Democratic Current condemns banning Tunisia parliamentarian from travel

Tunisia’s Democratic Current yesterday condemned a recent government decision to ban the party’s deputy, Anouar Bechahed, from travel.

In an official statement, the party described the decision as an “arbitrary measure that was carried out with neither a judicial or administrative verdict nor a consultation with the interior ministry.”

The party called for respecting the “independence of the judiciary and the laws so that the exceptional measures announced on 25 July would not become a system which deviates from the constitution.”

“The Democratic Current continuously adheres to the constitutional rights, including citizens’ rights to move freely,” the party said on Facebook, denouncing what it described as “targeting certain groups and professions while distorting and denying constitutional rights of the Tunisian citizens.”

READ: Tunisia Judges’ Syndicate warns against employing individual violations to confuse judicial institution

The statement is seen by politicians as an “imminent rupture” between the party and President Kais Saied, whom it has always supported.

On 25 July, Saied cited Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government.

This comes after violent protests broke out in several Tunisian cities criticising the government’s handling of the economy and the coronavirus. Demonstrators had called for parliament to be dissolved.

The majority of the country’s political parties slammed the move as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution.

Is Tunisia slipping into a dangerous pitfall?- Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]