Written question asked by Harriett Baldwin (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 March 2022. It was answered by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 11 March 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tunisia: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the political situation in Tunisia.

Answer: 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. We engage regularly with government leaders in the country, most recently on 1 March when the British Ambassador called on Prime Minister Najla Bouden. 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.

Secondary information