The ICJ today called on the Tunisian authorities to build on the advances made in the January 2014 Constitution by introducing legal and policy reforms to ensure the Tunisian judiciary is fully independent and accountable and is able to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

These reforms should be a priority of the new Parliament and should be carried out in consultation with the judiciary and civil society. The Constitution provides that a new Parliament is to be elected before the end of 2014.

The statement comes as the ICJ concluded a high-level mission to Tunisia to launch its report: “The independence and accountability of the Tunisian judicial system: learning from the past to build a better future.”

In this report, the ICJ examines the past and present Constitution, laws, institutions and practices governing the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia and analyses them in light of international and regional standards.

Despite the foundation laid down by the 2014 Constitution for significant reforms, much more needs to be done.

The ICJ considered that the new High Judicial Council provided for by the 2014 Constitution should be Continue reading Tunisia: Reforms should be adopted to strengthen the independence and accountability of the judiciary | CIJL-ICJ →

Today, the ICJ sent a letter to the Tunisian Minister of Interior and the Minister of Justice requesting them to take immediate action in order to ensure the security and physical integrity of Justice Kalthoum Kennou.

Justice Kalthoum Kennou is a Tunisian judge on the Court of Cassation, President of the Tunisian Association of Magistrates, and ICJ Commissioner.

This call comes as Justice Kennou received a letter containing serious death threats, demanding her withdrawal from the judiciary. Justice Kennou is active in the establishment of an independent judiciary and the protection of human rights.

The ICJ strongly condemns these threats and all acts of intimidation against the judiciary and human rights defenders in Tunisia, and calls on the Tunisian authorities to initiate the necessary investigations and inquiries in order to find, prosecute, and punish the individuals behind these brutal threats. Continue reading ICJ condemns death threats against Tunisian judge | CIJL-ICJ →

In a new report, the ICJ calls on the authorities, especially the National Constituent Assembly, to elaborate and adopt a constitution that takes account of the full range of views of the Tunisian people and adheres to international law and standards.

Released today, the report, Enhancing the Rule of Law and guaranteeing human rights in the Constitution, comes as the ICJ concludes a high-level mission to Tunisia. It analyzes the constitutional reform process in Tunisia and sets out recommendations for legal and institutional reforms aimed to ensure a Constitution that reflects international law and standards.

Through its report, the ICJ calls for the Constitution to be amended to: fully guarantee the separation of powers; ensure the accountability of the security services and armed forces and their subordination to a civilian authority; bring the judicial system in line with international standards of independence, impartiality and accountability; end the use of military courts to try civilians and cases involving human rights violations; incorporate a comprehensive Bill of Rights; recognize the right to life as an absolute right, and abolish the death penalty; and provide effective mechanisms for the protection of human rights and ensuring the right to a remedy.

“The constitution-making process has been Continue reading Tunisia: the draft Constitution should be amended to meet international standards | CIJL-ICJ →