EU PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON LACK OF HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001565

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA/MAG FOR LAWRENCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KMPI TS
SUBJECT: EU PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON LACK OF HUMAN RIGHTS
PROGRESS IN TUNISIA

REF: A. TUNIS 1390


B. TUNIS 1425

C. TUNIS 730

D. HTTP://WWW.EUROPARL.EUROPA.EU/

Classified By: Ambassador William Hudson for Reasons 1.4 b & d


1. (C//NF) Summary: A June 15 resolution by the European
Parliament noted continuing concern about the human rights
situation in Tunisia in light of the Euro-Mediterannean
Agreement and numerous discussions tying a strong EU-Tunisia
relationship to the promotion of human rights and democracy.
European colleagues in Tunis describe increasing EU
frustration and resentment over the GOT's heavy-handed
tactics in dealing with civil society and continued blockage
of EU funding for democracy and human rights initiatives in
Tunisia. End Summary.


2. (C//NF) On June 15, the European Parliament passed an
expansive and strongly worded resolution on human rights in
Tunisia, recalling the role of human rights and democracy in
previous EU-Tunisia agreements and communications, regretting
"the fact that the situation as regards freedoms and human
rights in Tunisia is still a cause for concern" and calling
on the Tunisian authorities to "fulfill their international
commitments." The resolution specifically calls on the GOT
to provide explanations for the ban on the Congress of the
LTDH (Ref B),to unblock European funding for civil society
projects in Tunisia, and to release jailed lawyer/activist
Mohamed Abbou (Ref C). The resolution requests several steps
be taken by the European Council and the European Comission
to promote human rights in Tunisia and notes, "the
implementation of the current reforms must be regarded as a
priority in the partnership between the EU and Tunisia and
must constitute a fundamental element of the harmonious
development of relations between the EU and Tunisia." (See
Ref D for full text of resolution).


3. (C//NF) In a June 20 meeting with DCM and Poloff, European
Commission Chief of Operations Giacomo Durazzo and Political
Chief Bernard Philippe said the EU Parliament resolution was
indicative of growing EU frustration with Tunisia's human
rights record and unwillingness to reform. Durazzo said that
Tunisia was increasingly thought of in Brussels as a country
"that doesn't want to do business with us", as opposed to
more reform oriented regional countries such as Morocco.
Durazzo and Philippe said Tunisian Parliamentarians and
pro-GOT organizations sent twenty faxes and letters
denouncing the resolution, and defending Tunisia's record of
cooperation with the EU. According to Philippe several
Tunisian Parliamentarians had traveled to Brussels to perform
damage control with their EU counterparts. Although Durazzo
and Philippe had no specific plan of action for next steps, a
EU press release of June 16 expressing concern at the
blocking of the LTDH congress notes: "the European Union
expects that the EU-Tunisia sub-committee on human rights and
democratization will be established as soon as possible and
that Tunisia will respond favorably to the proposals in this
regard."


4. (C//NF) Comment: It is increasingly apparent that the EU
Parliament is fed up with GOT attempts to squelch any kind of
criticism and stifle EU programs that seek any influence
beyond providing the GOT with money, equipment, and materials
-- Durazzo described a 22 million Euro judicial assistance
program as "a mistake" due to GOT efforts to control usage of
program funds. In past years divisions within the EU have
resulted in at best, tepid enthusiasm, and at worst, inaction
on human rights and reform issues in Tunisia, since strong
bilateral partners such as France and Italy have been
reluctact to push the GOT on human rights. Recent moves by
EU bodies such as the Parliament resolution and related
public statments show the tide may be turning -- at least
temporarily. At the same time, EC representatives in Tunis
have been increasingly forward in reaching out to Embassy for
coordination efforts (Ref a). End Comment.
HUDSON