This week, Greens/EFA MEP Tineke Strik (Dutch) will table a question for written answer to the Commission on the situation in Tunisia and its designation by the Commission on 16 April as a safe third country of origin for its nationals (see EUROPE 13623/1).
On 19 April, a Tunisian court sentenced 40 people to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years for plotting against the internal and external security of the state, including journalists, political opponents and other critics of the regime. “Has the Commission monitored or cooperated with the Tunisian authorities on the above-mentioned case, and by what methods? And what influence will the sentencing of these opposition figures have on EU-Tunisia relations, in particular the inclusion of Tunisia on the list of ‘safe countries of origin’?”, asks the MEP.
The French government expressed its concern on Wednesday 23 April, regretting that “the conditions for a fair trial have not been respected” for those convicted, AFP reported.
The Member States are due to hold an initial exchange of views on this list on Thursday 24 April.
Link to question: https://aeur.eu/f/gi2 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)