Letter to the Tunisian Ambassador
12 January 2011
The TUC General Secretary has written to the Tunisian Ambassador about the current protests in Tunisia.
H.E. Mr Hatem Atallah
Embassy of Tunisia
29 Prince's Gate
London SW7 1QG
Dear Ambassador
Violent repression of demonstrators
On behalf of the TUC, its 58 member trade unions and the 6.2 million workers they represent, I urge you to press your government to end the violent repression of demonstrators by the Tunisian security forces, bring those responsible to justice, and tackle Tunisia's serious unemployment crisis and regional inequalities.
In particular, I understand that the security services have attempted to storm the headquarters of the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT), our sister organisation in Tunisia, and I protest most strongly about this disgraceful attack on a democratic trade union organisation.
According to our colleagues in the UGTT, at least 50 people have been killed, with hundreds more injured as a result of the government crackdown. This is madness. No one should have to pay with their life for exercising their right to protest, and calling for a job.
I am pleased to learn that the government is now committed to creating 300,000 jobs over the next two years. But it must go much further by committing to concrete measures to fulfil this pledge, and opening a genuine dialogue with the Tunisian people, to promote more equitable development. And with even more urgency, your Government must immediately halt its violent repression of demonstrators, and bringing those responsible to justice.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
BRENDAN BARBER
General Secretary
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