Brussels, 28/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHR), which brings together associations and organisations defending basic rights in the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean area, is concerned about the “increase in intimidation against human rights activists in the southern Mediterranean”. The EMHR management committee met up on 18-20 April and called on EU countries to pay “urgent attention” to this situation for which startling elements mentioned in a public debate include “torture practised by the security services in many countries of the region on the pretext of the fight against terrorism” particularly in Egypt. Freedom of the press and expression are also mentioned among some of the most blatant shortcomings in several countries in the region. The Italian government is accused of having intended to expel a Tunisian to his country despite “the clear risk of torture and ill treatment”. The EMHR affirms that the decision of the Italian High Court quashing this decision “marks an important step in the fight against torture, but the practical ratification and implementation of the convention against torture is still an urgent necessity”. The network also highlights the results of the “persistent isolation” of the Gaza Strip and calls for “an end to this situation, which demonstrates the absolute need for a peaceful solution in keeping with decisions made by the UN”.
It also illustrates the “ambiguity surrounding the project for a Union for the Mediterranean, which is a source of concern and fear, with regard to the question of human rights, which were completely ignored by those promoting this project”. The EMHR believes that overall, “the emergence of socially autonomous movements in several countries of the south brings a ray of hope to civil society's ability to free itself from the subjugation of the regimes in place, while highlighting the increasing economic degradation of these countries”.
There is also concern about EU countries' “repressive policy against migrants…and the almost total absence of any recognition of the dramatic effect of south-south migratory flows”. (F.B.)