Independent watchdog on human rights is emerging in Tunisia

Since the 2011 revolution Tunisia has achieved significant progress in the field of human rights protection. On 18 October 2018, seven years after the revolution that toppled former president Zeine al-Abidine Ben Ali and unleashed the Arab Spring, the Tunisian parliament adopted a constitutional law for the creation of an independent human rights instance.

Investigating human rights violations

The law paves the way for the creation of a human rights instance in accordance with the Paris Principles meaning, among other things, a broad mandate to protect and promote human rights, a representative board and an independent budget. The law envisages that future legislations relating to human rights be submitted to the new human rights instance for advice and comments. As a new responsibility, the human rights instance is able to take the initiative to investigate potential human rights violations.

Ensuring pluralistic representation

Led by the Ministry of Human Rights in Tunisia, the Institute has strongly contributed in facilitating the entire process, from the drafting of the law proposal, to the broad public consultations with civil society organisations, to the discussion, amendments and adoption by the Parliament. The Institute co-organised and conducted consultations with all relevant stakeholders, such as civil society and state representatives from the different regions of Tunisia. This contributed to ensuring that the law drafting process was inclusive towards youth, women and citizens in marginalised areas.