On September 3, 2004, President Ben Ali submitted his candidacy to the presidential election of October 24, 2004. In his speech at the opening of the electoral campaign, he proposed to the people an ambitious 21-point program entitled «Ben Ali for Tomorrow’s Tunisia». Covering all fields and all sectors, this program aimed at further enriching Tunisia’s gains and achievements in the era of the Change.
 Proceeding from his democratic convictions and liberal outlook, President Ben Ali placed human rights among the constant tenets of his policy, in accordance with a comprehensive vision that establishes a close correlation between economic, social and cultural rights, on the one hand, and civil and political rights, on the other hand.
Just two weeks after the Change, a bill laying down, for the first time, the rules for pre-trial custody and preventive detention was adopted. The State Security Court and the office of State Prosecutor were abolished, and so was the hard labor penalty. Moreover, Tunisia ratified, without reservation, the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Punishment or Treatment.
A new law was enacted in 1999 with the aim of reducing the period of pre-trial custody. Moreover, the rule of dual jurisdiction in criminal cases was established, and the position of «penalty enforcement judge» was created. Authority over detention facilities and their administration were also transferred to the Ministry of Justice.
A law was enacted on March 4, 2008, establishing the obligation to justify any extension of the period of custody and preventive detention; its aim being to provide individuals with further judicial guarantees during the pre-trial stage.
To consolidate the mechanisms of human rights and fundamental freedoms, a law was enacted on June 16, 2008, concerning the High Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (created on January 7, 1991). The law establishes the autonomy of this Committee, expands its prerogatives, modernizes its working methods, and empowers it to take charge of any issue related to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Keen on anchoring the value of work in society, President Ben Ali has endeavored to clear the social climate by rehabilitating the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), establishing regular dialogue between management and labor, and making of hard work and diligence cardinal values in public life.
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