Written question asked by Neil Coyle (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 8 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2022. It was answered by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 February 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tunisia: Administration of Justice

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure that the Government's diplomatic position is fully aligned with G7 condemnation of the Tunisian dissolution of the judicial council.

Answer: The UK believes that checks and balances are needed in all political systems and an independent judiciary is a core component of a functioning, transparent democracy. The UK's Ambassador to Tunisia, along with other G7 Heads of Mission, issued a joint statement on 8 February expressing concern about the decision to dissolve Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council. These issues were also discussed in person in a subsequent meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister Jerandi. The full statement can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/supreme-judicial-court-in-tunisia-ambassadors-joint-statement-8-february-2022.

Secondary information