A delegation of Swiss non-governmental organisations is visiting Tunisia for talks on the restitution of funds to the new government there.
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swissinfo.ch and agencies
The Geneva-based group, Right for All, said the NGO representatives would meet President Moncef Marzouki and Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali during the course of the week.
“A year ago we stood next to the Tunisian people, supporting them, and helping them regain their liberty and dignity. Today, we’re visiting Tunisia to say that Swiss civil society and politicians support the process [of bringing democracy and stability to the region],” Anouar Gharbi, president of Right for All, told swissinfo.ch.
“We’re also here to help in the returning of frozen assets of the dictator Ben Ali and his family… and we’re also going to try to take part in development projects.”
The talks will also focus on Switzerland’s possible role in the promotion of human rights in the region, a statement said.
It is the first meeting of its kind since the overthrow of the regime of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali a year ago.
Last October, Tunisia’s new rulers applied for legal assistance to return millions of dollars frozen in Switzerland.
Ben Ali and his entourage have placed assets worth an estimated SFr60 million ($64.3 million) in Swiss bank accounts.
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