Martin Scheinin, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, is due to begin a four-day fact-finding visit to Tunisia tomorrow.

Scheinin, a Finnish professor of international law, angered the Egyptian government last October with a highly critical report about systematic torture, secret detentions, extraordinary renditions and the regime's ham-fisted attempts to draft an anti-terrorism law.

His UN role is to help ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms while combating terrorism.

Considering Tunisia's record in this area, his latest mission may cause some sparks. He is due to wind up his visit with a press conference in Tunis on Tuesday.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 22 January 2010.