Although article 31 on freedom expression, article 32 on access to information, and article 127 on the Broadcasting Communication Agency are not entirely satisfactory, they represent a significant advance.
“We hail the realization of one of the leading goals of the 2011 popular uprising,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “The completion of the constitutional process that began after the October 2011 elections marks a turning point for Tunisia.
“Ben Ali's departure opened the way for media pluralism but the repressive laws inherited from the old regime were maintained. Freedom of information is now enshrined in the constitution. This is crucial for democracy in Tunisia but it is not enough.”
Reporters Without Borders legal committee coordinator Prisca Orsonneau added: “If article 31 of the constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression is to be fully respected, as Tunisia's international obligations require, legislators, judicial officials, security forces and other leading actors must act in concert with the constant aim of respecting and ensuring respect for the principle of freedom of information.”
The utmost vigilance is needed to ensure implementation of the constitution's principles. In early December, Reporters Without Borders pointed out the inadequacies of the draft being discussed.
Thereafter, few amendments were adopted to improve or clarify the wording of the articles on freedom of information, except article 125, which was amended to restrict the powers of the broadcast media regulator. Amendments reintroducing a ban on blasphemy (article 6) and the addition of the concept of “public morals” (article 49) are also worrying as both could restrict freedom of expression.
After following the voting article by article, Reporters Without Borders stresses the following points:
- Article 6, on religion, guarantees freedom of conscience.
Reporters Without Borders regards the ban on blasphemy (attacks on the sacred) as a restriction of freedom of expression that is unacceptable under international standards now in force and regrets this amendment's adoption, as it opens the way to legislation criminalizing the expression of opinions in speech or writing that could be construed as attacks on religious beliefs.
The fact that the criminalization of blasphemy had been dropped from previous drafts was hailed as a major advance. The crime of apostasy, which was also included at an emotional moment, has no place in a constitution.
- Article 20 gives international treaties “sub-constitutional” and “supra-legislative” status.
- Article 31 on freedom of expression says: “The freedoms of opinion, thought expression, information and publication are guaranteed. These freedoms may not be subjected to prior control.”
This article does not say, for example, that freedom of expression is guaranteed for everyone, regardless of status, age or nationality, regardless of borders, and for every form and medium of expression. It does not mention Internet communications and does not guarantee media independence or the confidentiality of journalists' sources.
- Article 32 on access to information is not subject to any specific restrictions other than those envisaged in article 49. Its adoption is extremely positive. Reporters Without Borders urges to Tunisia to create a special body to handle access to information issues, in order to realize what this article promises.
- Article 49 says: “The law determines the modalities regarding the rights and freedoms guaranteed in this constitution and the conditions for exercising them, without endangering their essence. These methods of control are established only as a result of the needs of a democratic civilian state, or to protect the rights of others, or for reasons of public security, national defence, public health or public morals, and with respect for proportionality and the need for these controls. The courts ensure that rights and freedoms are protected against any violation. An amendment may not affect the human rights and freedoms guaranteed in this constitution.”
It is also worrying that “public morals” are included in the interests that need protecting and could therefore restrict freedoms. Although their protection is given as possible grounds for restrictions in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the lack of any reference to the covenant is disturbing. The inclusion of “public morals” is particularly dangerous in the current context, as it opens the way to restriction of freedom of expression in the name of a concept that is vague and easily exploited.
- Article 127 on the Broadcasting Communication Agency was amended as Reporters Without Borders had hoped. It says that the agency’s members must be “independent, impartial, qualified and upright.” The agency’s responsibilities are limited to the broadcast media, not all the media, as originally envisaged.
Despite its flaws, the new constitution establishes promising foundations and commits future generations to safeguarding freedoms. Protecting human rights and guaranteeing freedom of expression need to be priorities for Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa's government and the one that follows after the next elections.