Tunisia: Journalists and bloggers released; others still detained

English PEN welcomes the release on 16 January 2011 of Nizar Ben Hassan and Hamma Hammami Hassan who had been arrested by Special Presidential Security officers a few days earlier. We also welcome the release of bloggers Azyz Amamy and Slim Amamou following the fall of the former President Ben Ali’s government on 14 January 2011.  

However, we remain concerned about the continued detention of Ammar Amroussia, Soufiane Chourabi, Hamadi Kaloutcha,  Nibras Mahzeeli, Mue’z al-Bai, Mue’z Jama’I and rapper El Général – real name Hamada Ben Aoun and continue to call for their immediate and unconditional release. Please click here for more information.

Events in Tunisia continue to change on an hourly basis, and PEN International is monitoring the current situation closely. Meanwhile, Tunisian PEN President, Sihem Bensedrine has been able to return to Tunis and has given a number of press interviews.
 
We will continue to keep PEN members informed of events.

TAKE ACTION:

You may wish to send appeals immediately (preferably in French or Arabic) to the Tunisian authorities:

- Welcome the release of Nizar Ben Hassan, Hamma Hammami Hassan, Azyz Amamy and Slim Amamou:

- Expressing concerns about the continued detention of other journalists and bloggers in violation of their right to freedom of expression;

- Calling on the Tunisian authorities to release journalists and bloggers, lawyers, activists and civilians immediately and unconditionally and to investigate the allegations of torture.

Please send appeals to:

Acting President
Foued Mebazaa
Acting President
Palais Présidentiel
Tunis, Tunisia
Fax: 216 71 744 721

Prime Minister
Mohammed Ghannouchi
Place du Gouvernement
La Kasbah
1008 Tunis
Tunisia
Fax: 216 71 572 707

Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Lazhar Karoui Chebbi
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
31 Boulevard Bab Benat
1006 Tunis – La Kasbah
Tunisia
Fax: 216 71 568 106
Email: mju@ministeres.tn
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Interior
Ahmed Friaa
Ministry of Interior and Local Development
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
1000 Tunis, Tunisia
Fax: 216 71 340 888
Salutation: Your Excellency

Please also send copies of your appeal letters to the Tunisian Embassy in London:

His Excellency Hatem Atallah
29 Prince’s Gate
London
SW7 1QG