International Religious Freedom Report, 2013: Tunisia

摘要

The law largely provides for religious freedom. In practice, the government enforced some restrictions on this freedom, including imprisoning citizens for disseminating material deemed offensive to religious sensibilities. Following the January 2011 revolution, the 1959 constitution was suspended, but provisions related to fundamental rights remain in force. These provisions provide for freedom of conscience and free practice of religion when it does not disturb public order. These provisions also stipulate that the official religion is Islam and the state seeks to remain faithful to the teachings of Islam. Meanwhile, the National Constituent Assembly, elected in October 2011, continued to draft a new constitution. The government sought to reassert control over mosques and prevent imams from teaching divisive theology. Some religious minorities complained that the government took inadequate steps to protect their communities from harassment, vandalism, and intimidation, but the government continued to promote interfaith tolerance and ease restrictions on religious association. There were reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Salafists (fundamentalist Sunni Muslims) attacked targets they deemed un-Islamic, setting ablaze mausoleums around the country. Salafist groups also issued death threats against individuals they accused of blasphemy and attacked artists for participating in events they deemed critical of Islam. Salafists also issued anti-Semitic messages, as did some imams during prayer sermons.