Tunisia: Urgent investigation needed into assassination of Chokri Belaid
| Publisher | Article 19 |
| Publication Date | 7 February 2013 |
| Cite as | Article 19, Tunisia: Urgent investigation needed into assassination of Chokri Belaid, 7 February 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5126243a2.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Tunis: ARTICLE 19 condemns the assassination of the human rights activist and political leader Tunisian Chokri Belaid and calls for an urgent independent investigation into his killing.
"Chokri's murder is a devastating blow to the progressive steps Tunisia has taken towards democracy following the revolution. The murder of a critical political voice is a crime against freedom expression and those responsible must be brought to justice" said Agnes Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19.
"Emotions are running high and it is absolutely vital that Tunisians on all sides do not allow the volatile mood to spiral into violence. Experience has shown over time and around the world, that violent reactions could transform the revolutionary spring into a seemingly endless cascade of crises." added Callamard.
ARTICLE 19 calls on the Tunisian authorities to immediately begin an independent and transparent investigation into the murder of Chokri Belaid, and its circumstances, including possible incitements to murder and violence, to identify those responsible for the murder or who may have contributed to it, and to bring them to justice.
ARTICLE 19 also calls on the Tunisian government to outline a clear roadmap for the next steps of the democratic transition process, and complete drafting the constitution that complies with international standards on human rights.
