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UNI Global Union has condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms’ the murder of Tunisian politician Mr Mohamed Brahmi, who was killed in a shooting outside his home in Tunis on Thursday.



Mr Brahmi, 58, was a progressive leader, a key component of the People’s Movement Party and a member of the Tunisian parliament. He was known as an outspoken critic of the ruling Islamist Ennahda Party. His death comes at a time of increasing tension in Tunisia, and amid repeated attacks on union leaders, journalists, political activists and civilians. The murder follows the February killing of another leftist leader, the Democratic Patriotic Party Secretary General Mr Chokri Belaid.



UNI Global Union has called upon Tunisian authorities to ensure perpetrators of such attacks are brought to justice.



Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union said: “It goes without saying that we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. It was brazen, cowardly, and must not go unpunished.” Jennings said. “The Tunisian authorities must ensure that all politicians are able to express themselves freely without fearing for their own life. Our thoughts are with Mr Brahmi’s family. We stand in solidarity with the Tunisian people and fully support today's strike action called by the UGTT.”



All flights to and from Tunisia today have been cancelled after the country’s biggest labour organisation, UGTT, called for a general strike to protest Mr Brahmi’s murder.