Fahem Boukadous is an independent Tunisian journalist who is currently sitting in prison, suffering from severe asthma and not receiving proper medical attention. Many people, including his wife, fear that his four year term will turn into a death sentence.
Fahem was arrested the day after he was released from the hospital, on charges of "belonging to a criminal organization" and "disseminating material liable to disturb public order."
These charges were brought up because he was doing his job, reporting violent labor protests in the Gafsa mining region of Tunisia in 2008. The government is a self-professed democracy, but is not allowing Fahem Boukadous the freedom to do his job.
It's time to let the Tunisian government know that the world is watching, and if they want to have the respect of the international community, they need to respect human rights and freedom of expression.
Tell the Tunisian government to release Fahem Boukadous and allow him to get proper medical treatment.
Dear President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali,
Fahem Boukadous, the independent Tunisian journalist, now sits in a desert prison for doing nothing more than reporting about a violent protest in the Gafsa mining region.
Due to his severe asthma problems, and his lack of medical attention in the prison, many people fear his four year term will be a death sentence.
By denying him proper medical care, Tunisia is violating international conventions on the rights of detainees. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that denying this medical treatment is regarded as a violation of the ban on torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.
Fahem Boukadous shouldn't be in prison in the first place, and as a democracy, Tunisia should allow him his freedom of expression when reporting the news.
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The world is watching, and we call for Fahem Boukadous be given proper medical attention, and be immediately released from prison.
Thank you for your time.
