The Mercury Blocking investment now crime in Tunisia
June 17, 2010 Edition 1 TUNIS: Tunisia has made it a crime for anyone to incite foreigners not to invest in the country, give loans or sign trade deals with it, in new legislation that government opponents say could be used to stifle criticism. The legislation comes at a time when Tunisia's application to the EU for "advanced status", which would give it preferential trade terms, could be complicated by opposition allegations about the government's human rights record. Justice and Human Rights Minister Lazhar Bououni said the amendments to the penal code, adopted by parliament on Tuesday, were in line with legislation in other countries and were needed to protect citizens. "The country's vital interests are anything that has to do with its economic security," the minister said. He denied that the legislation in any way limited freedom of expression. Examples of crimes under the new law included "inciting foreign parties not to give a loan to Tunisia, or to not invest in the country, as well as incitement to boycott tourism and obstructing Tunisia's efforts to obtain advanced partner status with the EU", Bououni said. President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali says he is committed to democracy and free speech. Opposition parties and human rights organisations say the Tunisian authorities suppress dissent and harass their opponents, allegations the government denies. Human rights campaigner and Ben Ali opponent Mohamed Abbou said the law could be used to imprison anti-government activists who sought help from foreigners. Lawyer Samir Ben Amor said anyone found guilty of the offences set out in the law could get between five and 12 years in prison. - Reuters _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
