Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its solidarity with the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR) and its concern over the Tunisian Government's decision to freeze the assets of the Institute.
This interference prevents the Institute from engaging effectively in its defense of human rights, and compromises its role as a promoter of multicultural values and tolerance in the Arab Region.
The Arab Institute for Human Rights was established in 1989 as an independent non-governmental organization by the Arab Organization for Human Rights, the Arab Bar Association, and the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights, with the support of the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the UNESCO and the UNICEF.
The mission of the Arab Institute for Human Rights centers is based on the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its supplementary documents and protocols.
To achieve its goals, the institute cooperates with a variety of Arab governments as well as regional and international organizations.
The institute receives funding from some of these regional and international organizations.
The Arab Institute refuses funding that may compromise its independence.
It makes public its distribution of funds in order to ensure better transparency.
As such, and considering the vital, constructive role played by the AIHR, Al Mezan regards the Tunisian Government’s decision to freeze the assets of the Arab Institute as an attempt to paralyze their organization.
Al Mezan demands the Tunisian Government reverse its decision and allow the Arab Institute to effectively continue its valued work.
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