The national seminar on "Implementation and application of the new counter-terrorism legislation in Tunisia: ensuring effectiveness while respecting the rule of law and human rights" took place in Tunis from 19 to 21 January 2016. This seminar formed part of technical assistance provided by the UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch (UNODC/TPB) within the framework of the European Union-funded Action launched in 2014. The project aims at strengthening the capacity of countries in the Maghreb region in investigating and prosecuting counter-terrorism cases while respecting human rights and the rule of law.
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Mahmoud Kaabech, Inspector General of Judiciary Services at the Ministry of Justice of Tunisia, and H.E. Mr. Ghazi Jomaa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tunisia to Austria. Due to its timely and relevant nature, the event attracted a large participation of almost 70 officials from all sectors of Tunisian institutions and bodies involved in counter-terrorism, including for the first time representatives of Tunisian civil society to ensure a multi-sectorial approach. Representatives of local delegations and international organizations also took an active part in this event.
The objective of this workshop, implemented in the framework of Pillar III (Prosecution) of the recently finalized draft Tunisian national strategy for the fight against extremism and terrorism, was to present the newly adopted counter-terrorism legislation and discuss it in the light of the rule of law and human rights standards. To this end, challenges and best practices were presented and discussed among participants and international experts from France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, the United States of America and the European Court of Human Rights. The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate was also represented by its Human Right Officer.
Interactive discussions and presentations illustrated by concrete cases allowed participants and experts to cover comprehensively various issues related to the application of the new legislation. Notably, international judicial cooperation issues, such as human rights safeguards, including prohibition of torture, the right to a fair trial and the death penalty, were brought to the table. Tunisian criminal justice and law enforcement officials were able to engage in dialogue with civil society organizations. Animated discussions also took place on the role of the new national counter-terrorism commission. The seminar concluded with a discussion on the way forward on this priority issue for Tunisia.
To respond to the needs and priorities identified as a result of the event, a number of specialized workshops will be held in Tunis in the coming months, including on human rights and criminal justice responses to terrorism, on strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in terrorism cases, including in connection with organized crime, and on the use and exchange of operational and judicial intelligence in terrorism cases.
