Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights to visit Tunisia

The visit takes place in the context of the privileged relations between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs will hold a series of exchanges with various Tunisian stakeholders, in order to deepen their understanding of the latest political developments and current trends in the country ahead of the announced referendum on a constitutional reform planned for July 25 2022. MEPs will also discuss Tunisian needs and avenues to be explored in relation to the core elements of the partnership.

The delegation is aiming to meet representatives of Tunisian political parties and of social partners’ organisations, and a broad range of civil society organisations, representatives of institutional bodies, local stakeholders and experts active in areas related to the rule of law and human rights. In their interactions with their Tunisian counterparts, MEPs will highlight issues such as democracy, rule of law and human rights, in line with the Subcommittee’s parliamentary mandate, and in the spirit of the recently-extended EU-Tunisia Strategic Priorities that were agreed in 2018. MEPs are expected to raise Tunisia’s current political reforms as well as the reform of judiciary, the fight against corruption, social and economic rights, migration and women’s rights in these discussions.

There will also be an emphasis during the delegation’s visit on continuing Parliament’s long-standing engagement with civil society actors that remain key interlocutors in shaping and monitoring EU-Tunisia cooperation, including in light of the 2021 EU Agenda for the Mediterranean.

The delegation of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights comprises Chair Maria Arena (S&D, Belgium), as well as MEPs Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany), Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, Italy), Jaak Madison (ID, Estonia) and Karol Karski (ECR, Poland).