New Tunisian focus on human rights reporting

Tunisia today launched its permanent National Committee for the Coordination of Human Rights. The committee will coordinate the country’s efforts in drafting and follow up of human rights reports. This mainly involves ministries, but the committee can decide to include other human rights actors such as the national human rights institution and civil society. The process of reporting is an excellent opportunity for the Tunisian government to engage society in a human rights dialogue. This can ensure a focus on human rights, help monitor developments, and inspire human rights policy.

“The establishment of a permanent national committee for the coordination of human rights is an important step for Tunisia. It underlines the resolve of the Tunisian people to push forward the aims of the 2011 uprising. It reconfirms the role of Tunisia as a democratic light in a region where security often tops the agenda. It is a light that can inspire other countries and can show a way towards reform,” Mrs. Eva Grambye, Head of the Danish Institute for Human Rights’ International Division, said at the official launch in Tunis.

Support from Denmark

As the national human rights institution of Denmark, the Danish Institute for Human Rights looks forward to assisting this committee as an important human rights actor in Tunisia.

Based on the Constitution of Tunisia, the institute focuses on supporting state institutions – independent and governmental – that work to enhance the human rights situation.

“With more than 25 years of experience, the Danish Institute for Human Rights believes that reporting and follow-up can be much more than respecting international obligations. Indeed, reporting processes can become vehicles for the protection of human rights in national contexts,” Eva Grambye said.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has been working in Tunisia since 2011, and its work is supported by the Danish Arab Partnership Programme.