UN experts urge fair trial for Tunisia’s former truth commission president

UN experts have called for Tunisian former Truth and Dignity Commission chief Sihem Bensedrine to be given a fair trial, saying her arrest could amount to judicial harassment.

Bensedrine, who headed a panel tasked with uncovering abuses under the country’s past rulers, was arrested for “falsifying” the commission’s report, Tunisian media reported last week.

A prominent rights activist who headed the now-defunct Truth and Dignity Commission, Bensedrine was arrested for allegedly forging parts of the commission’s final report published in 2020.

“In a context marked by the suppression of numerous dissenting voices, the arrest of Ms. Bensedrine raises serious concerns about the respect of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Tunisia and has a chilling effect on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society in general,” the experts said in a joint statement.

“This arrest could amount to judicial harassment of Ms. Bensedrine for work she has undertaken as president of the Truth and Dignity Commission,” the experts said.

“It appears to be aimed at discrediting information contained in the commission’s report, which could give rise to legal proceedings against alleged perpetrators of corruption under the previous regimes.”

The special rapporteurs urged Tunisia to uphold its obligation to protect members of commissions of enquiry into gross human rights violations from defamation and civil or criminal proceedings brought against them because of their work, or the content of their reports.

“We call for strict respect for Ms Bensedrine’s right to judicial guarantees, including the right to a fair trial by due process, impartiality and independence, and for an end to abusive proceedings and reprisals against her.”

The statement was penned by the UN special rapporteurs on the promotion of truth, justice and reparation; on freedom of expression; and on human rights defenders.

UN special rapporteurs are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council.

They are independent experts and therefore do not speak for the UN.