Human Rights in Tunisia : 1987-1997

1997
Human Rights In Tunisia : 1987-1997

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

Jan. 3, 1997
Presentation to the Council of Ministrs of the first annual Report on the Rights of the Child, by the Minister of Youth and Children, in application of decisions taken in this respect by the President of the Republic.

Feb. 3, 1997
Publication of law no. 97-4 amending law no. 60-30 organizing the social security schemes. The intent of this law is to improve social security services and to reduce the burden of welfare payments to be made by enterprises.

March 3, 1997
Promulgation of the law authorizing the Republic of Tunisia to endorse the international convention on the taking of hostages.

March 22, 1997
Publication of the law providing that those in whose favor decisions and final judgments have been proonounced may register these decisions and judgments for the minimum fee, to facilitate recovery of their rights.

April 2, 1997
The Seventh Mediterranean conference of Red Crescent and Red Cross Organizations awards the first gold medal to President Ben Ali, in recognition of his efforts to confirm human rights and strengthen the principles of peace and tolerance.

Apr. 26, 1997
Tunisia hosts a conference of directors of Arab and African newspapers on "The Arab and African press and the challenges of globalization and technology." The decision was made, during this conference, to create a federation of Arab and African newspapers, the head office of which is to be in Tunisia.

Apr. 28, 1997
Publication of a decree creating a Higher Youth Council, to strengthen the participation of youth in public life.

May 1, 1997
Tunisia is unanimously elected to membership in the International Human Rights Commission during the session of the Economic and Social Council held at United Nations headquarters in New York.

May 21, 1997
President Ben Ali decides to create the National Solidarity Bank, intending it as a mechanism for providing sources of revenue and access to social advancement for those who wish to launch small projects but do not have the financial means to do so.

May 27, 1997
The Union of Arab Lawyers chooses Tunisia as the venue for its 19th session, on the theme "For an Arab order capable of meeting current international changes."

June 2, 1997
President Ben Ali receives the Emblem of Arab Lawyers from the Secretary General of the Arab Lawyers Union, who declares that this is "a tribute to the outstanding role played by the President of the Republic to restore Arab solidarity and reinforce cohesion in the Arab ranks."

June 3, 1997
Reelection of a Tunisian expert to membership in the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights.

July 21, 1997
Publication of the law on public financing of political parties, to foster political pluralism and confirm the role of these parties in the country's political life.

July 28, 1997
Publication of the law modifying the law of December 14, 1960 organizing the social security system. This law provides that the right to care is to be maintained up to the age of 20 for children who are dependents of social insurance contributors, and beyond that age for those who are disabled or suffer from incurable diseases which make it impossible for them to exercise a profession, if they are not covered by a private structure, and for daughters who have no source of income and are not married.

July 28, 1997
President Ben Ali receives, from the chairman of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Committee's annual report for the year 1996.

Aug. 11, 1997
President Ben Ali decides upon the adoption of new measures in favor of the family, women and children, including in particular:

Simplification of contacts with the Alimony and Child Support Fund, so that those eligible may benefit from the fund and to facilitate the obtention of legal assistance for women of limited income.
Adjustment of the age at which children benefit from the services of the fund in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Personal Status that pertain to this matter.
Adaptation of certain articles of the Code of Obligations and Contracts to developments in the situation of women and to their role in the economic sphere.

Aug.14, 1997
President Ben Ali receives, from the Administrative Mediator, the 4th annual report on the activity of that institution's services during 1996, and recommends to continue efforts aiming at improving contact between the Mediator and the administration and to reinforce the public's confidence in the administration.

Oct. 9, 1997
President Ben Ali decides to eliminate the State Secretariat for Information, confirming progress in the strategy of information whose mechanisms and aspects complement one another and which have been implemented so that the information sector in Tunisia might occupy the place it merits on the international scene, against a background of global change.

Oct. 27,1997
Publication of the constitutional law amending and completing certain articles of the constitution. These amendments confirm the sovereignty of the people through a broadening of the scope of referendum, and delineate the domains that are the province of the legislative branch and those that depend upon the executive branch. They also introduce provisions that concern political parties, to strengthen the democratic process and promote political pluralism. The minimum age for eligibility for election to the Chamber of Deputies has been lowered to 23, and candidacy for such election is now open to all citizens born of a Tunisian mother or father, a measure intended to confirm the equality of men and women.

Nov. 4, 1997
UNESCO awards President Ben Ali the first medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of its creation.

Nov. 7, 1997
On the 10th anniversary of the Change, President Ben Ali announces a series of measures designed to strengthen the foundations of the Republic and reinforce the gains of the last decade, so as to reaffirm the bases of the rule of law, confirm democracy and pluralism in the law and in practice, promote and disseminate greater awareness of human rights.

Presentation of a draft constitutional amendment intended to make the Constitutional Council's recommendations binding upon all authorities and all powers.
Strengthening of the current electoral system (which enabled the opposition to obtain seats in the Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1994) so that the opposition might obtain a minimum of approximately 20% of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies during the next elections; this is to be achieved by increasing the number of seats allocated nationally.
Strengthen pluralism on the municipal councils by setting a ceiling on the number of seats that may be occupied by the party with the largest number of votes; this will ensure the other lists of a minimum number of seats representing some 20%, following the next municipal elections.
Seek a means by which, at least during a period of transition, to elicit candidacies for the office of President of the Republic for the next presidential elections.
Adopt rules organizing the holding of plenary sessions of the Chamber of Deputies outside the classic framework, so that such sessions may provide an occasion for more thorough discussion of important or urgent questions, in accordance with the role of the Chamber of Deputies, which will thereby gain in efficiency through discussion of important or urgent issues, and through purely legislative work. Invitation of the audiovisual media and the press to inform public opinion regarding the content of this dialogue and the work of the Chamber of Deputies in general, so that the public may follow major national issues and matters arising in political life.
Revision of the law concerning passports, on a basis of freedom of circulation within and outside the country. Henceforth, the judge is the only reference with respect to prohibition of travel outside the country and withdrawal of the travel document.
Providing connection to the Internet for all universities and scientific research institutions; connection of secondary schools will then follow in stages up until the end of the current plan, and primary schools may be connected during a subsequent stage.
Elimination of the Secretariat of State for Information, as a measure aimed at enabling the information sector to carry out its mission properly. A plan of coherent mechanisms and dimensions has been drawn up to see that this sector occupies its proper place in the dynamic of global change. President Ben Ali also recalled the various legal guarantees provided to protect journalists against any interference in their activities.
In this connection, President Ben Ali called for those responsible for press enterprises to seek quality, to raise the media discourse to an outstanding level, and to approach issues honestly, audaciously and responsibly, saying that professionals in this field "no longer have any excuse for evading their responsibilities or resorting to the easy way out through self-censorship."

Nov. 10, 1997
President Ben Ali announces, in a speech before a women's meeting, that a bill has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies concerning the system of community property between spouses, to strengthen family relations and confirm partnership within the couple.

Dec.3, 1997
The Council of Ministers studies the bill pertaining to an organic law amending and completing the Electoral Code, following the last constitutional amendment (constitutional law published on October 27, 1997), the purpose of which is to the confirm the measures announced by President Ben Ali in his speech on November 7, 1997 aimed at strengthening pluralism within elected institutions.

Dec. 4, 1997
President Ben Ali receives the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Ancona, in recognition of "his excellent management of economic affairs and the strengthening of human and social rights in Tunisia, making the country a model of economic and social development and a fine example of democracy," as recorded in the minutes of that university's Scientific Council.

Dec. 9, 1997
President Ben Ali chairs the opening ceremony of the celebration of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and awards the presidential prize for human rights for 1997 to the "Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity."



	1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997		Jan. 3, 1997 Presentation to the Council of Ministrs of the first annual Report on the Rights of the Child, by the Minister of Youth and Children, in application of decisions taken in this respect by the President of the Republic. Feb. 3, 1997 Publication of law no. 97-4 amending law no. 60-30 organizing the social security schemes. The intent of this law is to improve social security services and to reduce the burden of welfare payments to be made by enterprises. March 3, 1997 Promulgation of the law authorizing the Republic of Tunisia to endorse the international convention on the taking of hostages. March 22, 1997 Publication of the law providing that those in whose favor decisions and final judgments have been proonounced may register these decisions and judgments for the minimum fee, to facilitate recovery of their rights. April 2, 1997 The Seventh Mediterranean conference of Red Crescent and Red Cross Organizations awards the first gold medal to President Ben Ali, in recognition of his efforts to confirm human rights and strengthen the principles of peace and tolerance. Apr. 26, 1997 Tunisia hosts a conference of directors of Arab and African newspapers on "The Arab and African press and the challenges of globalization and technology." The decision was made, during this conference, to create a federation of Arab and African newspapers, the head office of which is to be in Tunisia. Apr. 28, 1997 Publication of a decree creating a Higher Youth Council, to strengthen the participation of youth in public life. May 1, 1997 Tunisia is unanimously elected to membership in the International Human Rights Commission during the session of the Economic and Social Council held at United Nations headquarters in New York. May 21, 1997 President Ben Ali decides to create the National Solidarity Bank, intending it as a mechanism for providing sources of revenue and access to social advancement for those who wish to launch small projects but do not have the financial means to do so. May 27, 1997 The Union of Arab Lawyers chooses Tunisia as the venue for its 19th session, on the theme "For an Arab order capable of meeting current international changes." June 2, 1997 President Ben Ali receives the Emblem of Arab Lawyers from the Secretary General of the Arab Lawyers Union, who declares that this is "a tribute to the outstanding role played by the President of the Republic to restore Arab solidarity and reinforce cohesion in the Arab ranks." June 3, 1997 Reelection of a Tunisian expert to membership in the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights. July 21, 1997 Publication of the law on public financing of political parties, to foster political pluralism and confirm the role of these parties in the country's political life. July 28, 1997 Publication of the law modifying the law of December 14, 1960 organizing the social security system. This law provides that the right to care is to be maintained up to the age of 20 for children who are dependents of social insurance contributors, and beyond that age for those who are disabled or suffer from incurable diseases which make it impossible for them to exercise a profession, if they are not covered by a private structure, and for daughters who have no source of income and are not married. July 28, 1997 President Ben Ali receives, from the chairman of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Committee's annual report for the year 1996. Aug. 11, 1997 President Ben Ali decides upon the adoption of new measures in favor of the family, women and children, including in particular: Simplification of contacts with the Alimony and Child Support Fund, so that those eligible may benefit from the fund and to facilitate the obtention of legal assistance for women of limited income. Adjustment of the age at which children benefit from the services of the fund in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Personal Status that pertain to this matter. Adaptation of certain articles of the Code of Obligations and Contracts to developments in the situation of women and to their role in the economic sphere. Aug.14, 1997 President Ben Ali receives, from the Administrative Mediator, the 4th annual report on the activity of that institution's services during 1996, and recommends to continue efforts aiming at improving contact between the Mediator and the administration and to reinforce the public's confidence in the administration. Oct. 9, 1997 President Ben Ali decides to eliminate the State Secretariat for Information, confirming progress in the strategy of information whose mechanisms and aspects complement one another and which have been implemented so that the information sector in Tunisia might occupy the place it merits on the international scene, against a background of global change. Oct. 27,1997 Publication of the constitutional law amending and completing certain articles of the constitution. These amendments confirm the sovereignty of the people through a broadening of the scope of referendum, and delineate the domains that are the province of the legislative branch and those that depend upon the executive branch. They also introduce provisions that concern political parties, to strengthen the democratic process and promote political pluralism. The minimum age for eligibility for election to the Chamber of Deputies has been lowered to 23, and candidacy for such election is now open to all citizens born of a Tunisian mother or father, a measure intended to confirm the equality of men and women. Nov. 4, 1997 UNESCO awards President Ben Ali the first medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of its creation. Nov. 7, 1997 On the 10th anniversary of the Change, President Ben Ali announces a series of measures designed to strengthen the foundations of the Republic and reinforce the gains of the last decade, so as to reaffirm the bases of the rule of law, confirm democracy and pluralism in the law and in practice, promote and disseminate greater awareness of human rights. Presentation of a draft constitutional amendment intended to make the Constitutional Council's recommendations binding upon all authorities and all powers. Strengthening of the current electoral system (which enabled the opposition to obtain seats in the Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1994) so that the opposition might obtain a minimum of approximately 20% of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies during the next elections; this is to be achieved by increasing the number of seats allocated nationally. Strengthen pluralism on the municipal councils by setting a ceiling on the number of seats that may be occupied by the party with the largest number of votes; this will ensure the other lists of a minimum number of seats representing some 20%, following the next municipal elections. Seek a means by which, at least during a period of transition, to elicit candidacies for the office of President of the Republic for the next presidential elections. Adopt rules organizing the holding of plenary sessions of the Chamber of Deputies outside the classic framework, so that such sessions may provide an occasion for more thorough discussion of important or urgent questions, in accordance with the role of the Chamber of Deputies, which will thereby gain in efficiency through discussion of important or urgent issues, and through purely legislative work. Invitation of the audiovisual media and the press to inform public opinion regarding the content of this dialogue and the work of the Chamber of Deputies in general, so that the public may follow major national issues and matters arising in political life. Revision of the law concerning passports, on a basis of freedom of circulation within and outside the country. Henceforth, the judge is the only reference with respect to prohibition of travel outside the country and withdrawal of the travel document. Providing connection to the Internet for all universities and scientific research institutions; connection of secondary schools will then follow in stages up until the end of the current plan, and primary schools may be connected during a subsequent stage. Elimination of the Secretariat of State for Information, as a measure aimed at enabling the information sector to carry out its mission properly. A plan of coherent mechanisms and dimensions has been drawn up to see that this sector occupies its proper place in the dynamic of global change. President Ben Ali also recalled the various legal guarantees provided to protect journalists against any interference in their activities. In this connection, President Ben Ali called for those responsible for press enterprises to seek quality, to raise the media discourse to an outstanding level, and to approach issues honestly, audaciously and responsibly, saying that professionals in this field "no longer have any excuse for evading their responsibilities or resorting to the easy way out through self-censorship." Nov. 10, 1997 President Ben Ali announces, in a speech before a women's meeting, that a bill has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies concerning the system of community property between spouses, to strengthen family relations and confirm partnership within the couple. Dec.3, 1997 The Council of Ministers studies the bill pertaining to an organic law amending and completing the Electoral Code, following the last constitutional amendment (constitutional law published on October 27, 1997), the purpose of which is to the confirm the measures announced by President Ben Ali in his speech on November 7, 1997 aimed at strengthening pluralism within elected institutions. Dec. 4, 1997 President Ben Ali receives the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Ancona, in recognition of "his excellent management of economic affairs and the strengthening of human and social rights in Tunisia, making the country a model of economic and social development and a fine example of democracy," as recorded in the minutes of that university's Scientific Council. Dec. 9, 1997 President Ben Ali chairs the opening ceremony of the celebration of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and awards the presidential prize for human rights for 1997 to the "Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity."