Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the freedom of democratic (1) expression, and (2) practice, in Tunisia.

The UK has closely monitored the political situation in Tunisia since the changes brought in by President Kais Saied on 25 July 2021, and we will continue to do so. Tunisia faces many economic and political challenges that can only be effectively addressed through democratic engagement, transparency, the protection of human rights, and free speech. The UK has expressed its views regarding the political situation, bilaterally and through statements on behalf of G7 Ambassadors. The most recent joint statement was on 8 February, conveying concerns about the decision to dissolve Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/supreme-judicial-court-in-tunisia-ambassadors-joint-statement-8-february-2022

We engage regularly with Government leaders in the country, most recently on 1 March when the British Ambassador to Tunisia called on Prime Minister Najla Bouden.