Brussels, 10/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU is “concerned” by the violent turn of events in Tunisia in demonstrations against unemployment, poor socio-economic conditions and also the political regime. Over the last few days, the turmoil has degenerated into bloody riots, which, by Monday, had led to at least some 20 deaths with many more injured. Speaking on behalf of the EU, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton called on the Tunisian authorities and the demonstrators to show restraint and to begin “dialogue” in order to find solutions to the problems that exist. She also called for the “immediate release” of all bloggers, journalists, lawyers and others being held for having taken part in demonstrations, her spokeswoman told press on Monday 10 January. The EU and Tunisia have extremely close relations (Ed: Tunisia was, indeed, the first southern Mediterranean country to sign an association agreement with the EU in 1995) and there are already plans for closer cooperation. However, before Tunisia can be given “enhanced status” there will have to be increased commitments on all issues “in particular on human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Ashton's spokeswoman said. Negotiations on the “enhanced status” are currently on-going, with the second round of talks taking place in December of last year. The EU says that it does not yet have enough substance to be able to negotiate in depth, given that Tunisia wants its own view on human rights to be taken into account. Tunis, it seems, is stressing its sovereign rights in this area and its own path to democracy, sources have said. Ashton's staff were planning to publish a written statement on the situation in Tunisia later in the day (Ed: this was still not available in the early evening of Monday).
Call to suspend “enhanced status” talks. The International Federation for Human Rights (IFRM) on Monday called for the suspension of negotiations on Tunisia's “enhanced status”. “It is a matter of urgency that the European Union suspend current negotiations on the enhanced status,” said IFRM President Souhayr Belhassen. “These enhanced status negotiations must be suspended to give time for all that we have been demanding for years to be included … and so that development of democracy and human rights is respected,” she added. (H.B./transl.rt)