Counterterrorism Efforts in Tunisia: A Human Rights Watch Report

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Issues with Counterterrorism Measures

Tunisia’s counterterrorism efforts have been marred by several issues, including:

Arbitrary and Discriminatory Use of Fichiers S

• The police and National Guard have used administrative control measures to surveil and restrict Tunisians based on their:
  • Religious beliefs
  • Dress codes
  • Family ties
• These restrictions often lack justification and are difficult to challenge in court.

Lack of Judicial Oversight

• Individuals subjected to these restrictions face insurmountable odds to challenge them, as the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) does not provide justification for such decisions.
• This perpetuates a clear imbalance between an all-powerful security apparatus and a relatively powerless judiciary.

Perpetuation of Impunity

• The MOI often disregards administrative court decisions, leading to:
  • Lack of accountability
  • Inadequate protection of human rights

Recommendations

To address these issues, we recommend:

Strengthen Judicial Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms

• Amend the State of Emergency law and the Antiterrorism law to ensure protection of basic human rights in the context of counterterrorism measures.
• Ensure that individuals subjected to administrative control measures have access to fair and effective remedies.

Improve Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programming

• Hundreds of inmates arrested on terrorism-related charges are slated to leave prison in the next 3 years, and many have faced conditions that could be conducive to recidivism.
• Implement effective rehabilitation and reintegration programs to prevent recidivism and promote successful reintegration into society.

Additional Context

To prevent another resurgence in radicalization and recruitment by violent extremist groups, Tunisian authorities need to:

Rebuild Trust in Security Institutions

• Strengthen judicial oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that security institutions are transparent and accountable.
• Implement measures to promote public trust and confidence in the justice system.

Coordinate with Other Ministries

• Extend interagency cooperation to ministries responsible for youth empowerment, culture, and social affairs to strike a balance between counterterrorism prevention and suppression.
• Address the root causes of radicalization and promote sustainable development.