Eide condemns killing of politician in Tunisia

OSLO, Norway, February 7, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- “I condemn the killing of Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid. Mr Belaid was one of the most outspoken opposition politicians in Tunisia, and was particularly concerned about freedom of expression,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Chokri Belaid was a leader of the leftist Popular Front coalition in Tunisia. His murder is part of a recent trend in which we are seeing an increasing use of violence in Tunisia.

“The murder of Mr Belaid is a brutal attack on tolerance and respect for human rights, two of the most essential elements for building democracy in Tunisia,” Mr Eide said.

Mr Eide emphasised that Norway will urge the Tunisian authorities to bring those responsible for this killing to justice and to prosecute those responsible for other acts of political violence.

It is vital that all parties show restraint and refrain from violence during this difficult transition period for Tunisia. The Tunisian authorities have a particular responsibility in this respect.