Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001073/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE)
On 4 March 2025, the trial in relation to case 36/6835 started in Tunisia. This case concerns the prosecution of 40 individuals, including political opponents, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders, who stand accused of several serious charges, including ‘conspiracy against the internal and external security of the State’. Some of these individuals have been in pre-trial detention since 10 February 2023. Experts refer to the case as ‘the conspiracy case’ and have expressed concerns about the instrumentalisation of judicial institutions for political purposes by the Tunisian authorities and the lack of independence of the Tunisian courts. Human Rights Watch expressed concerns[1] about the lack of evidence and several major legal flaws.
- 1.What is the Commission’s view on case 36/6835, and does it have sufficient trust in the independence of the Tunisian judiciary to guarantee the right to fair trial for the individuals charged, and on what basis?
- 2.Has the Commission engaged in dialogue with the Tunisian authorities about this specific case and will the Delegation of the EU to Tunisia monitor the trial?
- 3.Can the Commission provide an overview of the specific funding, including under the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding, directly or indirectly benefiting the Tunisian Ministries of Justice and the Interior?
Submitted: 12.3.2025
- [1] https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/05/abusive-conspiracy-trial-opens-tunis.