EU must freeze assets of deposed Tunisian dictator

Posted by Bronwen Maher on January 20, 2011 at 01:05 PM

Speaking in Strasbourg, Labour MEP Nessa Childers has congratulated the Tunisian people for their courage in rising up and demanding democracy.

She has called for the EU-based assets of the deposed dictator Ben Ali to be immediately frozen.

"Last December, a university graduate set himself on fire in front of government buildings out of sheer desperation due to the dire economic conditions and long suppression of politics. Less than a month later, nationwide protests have brought about the fall of the dictator Ben Ali.

"The EU must immediately freeze the funds and financial assets of Ben Ali, who has now fled to Saudi Arabia, and prevent any senior officials associated with his corrupt regime from accessing those assets. Switzerland has already taken such a move, and also have ensured that a new Tunisian administration would be able to retrieve those assets.

"Political and economic life under Ben Ali was under tight government control and only praise of the authorities was tolerated. The government used aggressive and repressive tactics to extend that control to the few pockets of independent expression. Human rights abuses were commonplace. The people have now risen up against his regime and must be supported by the international community.

"The EU has a strong interest in a democratic, prosperous and stable Tunisia. For that now to develop, the EU must make it absolutely clear it will use all its economic and diplomatic power to help the democratic forces within Tunisia.

"If democracy does take hold in Tunisia, the implications for other countries in the region are obvious."

Permanent link | Comments (0) |