The Rule of Law Quick Scan Tunisia: Prospects and Challenges

This document is part of HiiL’s Rule of Law Quick Scan Series. Each Quick Scan provides a brief overview of the status of rule of law in a country. The following research examines the legal system of Tunisia.

The political system in Tunisia was characterized from 1956 until 14 January 2011, by the absence of a real separation of authorities, and the dominance of the executive authority, especially that of the President over all the authorities that were continuously overseen by him and were allocated for the service of his absolute power, as the Parliament was a mere chamber for the registration of the President’s desires and projects. The President used the judiciary as a tool for unfair trials and to repress individuals and organizations that showed some independence. The judges suffered from all types of abuse and the judicial organizations were obliged to be subject to executive authority.

The Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law (HiiL) 2012

HiiL is an independent research and advisory institute devoted to promoting a deeper understanding and more transparent and effective implementation of justice and the rule of law, worldwide.