12.02.2013 - CESP - INGOs

Assassination of Chokri Belaid, defender of democracy and human rights in Tunisia

Press release
dated 12 February 2013

“The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe
condemns the assassination of Chokri Belaid,
defender of democracy and human rights in Tunisia,
and expresses its full solidarity with the democratic forces of civil society”
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations holding participatory status with the Council of Europe, comprising almost 400 INGOs,

- strongly condemns the assassination of Chokri Belaid, as a despicable political crime against a defender of democracy and human rights, and expresses its full solidarity with the democratic forces of Tunisian civil society which are fighting for dignity, freedom, social justice, democracy, the rule of law and universal human rights,

- voices its indignation and serious concerns regarding the violence, repression and terror aimed at the peaceful movement of individuals and the people, which are undermining the process of transition towards democracy and the rule of law, two years after the start of the revolution in Tunisia,

- calls on all members of the international community firmly to oppose these developments and to support the building of a genuine democracy based on effective guarantees for all universal human rights and the independent action of civil society in Tunisia and throughout the world.