Tunisia-Venice Commission :Constitutional guarantees must not be used as a shield for criminals

“Since the declaration of the state of emergency on 25 July 2021, the President of Tunisia has concentrated in his hands the legislative, executive and, partially, judicial powers. Tunisia does not have a constitutional court. Tunisia is facing a very deep crisis, caused on the one hand by the difficulties of managing the pandemic and on the other hand by the difficulties of functioning of the state institutions and by the very high level of corruption. A large part of the Tunisian people has expressed its refusal to accept that this situation be prolonged and has asked that a solution be found quickly. I strongly support these legitimate and fundamental aspirations of the Tunisian people”,Mr Buquicchio said in a statement.

“Since the Revolution in 2011, the Venice Commission accompanied Tunisia in the search for a new beginning, starting from the preparation of a democratic constitution. The new constitution was drafted from scratch by the democratically elected National Constituent Assembly and was adopted almost unanimously by its members. It is unacceptable that these efforts and this exemplary and non-violent transition to democracy be marred by the cancer of corruption and the inability of some public officials to transcend their partisan affiliations and vested interests for the sake of the public interest. Constitutional guarantees must not be used as a shield for criminals”,he added.