GENEVA, FEBRUARY 8 – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged Tunisian President Kais Saied to restore the Supreme Judicial Council and warned that its dissolution could seriously undermine the rule of law, the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in the country.
“Much still needs to be done to align the legislation, procedures and practices of the judicial sector to international standards”, however “this is a big step in the wrong direction”, said Bachelet in a statement released in Geneva. On July 25, 2021 President Saied suspended parliament and took over executive duties. “Since then – said the UN statement – attempts to stifle dissent have increased, also through abuse towards actors of civil society”.
The ambassadors of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union in Tunisia also said in a joint statement that they were “deeply concerned for the announced intention of unilaterally dissolving the Supreme Judicial Council, whose mission is to guarantee the correct functioning of the judicial system and the respect of independence”. “A transparent, independent and efficient judiciary – along with the respect of the principle of the separation of powers – are essential for the good functioning of a democracy at the service of the population, based on the respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms”, concluded the statement.

Source: ANSA News Agency