Tunisia – New in law relating to suspended sentences and exemption from military service

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence, security, and Armed Forces held a session yesterday to discuss Bill No. 50/2023, amending law no. 83 of 1988, which sets the National Center for Cartography and Remote Sensing. Further, the committee examined Bill No. 40/2023, which establishes exceptional provisions for exemption from national service. During the session, representatives of the executive function of the Ministry of National Defense provided insights into these bills.

According to a report from the House of People’s Representatives, the emphasis was on Bill No. 40/2023, which addresses the exceptional exemption from national service. The discussion highlighted the necessity to accelerate the comprehensive revision of Law No. 1 of January 14, 2004, related to national service. It was remarked that the Ministry is currently working on an integrated project for the revision of this law.

The proposed project, submitted to the committee, includes a single chapter stating that citizens born before January 1, 2000, who have not regularized their situation concerning national service, will be exempted from national service. This exemption is considered an exceptional measure to address the defence and solidarity requirements at a global level.

In reply, representatives of the Ministry of Senior Military and Civilian Executives confirmed that regulating the legal status of young people falling behind in their national service obligations, as per the provisions of this special text, seeks to overcome legal problems hindering the exercise of their rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. This includes issues related to freedom of movement, the right to work, and more.