The World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) said the rejection by the Administrative Court of appeals against house arrest decisions undermine the rule of law.

«It would appear that the Administrative Court has given the executive power carte blanche, turning a blind eye to the abusive nature of these measures and their disastrous repercussions,» OMCT quoted its Secretary-General Gerald Staberock in a statement.

In the face of this worrying judicial trend, «the court seems to have abandoned its role as a guarantee against the abuse of power, even though it has, until now and in the majority of cases, distinguished itself by its independence in disputes relating to the arbitrary restriction of freedom imposed by the Interior Ministry.

The OMCT also pledged to provide legal support to those it described as «victims of abusive measures» so that they can turn to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. It called on the Tunisian state to respect international standards in this area.

Last September, the Administrative Court rejected all appeals against the decision to impose house arrest on personalities from various backgrounds.

Spokesperson Imed Ghabri told TAP that the first president of the Administrative Court decided to overrule all the appeals filed in August against these decisions taken by the Interior Ministry as a precautionary measure, to place a number of people under house arrest.

He specified that the decision to overrule the appeals is provisional, pending the decision of the judicial panels in charge of these cases.

Ten appeals against house arrest decisions have been lodged by former ministers, judges and senior officials within the Administrative Court.

The Interior Ministry, since July 25, issued decisions of house arrest against MPs, judges, businesspersons and senior officials of the Tunisian administration.

Source: TAP News Agency