A new bill banning attacks against the armed forces has aroused condemnation from political parties and civil society groups after being approved by the Council of Ministers on April 8, and awaits final confirmation in May.
With no current legislation in place providing any kind of protection towards the military, the aim of the bill is to “protect the armed forces against attacks that threaten their security and lives, in order to guarantee the stability of the whole society.”
The protection also extends to the families of those in the armed forces and proposes that the state should provide protection for their homes as well as as transportation to and from work. Any attempt against members of the armed forces, their families or their properties could face up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of 100 thousands dinars for serious physical attacks, or detention for life in a case of murder.
Furthermore, entering a facility belonging to security forces without permission could be punished with a year in prison and a fine of five thousand dinars, while destroying any building, vehicle or equipment could be imprisoned for life.
Attacks against state’s secrets, including theft or release of classified information, data and documents related to national security is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of 50 thousand dinars.
The new bill also states that members of the armed forces will not be subject to any punishment in the event of causing injury or death of an individual while carrying out their duties if their reaction is judged necessary and proportional to the danger they faced.
The National Union for Journalists, the Union of Tunisian Workers, Tunisian League for Human Rights and the Popular Front have all expressed their disagreement with the proposed legislation. In their opinion, this initiative has no grounds for being passed, and is directed against the freedom of the media, the main achievement of the revolution.
The National Union for Journalists denounced the punishment of up to 10 years of imprisonment for “weak” accusations, such as revealing secrets pertaining to national security.
First to take a vocal stand against the bill, the union for journalists considers the law is against the freedom of speech, and demands the bill’s immediate withdrawal. The union further found the law contradictory to the spirit of the Tunisian constitution – based on freedom of expression – and compared it to the legislation established by the previous government before the revolution under Ben Ali.
Abdessattar Ben Moussa, president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights stated that the armed forces should benefit from financial and social protection, not a legislative one.
Leader of the Popular Front, Hamma Hammami, said that this law protecting the armed forces “is a return to the police state” that seeks to limit liberties. He further added that several parliamentary groups are hostile to this initiative.
The proposed legislation will be discussed and voted on in the Assembly of the People’s Representatives on May 5.
Source: http://www.tunisia-live.net/2015/04/22/new-law-to-ban-attacks-on-armed-f...
