Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TUNIS52
2007-01-08 17:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS INITIATIVES PRESENTED TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0052 0081751 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081751Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2459
UNCLAS TUNIS 000052
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PREL TS
SUBJECT: DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS INITIATIVES PRESENTED TO
TUNISIA
REF: A. STATE 200959
B. STATE 196666
C. TUNIS 2949
UNCLAS TUNIS 000052
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PREL TS
SUBJECT: DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS INITIATIVES PRESENTED TO
TUNISIA
REF: A. STATE 200959
B. STATE 196666
C. TUNIS 2949
1. (SBU) In a meeting with MFA Director General Hatem Atallah
on December 28, Charge presented new USG initiatives to
support human rights defenders (refs A and B). Atallah
replied that the MFA would read over the new initiatives
carefully. He acknowledged that the USG and Tunisia had
different perspectives on the issue of NGOs. Charge
mentioned recent crackdowns on NGOs and harassment of NGO
activists by the GOT (ref C),and emphasized that the USG is
opposed to any restrictions on freedom of association and
assembly. Atallah said it is the policy of the GOT that NGOs
have a role to play, not just in development and social
areas, but also in the political sphere. He said there was
"no problem" as long as NGOs are in compliance with relevant
Tunisian law guiding the funding and activity of
associations. NOTE: On December 23, the MFA sent a dipnote
to all diplomatic missions reminding them of relevant law
pertaining to funding of NGOs. END NOTE.
2. (U) Post distributed a press release on the new
initiatives which has also been forwarded to relevant NGO
contacts. Post will continue to look for opportunities to
highlight and implement these new initiatives.
GODEC
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PREL TS
SUBJECT: DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS INITIATIVES PRESENTED TO
TUNISIA
REF: A. STATE 200959
B. STATE 196666
C. TUNIS 2949
1. (SBU) In a meeting with MFA Director General Hatem Atallah
on December 28, Charge presented new USG initiatives to
support human rights defenders (refs A and B). Atallah
replied that the MFA would read over the new initiatives
carefully. He acknowledged that the USG and Tunisia had
different perspectives on the issue of NGOs. Charge
mentioned recent crackdowns on NGOs and harassment of NGO
activists by the GOT (ref C),and emphasized that the USG is
opposed to any restrictions on freedom of association and
assembly. Atallah said it is the policy of the GOT that NGOs
have a role to play, not just in development and social
areas, but also in the political sphere. He said there was
"no problem" as long as NGOs are in compliance with relevant
Tunisian law guiding the funding and activity of
associations. NOTE: On December 23, the MFA sent a dipnote
to all diplomatic missions reminding them of relevant law
pertaining to funding of NGOs. END NOTE.
2. (U) Post distributed a press release on the new
initiatives which has also been forwarded to relevant NGO
contacts. Post will continue to look for opportunities to
highlight and implement these new initiatives.
GODEC