Tunisia

Tunisia gained independence from France on 20 March 1956, and the Constitution of Tunisia was adopted and promulgated on 1 June 1959. Since then, the Constitution has been amended on 12 July 1988, 29 June 1999, 1 June 2002, 13 May 2003, and 28 July 2008. The Constitution declares Tunisia to be a sovereign Republic. It not only sets forth the manner of government (a three branch presidential parliamentary system), but also guarantees certain rights to the people.
- While no specific provision in the Constitution addresses intellectual property, Article 14 protects private property: “The right of ownership is guaranteed. It is exercised within the limits provided for by the law.”
- See also Article 9, concerning undisclosed information: “The inviolability of the home, the confidentiality of correspondence and the protection of personal data shall be guaranteed, save in exceptional cases prescribed by law.”
- According to Articles 34-35, law is necessary to set the basic principles for property and other specified subjects whereas other unspecified subjects come under the general regulatory power and can be modified by decree.