Al Bawsala reprobates the harassment of the cofounder and director of publication at the collective blog and NGO Nawaat, Mr Sami Ben Gharbia, has endured during the investigation that was inflicted on him and that followed the publication of a report on the “Reconciliation bill” proposed by the presidency of the Republic of Tunisia. The Investigation and Inspection Division of Al Aouina unrightfully asked Mr Ben Gharbia to provide information about the journalists and collaborators at the media website and NGO Nawaat, infringing the Constitutional rights of publication and free expression as stated in articles 31 and 32 of the Tunisian Constitution. Furthermore, article 11 of the decree n°115 of 2015 guarantees the right of journalists to protect their sources.
Al Bawsala condemns these undemocratic and unlawful actions undertaken by the police and reaffirms its full support to Nawaat’s journalists and contributors, while reminding that the Presidency of the Republic has not provided any information about the “Reconciliation bill” despite the social unrest that is accompanying its discussion at the Assembly of the Representatives of the People.
Within the same context that restricts any form of access to information related to the reconciliation bill, Al Bawsala has officially requested information about parts of the new version of the mentioned bill but was faced with absolute unresponsiveness from the Presidency. Al Bawsala submitted a grievance report to the same party today, Friday May 5th 2017.
