The new Middle East / Other publications
Tunisia: EU incentives contributing to new repression
09/09/2010 By Kristina Kausch
The ‘advanced status’ is an upgrade of relations offered by the European Union meant as a major incentive to foster economic and political reform in neighbouring countries. In Tunisia, however, the outlook of reaching a substantially higher economic integration with the EU has led the country to embark on a backlash against critics at home.
Tunisian human rights activists have been voicing strong concern over the Ben Ali government’s highly repressive practices, and have urged the EU to make the upgrade conditional to improvements on the currently severe human rights situation in Tunisia. Unhappy about these lobbying efforts, the regime has engineered the passing of a new bill that will forbid Tunisian activists to liaise with the EU in the future. Whether or not the intended purpose of the ‘advanced status’ of providing positive incentives for democratic reforms can still be met, will depend on the EU’s reaction.
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Keywords
Civil society Democracy promotion EU European Neighbourhood Policy TunisiaRelated publications
Bio author: Kristina Kausch
Democracy promotion. Maghreb. Egypt. Morocco. Tunisia. Mediterranean. Political Islam.
