Tunisia Steps Up Fight Against Financial Crime as Judges and Prosecutors Receive Training
Strengthening Financial Crime Prosecution and Sentencing
In an effort to enhance its capabilities in combating financial crime, Tunisia’s judiciary has been undergoing training on the role, jurisdiction, and legal framework of the country’s Financial Judicial Pole (FJP). The FJP is a specialized investigative, prosecutorial, and adjudicative arm established in December 2016 to tackle corruption, money laundering, and other complex financial crimes.
Regional Workshops Bring Together Judiciary Officials
Between March 30 and May 4, 2018, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and Tunisia’s Financial Judicial Pole organized three regional workshops that brought together 101 court presidents, chief prosecutors, and senior investigative judges from all of Tunisia’s first instance and appellate courts. The FJP representatives shared information on jurisdictional criteria, legal framework governing judicial management of complex financial crimes, and operational challenges.
Interactive Debates Foster Collaboration and Input
The highly interactive debates allowed FJP representatives to clarify the parameters of application of the law, as well as collect input on legislative reforms and practice guidelines that would contribute to the functionalization of the FJP and the effectiveness of the fight against corruption. A final workshop is scheduled for June 29 in Tunis to consolidate recommendations prior to referral to the Government of Tunisia for action.
Supporting the Fight Against Corruption
The NCSC is present in Tunisia as an implementing partner of the U.S. Department of State’s programs funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The workshops were organized through the MEPI-funded Empowering the Judicial Financial Pole Program, aimed at strengthening the capacity of Tunisia’s judiciary to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes effectively.
Key Takeaways
- 101 court presidents, chief prosecutors, and senior investigative judges from all of Tunisia’s first instance and appellate courts participated in the workshops
- FJP representatives shared information on jurisdictional criteria, legal framework governing judicial management of complex financial crimes, and operational challenges
- Interactive debates fostered collaboration and input on legislative reforms and practice guidelines
- A final workshop is scheduled for June 29 in Tunis to consolidate recommendations prior to referral to the Government of Tunisia for action