Human Rights in Tunisia : 1987-1997

1992
Human Rights In Tunisia : 1987-1997

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997
Jan. 23, 1992
President Ben Ali orders the creation of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies within the Ministry of Justice.

Jan. 28, 1992
Tunisia is elected vice-chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission at its 48th session, in Geneva.

March 2, 1992
Tunisia hosts the 11th session of the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights.

March 20, 1992
The National Pact is ratified by additional national organizations and bodies.

April 2, 1992
The law governing associations is amended to promote the practice of democracy and encourage greater individual participation in such organizations.

May 18, 1992
A law on drugs is enacted.

May 28, 1992
A circular is published creating a human rights unit within the general directorate of political affairs in the Ministry of the Interior, with the purpose of strengthening national mechanisms to promote and defend human rights.

July 20, 1992
A decree is enacted creating a human rights unit in the cabinet of the Minister of Justice.

Aug. 13, 1992
President Ben Ali chairs the ceremonies of Women's and Family Day. He announces in his speech a series of measures to promote women's rights and safeguard the family.

Sept. 17, 1992
The decision is made to include representatives of the legal opposition parties in TV and radio programs, so as to enhance intellectual plurality and promote freedom of opinion and expression.

Sept. 17, 1992
The decision is made for coverage of opposition parties and national organizations by public news media, especially in the discussion of important issues and national or international events.

Sept. 17, 1992
The Higher Communication Council is strengthened by the addition of new members reflecting various intellectual and political currents.

Oct. 16, 1992
President Ben Ali chairs a limited cabinet meeting to examine a bill amending certain provisions of the Code of Penal Procedures, as an element in strengthening human rights.

Oct. 23, 1992
President Ben Ali chairs a limited cabinet meeting to examine a series of bills intended to implement the measures he had announced on August 13, 1992 to strengthen the gains of women and the family.

Oct. 26, 1992
A pilot center is created for minors who are under observation, to strengthen the attention accorded to delinquent children.

Oct. 31, 1992
Tunisia hosts a conference on "Journalists and human rights in Africa."

Nov. 2, 1992
Tunisia hosts the African regional meeting of the World Conference on Human Rights (to be held in Vienna in June 1993).

Nov. 4, 1992
President Ben Ali chairs a meeting of the Council of Ministers to examine a bill that would amend and complete certain articles in the Code of Penal Procedures (reducing the duration of preventive detention for both misdemeanors and crimes; specifying the time allowed the courts to pronounce on cases where prisoners are being held; and automatically restoring the rights of ex-convicts after a specified time).

Nov. 4, 1992
The Council of Ministers examines a bill to amend the Press Code, making fundamental changes in most of the articles directly related to freedom of opinion and expression and introducing a number of provisions to improve the system of the dépôt légal (formal deposit of a copy of publications prior to their distribution), reduce the number of punishable offences and introduce the principle according to which any alleged defamation must be proven.

Nov. 8, 1992
The first international forum on "Education for democracy" is organized by UNESCO at Tunisia's initiative.

Nov. 8, 1992
Mr. Federico Mayor, UNESCO Director General, awards the UNESCO prize for human rights teaching to the Arab Institute of Human Rights, represented by its chairman, Mr. Hassib Ben Ammar.

Dec. 10, 1992
The position of "administrative mediator" is created to mediate between government services and the public.

Dec. 10, 1992
President Ben Ali signs a decree broadening the powers of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, increasing the number of its members and authorizing its chairman, upon instructions by the Head of State, to visit prisons, detention centers and shelters and observation centers for juvenile deliquents, to determine the degree to which the laws and regulations governing detention, prisons and the sheltering and observation of minors are respected.

Dec. 27, 1992
At the closing session of the budget debates, President Ben Ali announces the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994, and the amendment of the Electoral Code to confirm pluralism within the Chamber of Deputies.



	1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997		Jan. 23, 1992 President Ben Ali orders the creation of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies within the Ministry of Justice. Jan. 28, 1992 Tunisia is elected vice-chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission at its 48th session, in Geneva. March 2, 1992 Tunisia hosts the 11th session of the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights. March 20, 1992 The National Pact is ratified by additional national organizations and bodies. April 2, 1992 The law governing associations is amended to promote the practice of democracy and encourage greater individual participation in such organizations. May 18, 1992 A law on drugs is enacted. May 28, 1992 A circular is published creating a human rights unit within the general directorate of political affairs in the Ministry of the Interior, with the purpose of strengthening national mechanisms to promote and defend human rights. July 20, 1992 A decree is enacted creating a human rights unit in the cabinet of the Minister of Justice. Aug. 13, 1992 President Ben Ali chairs the ceremonies of Women's and Family Day. He announces in his speech a series of measures to promote women's rights and safeguard the family. Sept. 17, 1992 The decision is made to include representatives of the legal opposition parties in TV and radio programs, so as to enhance intellectual plurality and promote freedom of opinion and expression. Sept. 17, 1992 The decision is made for coverage of opposition parties and national organizations by public news media, especially in the discussion of important issues and national or international events. Sept. 17, 1992 The Higher Communication Council is strengthened by the addition of new members reflecting various intellectual and political currents. Oct. 16, 1992 President Ben Ali chairs a limited cabinet meeting to examine a bill amending certain provisions of the Code of Penal Procedures, as an element in strengthening human rights. Oct. 23, 1992 President Ben Ali chairs a limited cabinet meeting to examine a series of bills intended to implement the measures he had announced on August 13, 1992 to strengthen the gains of women and the family. Oct. 26, 1992 A pilot center is created for minors who are under observation, to strengthen the attention accorded to delinquent children. Oct. 31, 1992 Tunisia hosts a conference on "Journalists and human rights in Africa." Nov. 2, 1992 Tunisia hosts the African regional meeting of the World Conference on Human Rights (to be held in Vienna in June 1993). Nov. 4, 1992 President Ben Ali chairs a meeting of the Council of Ministers to examine a bill that would amend and complete certain articles in the Code of Penal Procedures (reducing the duration of preventive detention for both misdemeanors and crimes; specifying the time allowed the courts to pronounce on cases where prisoners are being held; and automatically restoring the rights of ex-convicts after a specified time). Nov. 4, 1992 The Council of Ministers examines a bill to amend the Press Code, making fundamental changes in most of the articles directly related to freedom of opinion and expression and introducing a number of provisions to improve the system of the dépôt légal (formal deposit of a copy of publications prior to their distribution), reduce the number of punishable offences and introduce the principle according to which any alleged defamation must be proven. Nov. 8, 1992 The first international forum on "Education for democracy" is organized by UNESCO at Tunisia's initiative. Nov. 8, 1992 Mr. Federico Mayor, UNESCO Director General, awards the UNESCO prize for human rights teaching to the Arab Institute of Human Rights, represented by its chairman, Mr. Hassib Ben Ammar. Dec. 10, 1992 The position of "administrative mediator" is created to mediate between government services and the public. Dec. 10, 1992 President Ben Ali signs a decree broadening the powers of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, increasing the number of its members and authorizing its chairman, upon instructions by the Head of State, to visit prisons, detention centers and shelters and observation centers for juvenile deliquents, to determine the degree to which the laws and regulations governing detention, prisons and the sheltering and observation of minors are respected. Dec. 27, 1992 At the closing session of the budget debates, President Ben Ali announces the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994, and the amendment of the Electoral Code to confirm pluralism within the Chamber of Deputies.