COURT ORDERS OPPOSITION PARTY EVICTED FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001340

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/MAG (HOPKINS/HARRIS) AND DRL (JOHNSTONE)
LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO TS
SUBJECT: COURT ORDERS OPPOSITION PARTY EVICTED FROM
HEADQUARTERS

REF: A. TUNIS 1294


B. TUNIS 1329

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) On October 1, a Tunisian court handed down a
decision evicting the opposition Progressive Democratic Party
(PDP) from its party headquarters. The PDP's landlord began
eviction proceedings in April (Ref A),saying the lease
agreement had been violated. The eviction proceedings
prompted a PDP hunger strike which began on September 20 (Ref
B),as the PDP believes this eviction, like several other
evictions faced by its regional offices, is politically
motivated.


2. (C) The two hunger strikers gave their reaction to the
ruling in a press conference on October 2. PDP Secretary
General Maya Jribi told PolOff that the German, Norwegian, EU
and French Embassies sent representatives, in addition to
those from other political parties (both recognized and
unrecognized) and journalists. Jribi characterized her
remarks as focusing on the objective of the strike, which she
stated was to mobilize society into advocating for increased
space to participate in the public sphere. She also noted
that she thanked the various groups that have sent
delegations to visit the hunger strikers, specifically the
American Ambassador. Jribi mentioned that the PDP will not
challenge the court's decision (because they feel that it is
politically motivated). She said, however, that the PDP has
twenty days to appeal the court's ruling from the time they
receive the court decision in writing, and that they plan to
stay in the building until that time.


3. (C) PDP Politburo member Rachid Khachana on October 1
told Pol/EconCouns that the medical condition of the two
hunger strikers had stabilized after a "more difficult" day
on September 30. Meanwhile, according to al-Jazeera, Jribi
has developed "health symptoms that could have dangerous
ramifications." Al-Jazeera interviewed Fathi Touzeri, a
physician who is monitoring the hunger strikers. Touzeri
reported that Jribi's condition was "a source of great
concern" and that she was "deteriorating at a fast pace."
Chebbi has a history of heart disease, and Touzeri also noted
that the hunger strike might exacerbate his condition.


4. (C) PolOff and visiting DRL/NESCA Deputy Director Kari
Johnstone plan to visit the hunger strikers on October 3.
GODEC