Bardo — The organic bill defining the foundations and scopes of transitional justice was submitted Tuesday to Speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) Mustapha Ben Jaafar by Minister of Human Rights and Transitional Justice Samir Dilou and the technical committee responsible for national dialogue on transitional justice.

The draft law was developed by a committee bringing together main civil society associations and organisations as well as centres, networks and co-ordinations according to a participatory and consensus approach, the Minister said in a statement to the press.

He expressed hope to see the bill discussed in committees and approved by the NCA under best conditions "to impact positively on the economic, social, political and security situation."

President of the Tunis Centre for Transitional Justice Sihem Ben Sedrine commended "this draft law which paves the way for the process of transitional justice in Tunisia through the creation of a high independent authority that ensures trial of convicts and prepares for reconciliation."

Members of the technical committee tasked with developing the draft law stressed the need to reach consensus in selecting members of the high independent authority and implementing transitional justice mechanisms.

The bill provides for the creation of an independent authority of "truth and dignity" enjoying administrative and financial independence. It will be responsible for examining violations committed from January 1, 1955 until the date of its establishment.