Tunisia- Political parties react to Niqab’s ban

Many political factions embraced Prime Minister Youssef Chahed resolution to ban the Niqab in local government offices. Notwithstanding some created reservations, some requested for the implemented ban to properly include public spaces and inflict possible penalties on those who knowingly violate the ban. Moreover, they properly called to promptly issue a law approved and adopted by the assembly of the Representatives of the People.

In an official statement to “Tunis Afrique Presse,” Latifa Habachi affirmed the order didn’t specify the niqab but rather anyone that conceal their face. Habachi properly reported that the country is passing through a delicate period and such precautions must be taken to combat terrorism.
Manji al-Harbawi from Nidaa Tounes hailed the decision, affirming that it prevails as a qualitative measure that resolves a controversial matter correlated to foreign clothing. An association with religion and Tunisian culture, as he places it. He asked that the order should be reviewed, so it will include festivals, commercial and cultural spaces due to the fact that it didn’t deter the threat from these spaces.

Sahbi Ben Fred from the national collation welcomed the decision and called the General legislative commission to reconsider a draft law submitted by him and a number of deputies 3 years ago on the interdiction of covering the face in public space.

In a prepared statement to “Tunis Afrique Presse,” Machrouu Tounes ‘s Secretary- General Mohsen Marzouk promptly declared his party’s backing for the decision in lights of the recent crises that the country is going through.

On his part, Tayyar Chaabi’s Secretary- General Zohir Hamdi declared the country’s current climate needed such preventions despite some who view it as a direct limit of freedom Moreover, he points out that the order regulates public enterprise rather than public space. He proceeded to mention that such regulations fall under the prime minister’s direct jurisdiction.

Ghazi Chaouachi from the democratic current stated that the local government should have published an order properly regulating the allowed entry of public institutions and departments, including demands to unveil the face and check people identity instead of issuing an order that violates the constitutional right. Furthermore, he declared that such an order can be overthrown by the Administrative Tribunal Like the publication of clause 108 that was issued during the old regime.