New intimidation of Tunesian human rights defender

The Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), to which Aim for human rights is a member, is deeply concerned about the new intimidating measures of Tunesisian authorities against Mr. Khémaïs Chammari. Khémaïs Chammari was a member of the Tunesisian Parliament, individual member to the “Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network” and member of the administrative Council of the “Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders”.

Intimidation of Khémaïs Chammari
Returning from a foreing trip on 3 April, Khémaïs Chammari was harassed with new intimidating measures by customs officers at the international airport of Tunis. Apart from the public search of his personal belongings, to which he is always subjected, this time he was also asked to subject himself to a full body search. Mr. Khémaïs Chammari refused this, since the measure had no other purpose then to provoke and humiliate Khémaïs Chammari, who also has a limited physical mobility.

Systematic intimidation of human rights defenders
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is concerned that these intimidating measures are part of a systematic campaign of security forces in Tunesia to intimidate human rights defenders on their returning from foreign traveling. Last month EMHRN reported the abuse of two other EMHRN members, Mrs. Bensedrine and Mr. Mestiri, at the Customs Office at the international airport in Tunis.

Aim for human rigths shares this concerns and fully supports the statement of EMHRN.  

Read the full statement (French)