Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi visited Jordan yesterday to discuss increased cooperation in the military and security fields. Essebsi had a private talk with King Abdullah II of Jordan, before holding a working session with delegations from both countries, according to a statement from the royal palace. While trade between the two countries remains limited, (about thirty million US dollars per year) the two leaders used the visit to oversee the signing of cooperation agreements in the areas of military, security and civil protection. They also stressed the importance of increasing bilateral cooperation in other areas, principally in new technologies, energy, health, education and tourism. According to the Royal Palace talks also covered the latest Israeli escalation in the West Bank and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. They also discussed the fight against terrorism , as well as the ongoing situation in Libya. The official visit of Amman followed Essebsi’s previous two-day working visit to Egypt at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. Echoing the Amman agenda, Essebsi’s Cairo visit was also used to discuss improving Tunisian-Egyptian relations. The President’s Egyptian talks focused on major regional and international issues of mutual interest, specifically the Libyan crisis as well as ways to strengthen co-operation in the fight against terrorism and securing borders, as reported by TAP. Tunisia’s current diplomatic efforts in Jordan and Egypt are taking place despite the vocal concerns of Human Rights groups about violations in both countries. Human Rights Watch, (HRW) have reported several cases of deaths in Egypt related to state violence, including the abduction of dozens of detainees , ill-treatment and torture, as well as the mass trials and capital sentences handed down to members of the Muslim Brotherhood and members of Egypt’s opposition. Jordan also has an established record of human rights violations, particularly where press freedom is concerned. Employing the country’s terrorism law, many journalists and writers were detained during July 2015 and currently face terrorism charges. Accusations of Human Rights abuses have not been limited to Jordan and Egypt, with Tunisia also being accused of misusing its latest anti terror law and state of emergency to restrict civil society and media freedom. By Zeineb Marzouk | source TunisiaLive Prime Minister Habib Essid has dismissed Justice Minister Mohamed Salah Ben Aissa from his duties, according to an official statement published on the page of Presidency. Defence Minister Farhat Horchani looks set to take over the role of Interim Justice Minister in his absence. Following the news, Mr Ben Aissa took to the airwaves to outline the reasons why he believes he was axed. “I was expecting this decision, he told Mosaique FM. “I was asked to attend today’s session on the ratification of the Basic Law of the Superior Council of Magistracy. “I am not convinced by the text because it is very far from the draft which was submitted by the government.” The Minister refused the attend the ratification of a law draft which called for the creation of a Superior Council of Magistracy amid discussions regarding judicial reforms. “The government solidarity should not be established by giving up one’s convictions”,he added. The Minister previously found himself in hot water when he spoke of his desire to scrap the controversial Article 230 which criminalises homosexuality. While discussing the controversial case of ‘Marwen’ earlier this month, Mr Ben Aissa stated his personal opposition to the anti-gay law, which he described as being against the constitution. This opinion has seen quickly contradicted by the President Beji Caid Essebsi, who told an Egyptian TV host: “The Justice Minister’s request to cancel Article 230 represents only himself and not the state.” “It will not happen.” he added. By Zeineb Marzouk | source TunisiaLive |
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