Sarkozy's talk of growing freedom in Tunisia condemned as “unacceptable”

President Nicolas Sarkozy's claim yesterday, at the start of an official visit to Tunisia, that respect for freedom is growing there was condemned today as “unacceptable” by Reporters Without Borders, which wondered if Sarkozy had confused Tunisia with another country. “Freedom of expression is still just a dream in Tunisia,” the press freedom organisation said. “All the press can do is praise President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's record. Independent journalists and their families are subject to constant harassment, Human rights activists and unionists are exposed to the same treatment. “This is a stab in the back of the Tunisian activists who expected a great deal from President Sarkozy's visit. During his previous visit to Tunisia, the Elysée Palace boasted of raising the case of political prisoner Mohammed Abbou, who was released a few days later. This time Sarkozy is accompanied by dozens of businessmen and he has changed his approach. He has praised President Ben Ali although there has been no improvement in human rights. The difference is incomprehensible. “Mr. President, France can continue to do business with Tunisia while remaining lucid about the political reality in that country. Do not despise those in Tunisia who are fighting to make their voices heard at risk to their safety and freedom. Reporters Without Borders and many other human rights organisations are not allowed into Tunisia. Your presence should, more than ever, be used to promote the basis freedom that are constantly flouted there.” Shortly after arriving yesterday for a three-day official visit, Sarkozy said: “In a country where I come as a friend and I am received as a friend, I do not see why I would take it upon myself to give lessons. Today, the space for freedom is growing. I have full confidence in your desire to continue to expand the space for freedom.” President since 1987, Ben Ali is regarded by Reporters Without Borders as one of the world's 34 worst “press freedom predators.” Tunisia was ranked 145th out of 169 countries in the world press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders last October. Slim Boukhdir, correspondent of the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper and the Al-Arabiya TV station's website, is serving a one-year sentence in Sfax (230 km south of Tunis). He was arrested on the outskirts of Sfax on 26 November after an argument with policemen who were following him. The conditions in which he is being held are very disturbing. Two members of the staff of the weekly Al-Maoukif, the mouthpiece of the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), began a hunger strike on the eve of Sarkozy's arrival in protest against the repeated seizures of their newspaper. The police have seized four of the five latest issues from news stands without telling the staff. Al-Maoukif does not get any of the government subsidies that all newspapers are supposed to receive, and it does not get any state advertising. It therefore relies totally on its sales and the staff fears it could be forced to close for lack of funds if the seizures continue.