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| Africa: North |
| Tunisian body slams activists defending terrorist detainees |
| 2005-02-22 |
| A Tunisian organization dedicated to defending the rights of terrorism victims criticized today as "a bit hasty" and "ill-advised" the positions taken by certain human rights activists in defense of a group of individuals arrested after having downloaded material from the internet as part of a conspiracy to commit terrorist acts. "As an organization dedicated to the rights of terrorism victims, we see this expression of support as a bit hasty," said the Tunisian association for terrorism victims in a statement issued in Geneva. It added, "the defendants have of course the right to all the legal guarantees under Tunisian law. But certain elements in the case are truly disturbing and should convince all parties interested in the case to be more cautious." Members of the group, known as "the Zarzis group" were tried and sentenced last year on charges of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism in the southern Tunisian city of Zarzis. Tunisia has unwaveringly taken a rigorous stand against terrorism. The Tunisian association for terrorism victims cited among the "disturbing" facts of the case the fact that "investigators in Tunisia have pointed out that members of the so-called "Zarzis group" have sought support abroad from the "Al-Qaeda" terrorist organization and also attempted to smuggle weapons into the Tunisia to commit acts of terrorism. By the time they were arrested, members of the group had already started manufacturing and storing explosives. They planned rocket attacks against a local secondary school and National Guard station, and were found in possession of files downloaded from the Internet regarding the manufacture and use of bombs, explosives, gun-silencers and combat munitions. "By arresting members of this group, the Tunisian authorities might have pre-empted a tragedy and prevented another casualty toll," stressed the organization. "A more socially-responsible attitude would be to discuss the means of preventing terrorist behavior and clearly denounce all forms of extremism and hate-mongering which lead to terrorism. The rights of all societies and human beings to life and safety require us all to do our share in this regard," added the statement. Although certain activists have taken up the case of "Zarzis group" as a case of individuals "with no crime except trying to access the Internet," a number of human rights organizations have taken a more cautious attitude on the issue and have abstained from defending members of the group. The Tunisian organization issued the statement in Geneva where is taking place the preparatory meeting for the world summit on the information society (WSIS) scheduled in Tunisia next November. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 Bravo. Very good. We need more clarity like this. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2005-02-22 1:13:03 PM |