Tunis: Eight opposition political parties have strongly condemned the recent arrests of radio and television columnists and lawyers and called for the "withdrawal of Decree Law 54" (on combating offences related to information and communication systems). The government's aim is to silence all free voices among activists, journalists and lawyers," they said in a joint press release issued on Monday. "Political prisoners" must be released, they added. The "two police interventions" at the Lawyers' House "reflect the intimidation exercised by the current government against its opponents". According to these parties, "the return of torture against opposition figures also reflects the depth of the political crisis that has hit the ruling power". The parties also expressed their full solidarity with the lawyers in their "struggle for the independence of their profession and of the judiciary" in Tunisia. The signatory parties are: The Workers' Party, the Democratic Courant, the Socialist Party, Al Joumhouri, Al Massar, Afek Tounes, Al Qotb and Ettakatol. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse