Side Event: Tunisia: The fight against impunity - a key element for the prevention of torture

Tunisia: The fight against impunity - a key element for the prevention of torture

March 10, 2015, 13.30- 15.00

Room XI, Palais desNations

Torturein Tunisia was systematic under the old regime. Four years have passed sincethe revolution supposedly brought irreversible progress in the fight againsttorture and ill-treatment. However, the use of violence by security agentscontinues. Justice has turned a blind eye to these perpetrators and theiraccomplices, resulting in widespread impunity. These circumstances jeopardisethe success of Tunisia’s democratic transition.

Juan E.Méndez, Special Rapporteur on Torture, will present the main findings of areport drawn from a follow-up visit to Tunisia in June 2014. His report will bepresented to the Human Rights Council on 10 March. Tunisia’s Ambassador to theUnited Nations and a Commissioner of Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commissionwill lay out their respective programs and visions to advance the democratictransition in Tunisia. ACAT and OMCT will review the fight against impunity alongwith the main challenges for the new administration in Tunisia.

Theseinterventions will be illustrated by the testimony of Hedi Tlijani, survivor oftorture in Tunisia and member of the organisation INSAF that fights for the rehabilitationof former military victims of repression.

Speakers:

- Juan E.Méndez, Special Rapporteur on torture

- Walid Doudech, Ambassador of Tunisia to the United Nations

- Oula Ben Nejma, Commissioner of the Truth and Dignity Commission

- Hélène Legeay, Responsible for ACAT’s program in Maghreb/Middle East

- Hedi Tlijani, Member of the Organisation Insaf

Moderation: Gerald Staberock, Secretary General ofOMCT

Light refreshmentswill be served

Interpretation willbe available