Pillay condemns assassination of Tunisian activist
February 7, 2013: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned
Wednesday the assassination of Chokri Belaid, Secretary General of the Democratic
Patriots Movement and one of the leaders of the Popular Front in Tunisia.
“I
was extremely saddened to hear the shocking news of Mr. Belaid’s murder,” Pillay said.
“He was a prominent defender of human rights and democratic values, and a firm opponent
of political violence, which just yesterday he publicly condemned as ‘a blow against
the democratic process in the country.’”
The victim was shot as he was leaving
his home in Tunis on Wednesday morning.
“This crime has been committed in
an environment of increasing political violence, including attacks on political parties'
premises and gatherings, and killing of another political leader in the South of Tunisia
last October,” Pillay said. “I strongly condemn such acts, which – as Mr. Belaid himself
said so clearly – threatens to seriously undermine the democratic transition in post-revolution
Tunisia. I call on all actors in government and civil society to unite strongly behind
Mr. Belaid’s campaign against political violence. That would, at least, provide him
with a fitting memorial for his invaluable work as a human rights defender and opponent
of violence.”
Pillay called on the authorities to take serious measures to
investigate his killing and other apparently politically motivated crimes, as well
as to provide better protection to people who, like Chokri Belaid, have received threats
and are clearly at risk.