Ministerial Council Votes to Enhance Compensation to Revolutionary Martyrs and Wounded

Families of the martyrs and wounded of the revolution in protest in front of the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice

During a meeting held yesterday, the cabinet of the ministerial council amended Decree No. 97, which deals with compensation to the victims of Tunisia’s revolution.

The council will enlarge the Commission on the Martyrs and Wounded of the Revolution – a body charged with composing a list of those liable to receive compensation.

The amendments will also provide a number of new benefits for the families of those killed during the uprisings that precipitated the collapse of the former regime. Amendments were not made, however, to improve the benefits of those wounded during the revolution.

Regarding the expanded membership of the Commission on the Martyrs and Wounded of the Revolution, Spokesman of the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice Shakib Darwich explained, ”The new membership will include two representatives of active Human Rights associations – which will be chosen by the president of the commission – a representative of the Constituent Assembly, a representative of the presidency, and a representative of the government.”

He added that, “representatives from all related ministries, including the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, will be included – as well as a representative from the National Commission on Fact-Finding.”

Darwich also emphasized the importance of the new services provided to the families of those killed.

“The parents of the martyrs will be granted access to free medical treatment and free transportation…Martyrs’ children, which were not considered in the decree before, will also be given a monthly pension for life,” Chakib stated.

The added provisions to Decree No. 97 reflect mounting criticism stemming from the perceived inadequacy of the government’s response to addressing the plight of victims of the revolution and their families.

The father of Amine Mbarki, a 17 year-old who was killed in Kasserine, stated, “We have not received anything yet. Our demands include free transportation, free treatment, employment, pensions, and obviously punishment for those who killed our son.”

He added, “Since the revolution we have been promised many things. But they are only words – nothing is real.”

The final draft of the decree was  ratified yesterday by the ministerial council. It will be presented for ratification in the coming days at the Constituent Assembly.