U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

Universal Periodic Review 27th Session

As delivered by Jason Mack
Geneva, May 2, 2017 

Thank you Mr. President.

The United States warmly welcomes the Tunisian delegation.

We commend Tunisia for expanding access to prisons for independent observers and for revisions to the code of criminal procedures.

We are concerned by the lack of transparency in investigating recent reports of security forces abuses, arbitrary detentions, and arrests under the state of emergency and counterterrorism laws.

Ongoing arrests of individuals for consensual same-sex adult conduct are inconsistent with international human rights obligations.  Court-ordered anal exams without consent are also troubling.

We recommend that Tunisia:

1. Ensure all allegations of excessive use of force or other security force abuses are investigated in a prompt, effective, and independent manner.

2. Ensure security measures under state of emergency or counterterrorism laws maintain the human rights of suspects, detainees, and their families.

3. Amend Article 230 of the Penal Code to end criminalization of same-sex sexual relations.

Thank you Mr. President.