“Constitutional Rights in Tunisia” is a project initiative implemented by the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), in partnership with the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). The project is funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor through December 2023.

BACKGROUND

Following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, which launched the Arab Spring, Tunisia made significant progress moving towards democratic governance and the rule of law. When the country's constitution came into force, it enshrined an advanced set of rights, and clear provisions for judicial independence and the separation of powers. However, Tunisians still struggle to assert their constitutional rights in the absence of institutional checks and free, independent legal institutions. Many laws that undermine constitutional commitments remain on the books with moves to reconcile or repeal them being slow or non-existent.

The project initiative is focused on two strategic objectives:

1. enabling Tunisian judges and lawyers to better identify, present and monitor constitutional cases to protect the rights and freedoms enshrined in the 2014 Constitution (Objective 1); and
2. enabling Tunisian CSOs and lawyers to jointly prepare and present strategic litigation cases for the review or repeal of laws that violate constitutional rights and freedoms, especially those of marginalized groups (Objective 2).