Tunisian hunger striker taken to hospital

Tunisia: A Tunisian lawyer and human rights activist who started a hunger-strike protest on October 15th has been taken to hospital…

Tunisia: A Tunisian lawyer and human rights activist who started a hunger-strike protest on October 15th has been taken to hospital in Tunis with kidney problems.

Ms Radhia Nasraoui has said she was protesting against alleged surveillance of her home and office, as well as interference with her correspondence and telephone calls.

She said her office had been searched and equipment and confidential files relating to her clients seized.

The Irish-based human rights group, Front Line, said in a statement yesterday that on July 13th, Ms Nasraoui was assaulted by Tunisian police and that this incident had yet to be investigated, despite an official complaint.

Front Line called on the Government here to put pressure through the EU on the Tunisian authorities to "cease all harassment" of Ms Nasraoui immediately and for a full investigation into the alleged assault.

Ms Nasraoui was a participant at a Front Line conference in Dublin Castle last September.

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