Tunisia: Order of Lawyers condemns US meddling in national affairs

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The Tunisian Order of Lawyers considered that the US State Department's statement amounts to "blatant meddling in Tunisia's internal affairs and an infringement of national sovereignty."

This came in a statement issued on Friday by the Tunisian Order of Lawyers, in which it tersely opposed the US remarks, stressing that they violate the diplomatic immunities and privileges stipulated in article 37 of the Vienna Convention.

Read more: Washington Urges Tunisia to Return to its 'Democratic Path'

The Tunisian Order of Lawyers reiterated its condemnation of US meddling in Tunisian affairs, which entails "bargaining and exploiting the country's economic situation to impose certain alternatives that serve its interests." 

In its statement, the Tunisian Order of Lawyers asserted its support for President Kais Saied's measures.

The statement comes after the US State Department said it "shared concerns" over the referendum vote which took place on Monday.

“Tunisia’s July 25 constitutional referendum was marked by low voter participation.  We share the concerns expressed by many Tunisians that the process of drafting the new constitution limited the scope for genuine debate and also that the new constitution could weaken Tunisia’s democracy and erode respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Thursday morning.

“Tunisia has experienced an alarming erosion of democratic norms over the past year and reversed many of the Tunisian people’s hard-won gains since 2011,” he added.

The statement went on to say that “an inclusive and transparent reform process is crucial going forward to begin to restore the confidence of the millions of Tunisians who either did not participate in the referendum or opposed the new constitution."

After Saied suspended Tunisia's parliament in July 2021, "the US spoke with the president and issued a statement in which Secretary Blinken stated that Washington would "continue to monitor the situation and stay engaged."

Since the referendum, several US senators and members of Congress have blatantly issued statements condemning the results and the Tunisian President.