A number of associations and organizations in Tunisia expressed their firm rejection of the upcoming visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Tunisia, saying that bin Salman: "is not welcomed in Tunisia".
A large number of Tunisian civil society issued a joint statement yesterday, in which they confirmed their categorical rejection of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman invitation to visit Tunisia. In fact, he is expected to arrive on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018, as part of a tour that includes other Arab countries and aims to overcome his isolation caused by his involvement in the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018.
The organizations signatories of the statement expressed their surprise at this invitation and the implied signs of total disregard for the principles of human rights and abject belittling of the democratic process witnessed by Tunisia since the resort of the former President Zin El Abidine Ben Ali to the Saudi Arabia and his overthrow in 2011.
The associations pointed out that the assassination of Khashoggi is one episode from a long Saudi series, full of horrific attacks on human rights along with the oppressive practices, especially the targeting of the freedom of speech and opinion, through the legislation of unfair laws that violate the international human rights standards and implemented through a judicial system that does not guarantee the simplest elements of a fair trial.
The statement also stressed that this visit harms the image of Tunisia, which thousands of martyrs sacrificed for its independence and liberation from tyranny; especially in conjunction with the continuation of the military campaign led by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Yemen regardless of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in this country and the spread of famine among children. In addition, other factors led to the deterioration of this country such as the arbitrary and rapid arrests of the human rights defenders, especially in the press and academic circles in Saudi Arabia, as well as, the violations that escalate into crimes against humanity in Yemen.
The organizations also expressed their deep concern about the participation of the Tunisian forces recently in military air exercises in Tunisia with the Saudi military forces, the first of its kind since the independence, and asked for the retreat of supporting of the Saudi-led Front and stop the unconditional and shameful alignment with the positions of this country, which is part of serious violations of human rights and which is threatening any march on the path of democracy in the Arab region.
The organizations warned of the danger of such cooperation and rapprochement with a narrow-minded state that many human rights reports point to its clear following of an approach of tyranny and hostility to those who advocate any religious and political reform.
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