Commissioner for Human Rights Policy Löning on the suspension of the sentences given to Femen activists in Tunisia

VIENNA, Austria, June 27, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Markus Löning, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy, issued the following statement today (27 June 2013) on the suspension of the sentences handed down to three Femen activists:

I am happy for the three women that they were able to leave prison. However, we must now devote our attention to Amina Sbouï and women in Tunisia. For I believe that there is no justification for holding Amina Sbouï in custody for expressing her views. She should be released and her case dismissed.

Tunisian women are fighting for equality and full recognition of their rights. We support them in their efforts. The Tunisian revolution must also bring women the hoped-for dignity and freedom.

Background:

A court in Tunis suspended the sentences given to the German and the two French activists. They were sentenced to four years in prison for staging a topless protest in front of the Tunis Palace of Justice in support of the release of Tunisian Femen activist Amina Sbouï. The 18-year old woman has been held in custody since mid-May after demonstrating against a Salafist gathering and writing the word “Femen” on a wall near a cemetery in Kairouan.

In mid-June Markus Löning visited the Femen activist in a prison in Tunis. During his trip he also discussed the situation of women in Tunisia with Tunisian civil rights activists.