Tunisian journalist and press freedom advocate Sihem Bensedrine and husband Omar Mestiri were allegedly assaulted by police early this month when entering Tunisia from Europe. The government denies the claims, but human rights groups are persisting in their accusations.
Press freedom advocacy groups have condemned the Tunisian government for the alleged March 3rd assault of two well-known journalists on their re-entry into the country.
According to a statement issued the day of the incident by the Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation in Tunisia (OLPEC), Sihem Bensedrine and husband Omar Mestiri were "detained for six hours by Tunisian customs, and were subjected to violent physical assault from elements of political police."
The OLPEC statement reported that upon the couple's arrival at the port of La Goulette in the northern suburbs of Tunis, they were subjected to a thorough search by customs agents and required to surrender their laptop computers. Bensedrine and Mestiri refused, claiming it was an "oppressive measure" without the proper court order. When the couple persisted, the report claims they were physically assaulted by police.
The Tunisian government responded on March 4th, denying all allegations of assault.
An official source, wishing to remain anonymous, told Reuters the two journalists "were not subjected to any mistreatment ... or to any violence."
"On the other hand," the official continued, "Mrs. Bensedrine's behaviour towards customs officers was aggressive and violent during this ordinary customs procedure."
According to the official, police ordered the couple to open their bags after they triggered detection systems at the port. "After the inspection, the luggage was put back in the car and nothing has been seized," the official added.
However, the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) claimed in a statement issued on March 5th that "Bensedrine sustained severe bruises and a torn ligament in one arm."
Sihem Bensedrine is Secretary-General of OLPEC and spokesperson of the National Council for Liberties in Tunisia (CNLT). Her husband, Omar Mestiri, is managing editor of online newspaper Kalima.
Rohan Jayasekera, chair of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG), said, "I find it hard to believe that just days before International Women's Day, the government of Tunisia would sanction such a vicious attack on a woman."
Bensedrine has come under fire in Tunisia by pro-government weekly El Hadath, which has accused her and other human rights activists of treason. The articles were condemned by numerous local and international organisations, including the International Federation for the Defence of Human Rights and the International Observatory for the Protection of Defenders of Human Rights.
In a statement issued March 3rd, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists condemned the actions of some Tunisian newspapers, claiming their practices violate the law and the journalist's code of ethics by "cursing and defaming national Tunisian figures mentioned by name".
The Union said the critical articles published by El Hadath are punishable under the Press Law, article 50 and other articles on defamation, and asked public prosecutors to examine lawsuits filed against the authors and publishers.
Sihem Bensedrine was awarded the Danish Peace Foundation's 2008 Peace Prize for her defence of human rights, democracy, and freedom of expression. She was jailed in 2001 for her harsh criticisms of the Tunisian regime, and has long been known for her campaigns against what she deems human rights abuses in the country.
-- Jamel Arfaoui in Tunis, Magharebia
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