Tunisia: Opposition Politician Who Defended Freedom of Information

press release

Shokri Belaid was the leader of a left wing opposition party - and an outspoken critic of the government. He was shot outside his home. Al Jazeera's ... ( Resource: Anger in Tunisia Over Slain Opposition Figure

Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns the fatal shooting of Chokri Belaïd, the general secretary of the United Democratic Patriots Party, today in Tunis.

As well as a leading member of the Tunisian opposition, Belaïd was a man of strong convictions and a staunch advocate of human rights and fundamental freedoms. As a lawyer, he often defended journalists and bloggers who were prosecuted for using the right to inform others.

Reporters Without Borders pays tribute to Belaïd's defence of media freedom and offers its condolences to his family and colleagues. It also calls on the authorities to identify this heinous murder's perpetrators and instigators and bring them to justice as quickly as possible.

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