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| Call for solidarity with the Tunesian League for Human Rights | Date: 21-05-2004 |
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Press Release UPDATE ON THE EMHRN CALL FOR SOLIDARITY WITH THE TUNISIAN LEAGUE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Dear friends, We are very pleased to announce that the EMHRN members have so far contributed with 4800 Euro to the Tunisian League for Human Rights. With only six days to go before the Ligue has to pay the 12000 Euro for the rent of its office to maintain a possibility to meet, we kindly ask members to consider their possibility of making a financial contribution to help us to reach the full amount needed. Just to recall: The Tunisian authorities have been blocking the League’s funds from the European Commission since August 2003 and the League is therefore in danger of losing its offices. Unless they find 12,000 Euro before 31st of May 2004 they cannot pay rent for the League’s headquarter and its ten regional offices. The Tunisian League for Human Rights is a member of the EMHRN, and one of oldest human rights organizations in the Arab world and also one of the few independent organizations in Tunisia. The League has been subjected to continued harassment by the Tunisian authorities which have launched several lawsuits against the League, defamation campaigns, intimidation of its members, interference with meetings etc (for further information, please see attached extract from the annual report of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, 2003). As a means of halting the Tunisian League from performing its work, the Tunisian authorities have blocked the League from receiving its second installment of a grant from the European Commission’s European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. While several NGOs are putting political pressure on the Tunisian authorities to lift the block of the installment to the Tunisian League and to allow all independent Tunisian organisations to receive foreign funding (see the attached urgent appeal from the Observatory), the League is in URGENT need of funds to pay the rent for its offices. The EMHRN appeals to its members to show solidarity with the League by making a financial contribution enabling the League to pay its rent. We have already secured 500 Euros from 80:20 Educating and acting for a Better World, provided other organizations will make contributions as well. As the League cannot receive foreign funds, the EMHRN will ensure that your contribution reaches the League, so kindly inform me about your support. Marit Floe Jorgensen Email-address Ph.: +45 32 54 45 29 |
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