Financial Crime Prevention and Deterrence in Tunisia: A Mixed Bag of Compliance with International Standards

Tunisia’s efforts to prevent financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing, have been deemed partially compliant with international standards by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The country has made significant progress in implementing certain technical requirements, but still lags behind in others.

Assessing Risk and Applying a Risk-Based Approach

Tunisia was found to be partially compliant with this recommendation. While the country has established a risk assessment framework, it needs to improve its implementation and oversight. Key areas for improvement include:

Enhancing the effectiveness of the risk assessment process
Improving communication and collaboration between agencies

National Cooperation and Coordination

The country’s efforts in national cooperation and coordination were also deemed partially compliant. Tunisia has established a number of entities and mechanisms for information sharing and coordination, but their effectiveness could be improved through:

Better communication and collaboration between agencies
Improved information sharing and exchange

Money Laundering Offence

Tunisia was found to be compliant with this recommendation. The country’s penal code already includes provisions related to money laundering, and it has also established a number of laws and regulations aimed at preventing the offence.

Confiscation and Provisional Measures

In this area, Tunisia was deemed largely compliant. The country has established a range of measures to confiscate proceeds from crime and freeze assets, but there are still some gaps in its legislation and implementation.

Terrorist Financing Offence

Tunisia was found to be compliant with this recommendation. The country’s penal code includes provisions related to terrorist financing, and it has also established a number of laws and regulations aimed at preventing the offence.

The country’s efforts in this area were deemed partially compliant. Tunisia has established a range of targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and terrorist financing, but there are still some gaps in its implementation and oversight.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the need for Tunisia to continue strengthening its legal framework and implementing effective measures to prevent financial crime. The country must also improve its cooperation with international partners and agencies to ensure that it is fully compliant with international standards.