Tunisian Parliament's Human Rights Commission Holds Crucial Meeting to Advance Key Legislation and Plan Action Calendar
May 20, 2026
The Human Rights Commission within the Assembly of Representatives of the People (ARP) held a crucial meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to advance several flagship legislation projects and plan its action calendar. The meeting was attended by the commission's president, Thabet El Abed, the vice-president, Aymen Ben Salah, the rapporteur, Hala Jaballah, and deputy Mohamed Chaabani, alongside several non-commission parliamentarians.
Internal Reorganization and Respect for Competences
At the heart of the debates was the opportunity to reassign the organic law project related to the audiovisual communication instance (HAICA) to the Human Rights Commission. For the deputies, the strict respect of the rules of competence within the legislative institution remains a fundamental guarantee of the proper functioning of parliamentary work.
Focusing on Liberties: Associations, Personal Data, and Nationality
The commission then focused on the organic law project regulating the right of association. The members emphasized the imperative of expanding the cycle of hearings, while maintaining the scheduled meetings with government and non-governmental actors.
Regarding the law project on personal data protection, the list of stakeholders to be consulted was reviewed. The deputies called for the integration of numerous experts in the field as well as specialized associations to capitalize on their expertise.
Furthermore, the revision of certain provisions of the Nationality Code was followed up. After a reminder of the recent hearing of the initiators of this bill, the commission validated the continuation of consultations on this subject.
Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight
Asserting their willingness to emphasize their control prerogative, the deputies established a calendar of thematic hearings. This program will target critical sectors within their competences, including the state of the audiovisual landscape, the functioning of the judicial apparatus, the Tunisian justice system, as well as the preservation of the rights of future generations.
In closing the session, the members reaffirmed the need to maintain a sustained pace for the examination of these legislative texts, while devoting strategic attention to the commission's control mission.
