Tunisia pardons thousands with corrupt past
Parliament adopts law by 117 votes to nine after unusually angry debate and opposition walkout
Parliament adopts a hotly disputed law giving amnesty to people linked to graft under its former authoritarian regime |
Tunisia’s parliament adopted a hotly disputed law giving amnesty to thousands of people linked to corruption under its former authoritarian regime.
Hundreds of demonstrators protested outside the legislature saying they fear a return to Tunisia’s pre-Arab Spring past. After an unusually angry debate and opposition walkout, it passed by 117 votes to nine in a Wednesday night vote.
The full amnesty only concerns those who followed orders from corrupt leaders, but did not make personal gains. Those who made money of corrupt dealings can pay back embezzled sums, along with a penalty, in exchange for freedom from prosecution.
President Beji Qaid Al Sebsi — a 90-year-old moderate who served under the former regime — argued the “economic reconciliation” law will improve the investment climate and help the country move forward after a several rocky years following the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. Many of those accused of corruption under former President Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali’s leadership were important economic players.
Opposition lawmaker Faisal Tebbini accused the president of pushing the law as a favour to those who helped bring him to power in 2014 elections.
The head of the governing Nidaa Tunis parliamentary group, Soufiane Toubal, argued for passage of the law, pleading for “a tolerant Tunisia that unites all its children and bans hate and rancour”.