LOC17:42
14:42 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 28 (KUNA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that Tunisia "experienced an alarming erosion of democratic norms over the past year and reversed many of the Tunisian people's hard-won gains since 2011."
"Tunisia's July 25 constitutional referendum was marked by low voter participation," Blinken said in a statement.
He added "we share the concerns expressed by many Tunisians that the process of drafting the new constitution limited the scope for genuine debate and also that the new constitution could weaken Tunisia's democracy and erode respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."
He stressed that "an inclusive and transparent reform process is crucial going forward to begin to restore the confidence of the millions of Tunisians who either did not participate in the referendum or opposed the new constitution."
"In particular, we urge the swift adoption of an inclusive electoral law that facilitates the broadest possible participation in legislative elections planned for December, including among those who opposed or boycotted the constitutional referendum," he continued.
The US top diplomat affirmed that the US "has and will continue to use all tools at our disposal to support the Tunisian people in forging a democratic and accountable government that preserves the space for free debate and dissent, safeguards the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, promotes long-term prosperity, respects judicial independence and the rule of law and establishes the checks and balances critical to the health of all democracies."
"The United States strongly supports Tunisia's democracy and the aspirations of the Tunisian people for a secure and prosperous future," he said. "The US-Tunisia partnership is strongest when there is a shared commitment to democracy and human rights." (end)
si.aa