Anouar Kousri

Front Line is deeply concerned by reports of police harassment of human rights defenders Anouar Kousri and Samir Dilou. Anouar Kousri is a board member of the Ligue tunisienne des droits de l'Homme – LTDH (Tunisian Human Rights League) and Samir Dilou is a board member of the Association internationale de soutien aux prisonniers politiques en Tunisie – AISPP (International Association for the Support of Political Prisoners).

Further Information

Posted 08/07/2008 On 29 June 2008, Anouar Kousri returned to Tunis after participating in demonstrations in several European cities organised by Amnesty International to mark the publication, on 23 June 2008, of a report concerning systematic violations of human rights in the name of security in Tunisia. Upon Anouar Kousri's arrival, customs agents reportedly searched his baggage, confiscated his passport and requested a body search. When Anouar Kousri refused, he was detained for two hours. At approximately 16.00, Anouar Kousri was surrounded by police officers who brought him by force to a small room and attempted to carry out a body search.

On 30 June, at approximately 14.00, the district police chief came to Anouar Kousri's residence and requested that he present himself at the police station at 16.00 for questioning. Anouar Kousri refused on the grounds that the legislation stipulates that such requests must be made in writing. At 17.00, the police chief returned to the home of Anouar Kousri, who again refused to come to the police station on the same grounds. Reports indicate that Samir Dilou, who was present with Anouar Kousri at a press conference held by Amnesty International in Paris on 23 June to present the report, has also been subjected to similar harassment.

Front Line believes that the harassment of the two human rights defenders since their return to Tunisia is directly related to their legitimate and peaceful activities in defense of human rights, in particular through their exercise of freedom of expression and assembly. In light of these reports, Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Anouar Kousri and Samir Dilou.