing issues in Tunisia.

Pillay said that despite violence, Tunisian people are facing a major opportunity to carve out a better future, based on laws that are fully in line with international standards and observed by authorities.

After Ben Ali ouster, interim leadership announced the formation of a new government on Monday. The new government of national unity includes members of the opposition as announced by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.

However, protests continued in the capital Tunis after four opposition Ministers resigned and joined demonstrations. Police forces had to use water cannons and shot bullets into the air in order to control and disperse protesters in the streets.

"It is equally important that, in the meantime, people do not take the law into their own hands. Issues relating to justice and fair trials need to be strengthened, not undermined by further acts of violence," remarked Pillay.

The Human Rights Commissioner urged the interim leadership in Tunisia to act with scrupulous regard to international standards governing the imposition of a state of emergency. She also called for the respect of basic human rights including right to life.

"I will continue to closely watch the situation in Tunisia, and do all I can to ensure that the human rights aspirations of the Tunisian people are finally achieved and their sacrifices are not in vain," Pillay concluded.

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