Concerns over Tunisia draft constitution

A coalition of freedom of expression defenders voices concern over Tunisia draft constitution

With the adoption of Tunisia’s constitution moving ahead, the Civil Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression voices its concern over articles restricting freedom of expression and free media.

In an open letter sent to members of National Constituent Assembly in early June, the Civil Coalition “regrets that both the preamble and the text of the draft Constitution do not explicitly stipulate a commitment to protect freedom of expression”.

Members of the Constituent Assembly, a body in charge of devising Tunisia’s new constitution are expected to start reviewing the final draft constitution in June.

The assembly presented a third draft of the proposed constitution on April 25, 2013, after debating and revising two previous drafts presented in 2012.

Concerns over powers of future government

The letter also calls for the repeal of article 124 that foresees the creation of a regulatory body overseeing the overall information sector.

“Trying to set up a regulatory body of dubious independence and neutrality (…) will pave the way for a regulatory body that will stifle freedom of the press (…) and resume domination over all parts of the information sector,” the letter warns.

The draft constitution has also attracted criticism from Human Rights Watch, which calls upon the Constitutional Assembly to “close loopholes” in the draft constitution that would allow a future government to “crush dissent” or limit the basic rights of Tunisians.

Need to “act in solidarity”

Over 70 national, regional and international media stakeholders and freedom of expression groups met in April at an IMS-supported meeting to discuss setting up a media advocacy partnership to counter possible threats to freedom of expression.

“What we’ve witnessed in Tunisia over the past two years are attempts to control freedom of speech and to abort media reforms,” freedom of expression advocate Kamel Labidi said at the meeting.

Responding to attempts from authorities to control freedom of expression and to stall media reforms and professionalisation, the meeting stressed the need for solidarity, saying “unless we act in solidarity, we will not win the battle for freedom of expression.”

Restoring confidence

Establishing a dialogue on freedom of expression with citizens and civil society organisations throughout the country in order to restore confidence in media was also highlighted in the meeting.

“Dictatorships operate by dividing people. It takes time to heal and enlarge pockets of support,” Labidi stressed.

In this context, Naziha Rejiba, a journalist also known as Om Zied, referred to media professionalisation and “efforts to prevent journalists to fall back into obedience” as critical. “We need to deploy more efforts to make freedom of expression an issue for all Tunisian citizens,” she said.

After the ousting of President Ben Ali in January 2011, Tunisia’s media and civil society were faced with a range of new freedoms and opportunities, but the past year has seen intensified violence and a resurgence of censorship.

A general election is scheduled in the country for late 2013.

The current members of the Civil Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression are: theTunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT),  « Yakadha » Association for Democracy and a Civil State (Vigilance),General Culture and Information Union affiliated to the General Tunisian Labour Union (UGTT),Tunisian Union of Independent and Party Press (STPIP), the Tunisian Union of Free Radios (STRL) and the Tunis Centre for Press Freedom.