Out of our firm belief that the individual and collective freedoms in the Arab world, in particular, are still in urgent need for support and we are motivated by our permanent endeavor of further support for the efforts of the Arab and human rights activity and to stand in the face of the violations and abuses that were committed by some regimes against their citizens or components of its civil and native society alike. After the investigation regarding Tunisia’s interim government decisions related to freezing and stopping the activities of a large number of associations, the number of these associations reached for more than 150 regular and legal associations. The International Association of Rights and Freedoms in Geneva, in this context ,is interested in expressing its deep disapproval of such selective prejudices against Islamic associations, especially in Tunisia, without arguments or evidence and it is clear violation of the decree number 88 for the year 2011 on the organization of associations in Tunisia. Accordingly, the Association calls on the current Tunisian government to: - Respect the law, including the Tunisian Constitution and international conventions ratified by Tunisia and especially to respect the provisions of the decree number 88 for the year 2011, and not to take fighting against terrorism as a pretext to crack down on Islamic associations for other purposes that may be related to political or partisan dimensions, especially with the absence of any incriminating evidence against this peaceful and active associations in the Tunisian civil society. - Be away from engaging in political bickering and partisan quotas or appease certain parties without the other, and falling under the media and political pressure at the expense of one class without others of the legal and activist associations in the field. - Impose the respect for the law above all, especially the respect of laws that are related to the protection of rights and freedoms, in particular, the new Tunisian constitution, the leader in this field and the international conventions, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the decree number 88 for the year 2011. The association also, in this context, calls for all free forces in Tunisia and that believe in the individual and collective rights and freedoms, headed by the Presidency and the Tunisian Constituent Assembly, Presidency and members, to stand up against these serious abuses which indicate to a dangerous turn and way that might be attached by more dangerous decisions which might exceed associations to reach the political parties, organizations , bodies and individuals under the same pretext of fighting against terrorism and the prevention of it which is, unfortunately, a pretext is used by several Arab regimes to crack down on freedoms and trapping opponents and aspiring to a better life and more freedom and dignity. The Association also expresses its position from the Tunisian government, which is mentioned above, about the continuous restricting of the associations, the rights and freedoms. The association also confirms on the right of all Arab regimes and governments in confronting extremism and criminality with its many and different forms and prevention of it but without prejudice to the margin of freedoms and fundamental rights, individual and collective, that are imposed by the law and the international and regional conventions and treaties which remains the main guarantee for the lack of predominance and persistence of dictatorship, tyranny and injustice. The International Association of Rights and Freedoms
22 Shawal 1435 19 August 2014 No. 8/2014 Kuwait The illegal stopping of the associations in Tunisia is a serious indicator for the return of the violation of freedoms