Amnesty International USA
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Amnesty International Says Tunisia Must Release Journalist Prosecuted on Politically-Motivated Charges Due to His Criticism of Government

Court Due to Deliver Verdict Thursday Against Journalist Taoufik Ben Brik, Declared Prisoner of Conscience by Human Rights Organization

(New York) -- Amnesty International on Tuesday called on Tunisian authorities to immediately release a well known government critic, journalist Taoufik Ben Brik, and to drop trumped up charges that could lead to his being imprisoned for up to five years.

"Taoufik Ben Brik is being prosecuted on politically-motivated charges and has not received a fair trial," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s director for the Middle East and North Africa. "He is a prisoner of conscience. He must be released immediately and unconditionally."

Ben Brik was put on trial November 19 on charges of committing violence, damaging property, harming public morality and defamation.

He denies the charges and says they have been manufactured and brought against him by the Tunisian authorities because of his criticism of the government.

The court is due to deliver its verdict on Thursday (Nov. 26). During the trial, defense lawyers had no opportunity to fully present their case or cross-examine prosecution witnesses, and it appears the court accepted as evidence a statement which the authorities allege was freely given by Ben Brik in pre-trial detention but which he says is false and bears a forgery of his signature.

The court hearing last week took place amid oppressive security conditions. There was a heavy presence of security officials both inside and around the court, who prevented journalists and others from attending the proceedings.

Only three members of Ben Brik’s family were permitted to attend. Ben Brik, who suffers from diabetes and a rare hormonal disorder called Cushing's Syndrome, for which he needs regular medication, appeared physically weak and was unable to stand throughout the proceedings.

"Taoufik Ben Brik appears to have been prosecuted on account of his criticism of the government and opposition to the recent re-election, for a fifth term of office, of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali," said Smart.

"It follows a pattern in which those who exercise their right to free speech to criticize the government or allege corruption are targeted for expressing dissent, in gross breach of Tunisia's obligations under international law.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

# # #

Please visit www.amnestyusa.org for more information.


Suzanne Trimel
Media Relations Director
Amnesty International USA
5 Penn Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10001
212-633-4150

Send this page to a friend

Your Email:
Friend's Email:
Add a Message:
Security code: (case sensitive)