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The Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia
CHAPTER ONE
Article 1
Tunisia is a free, independent and sovereign state. Its religion is Islam, its language is Arabic and its type of government is the Republic.
Article 2
The Republic of Tunisia is a part of the Great Arab Maghreb, an entity which it endeavors to unify within the framework of mutual interests.
Treaties signed to this end which might cause any modification in this Constitution shall be submitted to referendum by the President of the Republic following their adoption by the Chamber of Deputies in the forms and according to the terms specified by the Constitution.
Article 3
Sovereignty belongs to the Tunisian people, who exercise it in accordance with the Constitution.
Article 4
The flag of the Republic of Tunisia is red, and, according to the terms defined by law, bears in its midst a white circle in which is inscribed a five-pointed red star surrounded by a red crescent.
The motto of the republic is: Freedom, Order, Justice.
Article 5
The Republic of Tunisia shall guarantee fundamental freedoms and human rights in their universality, comprehensiveness, complementarity and interdependence.
The Republic of Tunisia shall be founded upon the principles of the rule of law and pluralism and shall strive to promote human dignity and to develop the human personality.
The state and society shall strive to entrench the values of solidarity, mutual assistance and tolerance among individuals, social categories and generations.
The Republic of Tunisia shall guarantee the inviolability of the human person and freedom of conscience, and defends the free practice of religious beliefs provided this does not disturb public order.
Article 6
All citizens have the same rights and obligations. All are equal before the law.
Article 7
Citizens exercise all their rights in the forms and according to the terms provided for by law. The exercise of these rights can be limited only by laws enacted to protect the rights of others, the respect of public order, national defense, the development of the economy and social progress.
Article 8
Freedom of opinion, expression, the press, publication, assembly and association are guaranteed and exercised according to the terms defined by the law. The right to organize in trade unions is guaranteed.
Political parties contribute to supervising citizens, in order to organize their participation in political life, and they should be established on democratic foundations. Political parties must respect the sovereignty of the people, the values of the republic, human rights, and the principles pertaining to personal status.
Political parties pledge to prohibit all forms of violence, fanaticism, racism and discrimination.
No political party may take religion, language, race, sex or region as the foundation for its principles, objectives, activity or programs.
It is prohibited for any party to be dependent upon foreign parties or interests.
The law sets the rules governing the establishment and organization of parties.
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