The Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

Created by virtue of the Decree of January 7, 1991 (amended by the Decree of December 10, 1992), the Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms helps the President of the Republic in consolidating and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, by:

• giving its opinion on the questions submitted to it by the President of the Republic , concerning human rights and basic liberties;

• submitting proposals to the President of the Republic in order to consolidate and promote these rights and liberties at the national and international levels;

• conducting studies and research, and accomplishing relevant missions entrusted to it by the President of the Republic.

Under the instructions of the President of the Republic, the president of the Committee pays visits to prisons and centers of custody in order to check the respect of laws and regulations organizing custody, confinement and the observation of juveniles. Following each visit, the Committee’s president submits a report to the President of the Republic.

On July 24, 1996, the Committee’s President was entrusted by the President of the Republic to pay impromptu visits to prisons, without prior authorization.

The Committee prepares annually its report which it submits to the President of the Republic.

The Committee publishes, on a regular basis, national reports on human rights in Tunisia.