Document #1298390
USDOS – US Department of State (Author)
The Government of Tunisia placed a high priority on combating extremism and terrorism. In addition to using security and law enforcement measures, the Tunisian government also used social and economic programs, including health care and public education, to ameliorate the conditions that terrorists exploit for recruitment and propaganda purposes. The government prohibits the formation of religious-based political parties and groups it believes could pose a terrorist threat. Tunisia does not have a rehabilitation or reintegration program. The Tunisian government puts a high priority on controlling the border regions.
On July 30, the Chamber of Advisors amended the 2003 anti-terrorism law to harmonize national legislation with UN resolutions related to terrorism financing and money laundering. The amendments included measures to establish databases on terrorist financial transactions; protect the identities of magistrates, judicial police officers and civil servants involved in terrorism and money laundering cases; freeze funds belonging to people accused of terrorist activities; and extend from two to five days the period allowed for a public prosecutor to issue his judgment on investigations carried out by the Financial Analysis Commission. The new legislation made a clear distinction between terrorism and resistance, with specific reference to the Palestinians.
The Government of Tunisia enforced the 2003 anti-terrorism law. However, the government’s application of the law was criticized by Tunisian and international organizations who maintained that too many individuals undergo extended pre-trial detention and face unfair trials that rely on weak evidence. In response to a claim by Tunisian lawyers that 2000 people had been sentenced under the anti-terrorism law, the Minister of Justice stated on May 27 that 300 persons were being detained on terrorism charges.
On July 2, a private Tunisian lawyer announced in the press that the government was charging two military officers along with seven civilians for plotting to attack U.S. military personnel in country. On July 14, Tunisian media reported that prosecutors dropped the charges against the two officers, citing lack of evidence.
Among the cases in which sentences were publicly announced: