Media and freedom of expression groups today, at the conclusion of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, called for a full investigation by the United Nations into attacks on human rights and freedom of expression that took place in Tunisia on the eve of and during the World Summit on the Information Society.

Steve Buckley, President of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and Chair of the Tunisian Monitoring Group of freedom of expression organisations said:

“Never again should a United Nations World Summit be held in a country that does not respect its international commitments to human rights and freedom of expression.

“This week in Tunis, both inside and outside the official Summit, we have witnessed serious attacks on the right to freedom of expression including harassment of delegates, attacks on Tunisian and international journalists and human rights defenders, denial of entry to the country, the blocking of websites, the censorship of documents and speeches, and the prevention and disruption of meetings.”

In the face of these attacks, it is with relief that we acknowledge the reaffirmation of human rights principles and the right to freedom of expression that is contained in the Tunis Commitment of the World Summit on the Information Society.

On 30 September 2005, 37 governments called on Tunisia to make the WSIS a “Summit in Tunisia, not a Summit on Tunisia”. This week’s events have put the spotlight not only on Tunisia but also on the central importance of human rights and freedom of expression in the information society throughout the world.

We call on all stakeholders to ensure that human rights and freedom of expression is mainstreamed into all follow-up mechanisms including the Internet Governance Forum and we commit ourselves to working towards that objective.

Tunis, le 18 novembre 2005