Tunisia presidential candidate complains to UN about 'serious violations' ahead of election

Tunisian presidential candidate, Imed Daimi, has filed a complaint with the United Nations against members of the electoral commission accusing them of committing “serious violations against democratic rights and human rights” against candidates in the presidential election due to be held next month.

Daimi said he filed the complaint on Wednesday with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva against members of the Independent High Authority for Elections Council accusing them of “serious violations committed against democratic rights and human rights under the direct influence of the current head of state, who is also running for the elections.”

A statement issued by Daimi’s electoral campaign said the complaint included all evidence of the “serious violations that violate the constitution, local laws and international conventions” as well as the supporting documents confirming the fulfilment of all local litigation methods, leading to obtaining a final and binding ruling from the Administrative Court, which upheld Daimi’s appeal to be allowed to return to the presidential race.

The Independent High Authority for Elections had refused to implement the court’s decision under the pretext that it was not issued within the deadline.

“The complaint confirmed the occurrence of a serious violation of many international agreements and treaties that guarantee the right of individuals to resort to a fair and impartial judiciary,” the statement said, indicating that the violations are not limited to violating the national rights stipulated in the Tunisian Constitution, but include violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, amongst other.

Daimi called on the special rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council to immediately intervene and investigate these violations “given their seriousness and profound impact on the democratic process and stability as well as the rule of law in Tunisia, and on the president’s legitimacy.”

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