BEN ALI GIVES INDEPENDENT NGO CASH GIFT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000839

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS),NEA/PI AND DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM SOCI TS
SUBJECT: BEN ALI GIVES INDEPENDENT NGO CASH GIFT

REF: A. TUNIS 770


B. 06 TUNIS 1421

C. 06 TUNIS 388

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


1. (C) In early June, the Tunisian Association of Democratic
Women (ATFD),an authorized and independent NGO active in
debating and publicizing women's issues, received a TD 50,000
(approximately US $40,000) gift from President Ben Ali.
While focused primarily on social issues, ATFD leaders have
at times been outspoken critics of the restriction on
political freedoms in Tunisia, and reported that the GOT has
blocked their meetings, frozen foreign funding and instructed
hotels not to rent space for ATFD public events (Refs B and
C). ATFD President Khedija Cherif told PolOff on June 21
that she believes the gift was the result of a recent meeting
she and other ATFD members had with Moncer Rouissi, President
of the GOT's Higher Commission on Human Rights and Civil
Liberties (HCHR, Ref A). (NOTE: Cherif, a sociology
professor and long-time civil society activist, was a
recipient of the Secretary's 2007 Woman of Courage Award. END
NOTE.) Noting that she had worked as Rouissi's university
assistant, Cherif said this personal relationship likely
contributed to the gift. "Rouissi knows me and what the ATFD
stands for," said Cherif, highlighting that the ATFD is a
secular, apolitical organization promoting women's rights in
Tunisia; goals not dissimilar from the GOT's.


2. (C) The money, combined with some recently unfrozen EU
funding, will allow the ATFD to conduct several planned
campaigns, including one focused on increasing youth
membership. Cherif stressed that the Presidential gift will
not change the ATFD's position on the need for increased
public discourse and political space to debate the challenges
Tunisia faces today. While some in the GOT may be reform
minded, Cherif stressed that the majority of officials still
prefer the "security" approach of cracking down on
independent civil society.


3. (C) COMMENT. Although some of the ATFD's goals overlap
with the GOT's, it has long been an independent and vocal GOT
critic. Thus, the gift is unique as it was not tied to any
changes in the organization's leadership or activities. As
Cherif indicated, it appears that HCHR President Rouissi was
responsible for solving a year-long ATFD funding crisis.
Post will continue to engage Rouissi, following Ambassador's
June 11 courtesy call, and others in the GOT to promote the
independence of civil society. END COMMENT.
GODEC