ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS There are today more than 8,000 associations in Tunisia. About two thirds of these associations were created after 1987. The various categories of associations are: Cultural and artistic associations Athletic associations Humanitarian and social associations Women's associations Friendship associations Development associations Scientific associations Associations of general character Major national associations and labor organizations include: The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) The Tunisian Union for Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) The National Union of Tunisian Women (UNFT) The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP) The General Union of Tunisian Students (UGET) Human Rights Associations: The Tunisian League for Human Rights The Tunisian Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Public Liberties The Tunisian Chapter of Amnesty International A higher Committee on Human Rights and fundamental Freedoms was also created on 7 January 1991, with the task of assisting the President of the Republic in strengthening and promoting human rights and basic freedoms. This committee, composed of renowned experts, monitors human rights issues in all fields and prepares an annual report which it submits to the President of the Republic. Other mechanisms include "the human rights units" within the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Human Rights, and the Interior and Local Development. These "units" were established in 1992 as additional mechanisms for human rights protection and promotion. Furthermore, President Ben Ali decided in 1993 to establish a "Presidential award for Human Rights" that it is awarded to personalities, organizations, institutions and bodies for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights and dissemination of human rights culture at national, regional and international levels.