President Ben Ali announces new reforms in November 7th Anniversary
Tunis 7 November 2000 (TunisiaOnline)
In a speech to the nation,
on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of his accession to the presidency, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali announced
a number of major decisions aimed at promoting democracy and the rule of law.
Measures announced include the decision to transfer authority over incarceration and correction institutions to
the Ministry of introduction of liberal amendments into the Press Code.
Promoting the rule of law
President Ben Ali said that the State will, in the future, "pay adequate compensation to any individual subjected
to preventive detention and not proven guilty". The State will also pay "damages to people serving a
prison sentence if a court finds them to be innocent when their case is
reviewed," he added.
The Tunisian President announced the decision "to transfer penitentiary institutions and their management
to the Ministry of Justice". Such institutions were until now under the authority of the Ministry o the Interior.
A new bill will also be introduced in Parliament regarding treatment of prison inmates and their rights. Legal
defense of needy groups will be upgraded and expanded.
The new measures, he said, "should allow for the safeguarding of human dignity in Tunisia under all conditions
and circumstances."
Boosting public freedoms
He also announced a number of decisions aimed at promoting democratic pluralism.They include increasing by 50%
the allowance granted by the State to political parties and their publications and measures aimed at enhancing
local democracy.
President Ben Ali also said a new bill be presented to the Chamber of Deputies in the near future "amending
the press code so as to do away with provisions of prison sentences". It will also abolish the penal charge
of "defaming public order" considering the "vagueness of this notion".
Building a new society
Other measures will include lowering internet service subscription for reporters, in particular, and for the public
at large. Based on previous decisions by President Ben Ali, all institutions of learning and research and all medical
centers, across the country have been connected to the worldwide web. E-commerce is a growing activity based on
the use of the recently-launched e-Dinar, the virtual version of Tunisia's national currency.
Middle Income families will also be able to apply for micro credit banks loans to purchase low-cost computers.
About 80% of Tunisians are considered middle-class.
President Ben Ali's speech also included several important economic and social measures, including:
- The privatization of more than 40 public sector enterprises.
- The development of a national program for the creation of strategic reserves in a number of basic agricultural products.
- The implementation of a ten-year strategy aimed at creating a new technology park each year.
- The creation of a national observatory of children's rights.
- The building of a City of Culture, to host cultural and artistic activities.
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