Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the continued detention and sentencing of political figures in Tunisia, including Rached Ghannouchi, is consistent with the UK Government’s stated commitment to democracy and human rights in its engagement with Tunisia.

The UK monitors the political context in Tunisia closely, including changes to the sentences of Mr Rached Ghannouchi and others. The UK regularly encourages respect for civil, political, social and economic rights and the rule of law in Tunisia. Our Ambassador to Tunisia has raised the case of Mr Ghannouchi with the Tunisian authorities, and Ministers have underlined the importance of political participation and human rights in discussions with the Tunisian Government. To date, the UK has used a range of programmes and activities to encourage and support an open and inclusive society in Tunisia.