[Chapter-delegates] Swiss president censored by Tunisia

[Rosa Delgado]

Swiss president censored by Tunisia

16th November 2005 par Thomas Stephens (swissinfo)

Swiss President Samuel Schmid has been censored by Tunisian television
for harshly criticising states that muzzle civil liberties.

Samuel Schmid (JPG) Schmid's comments at the opening of the World Summit
on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis drew lengthy applause from
delegates who were his only audience.

"It is, quite frankly, unacceptable for the United Nations to continue
to include among its members states which imprison citizens for the sole
reason that they have criticised their government on the internet or in
the media," Schmid said in his opening speech.

"As far as I'm concerned, it goes without saying that here in Tunis -
inside these walls as well as outside - everyone can express themselves
freely. It is one of the conditions sine qua non for the success of this
international conference."

He added that any knowledge society "respects the independence of its
media as it respects human rights".

Schmid was referring to various recent incidents in which members of
international civil society and the media have experienced firsthand the
Tunisian government's physical reaction to negative analysis.

One journalist was stabbed in Tunis, many others assaulted and
WSIS-related websites have been blocked.

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