Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made representations to the Tunisian Government on access to family and legal representation for the former Justice Minister, Noureddine Bhiri, following his arrest on 31 December 2021; and if she will call on that Government to either bring specific legal charges against him or release him from detention.

We are aware of the arrest of former Justice Minister, Noureddine Bhiri, and are closely monitoring the case. We have publicly stated the importance of respect for all Tunisians' fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and we reiterate these points privately with the Tunisian Government.