Little information on Tunisian military service could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints for this Response.

A number of sources claim that, since 2003, Tunisian women have been subject to the same military obligations as men (AFP 25 Dec. 2002; Afrik.com 28 Dec. 2002; BBC 5 Jan. 2003; Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 1 Mar. 2003). Military service is mandatory for all Tunisians over the age of 20 (ibid; AFP 25 Dec. 2002; Afrik.com 28 Dec. 2002; BBC 5 Jan. 2003). Young people may choose between full national service for one year or an [translation] "individual assignment, which has recently been reduced from 25 to 15 days" (AFP 25 Dec. 2002; see also Afrik.com 28 Dec. 2002; BBC 5 Jan. 2003), provided that they deposit a portion of their earnings for the 11 remaining months into a Tunisian national service fund (ibid.; AFP 25 Dec. 2002; Afrik.com 28 Dec. 2002).

No information on conditions for exemption or on penalties for refusal of military service could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Afrik.com. 28 December 2002. Anna Borrel. "Des Tunisiennes sous les drapeaux." http://www.afrik.com/article5458.html [Accessed 2 May 2005]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 25 December 2002. "Service militaire pour les femmes en Tunisie à partir de 2003." (Dialog)

BBC International Reports. 5 January 2003. "Tunisia: Women to be Drafted Into Military Service." (Dialog)

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs [Washington, DC]. 1 March 2003. Vol. 22, No. 2. "Tunisian Women Begin Military Service." (Dialog)

The Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Ottawa and the Consulate of Tunisia in Montreal could not respond to a request for information within the time constraints.

Internet sites, including: Ambassade de la République tunisienne à Paris, Amnesty International (AI), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Maghreb des droits de l'homme, Ministère de la Défense nationale tunisienne, Perspectives tunisiennes, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United States Department of State, World News Connection (WNC).