Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tunis (Agenzia Fides) - The first national office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in North Africa (Hcdh) will open in Tunis: The agreement was signed yesterday, 14 July, by the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Mohamed Mouldi ek Ke'fi, and Ms. Navanethem Pillay, South African, High Commissioner of the Hcdh, during her visit in Tunis. Even the Archdiocese of Tunis welcomed the opening of the new structure, an event that Archbishop Maroun Lahham defined, according to reports from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), "a very positive sign, a further confirmation that we are on the right tract towards democracy. After the Jasmine Rebellion we reached goals that we never dreamed of. Before people were afraid of who was in power, now, it is the government that is worried about what citizens want".
Words of satisfaction also on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Kefi: "Finally we are laying the foundations for a strong democracy and we are understanding the various UN mechanisms. So we continue to pursue the noble objectives that led to the revolution, breaking all ties with the policy of Zine al Abidine Ban Ali’s regime". The office in Tunis follows the adherence to the Rome Statute of the International Crown Court, the international treaty signed by Tunisia on June 25 involves the acceptance of a supra-national law in case of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity. "Being the first North African country to ratify the Statute - said the UN Secretary General, the Korean Ban Ki-Moon - Tunisia has proven to be at the forefront in the fight against impunity. A crucial step, especially when read in light of this year's events which saw the country as leading protagonist". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/15/2011)
