Title One. General Principles
Article 1
Tunisia is a free, independent, sovereign state; its religion is Islam, its language Arabic, and its system is republican.
This article might not be amended.
Article 2
Tunisia is a civil state based on citizenship, the will of the people, and the supremacy of law.
This article might not be amended.
Article 3
The people are sovereign and the source of authority, which is exercised through the peoples’ representatives and by referendum.
Article 4
The flag of the Tunisian Republic is red and bears in its midst a white circle in which is inscribed a five-pointed star surrounded by a red crescent, as provided for by law.
The national anthem of the Tunisian Republic is “Humat Al-Hima” (Defenders of the Homeland), in accordance with the law.
The motto of the Tunisian Republic of is: freedom, dignity, justice, and order.
Article 5
The Republic of Tunisia is part of the Arab Maghreb and works towards achieving its unity and takes all measures to ensure its realization.
Article 6
The state is the guardian of religion. It guarantees freedom of conscience and belief, the free exercise of religious practices and the neutrality of mosques and places of worship from all partisan instrumentalisation.
The state undertakes to disseminate the values of moderation and tolerance and the protection of the sacred, and the prohibition of all violations thereof. It undertakes equally to prohibit and fight against calls for Takfir and the incitement of violence and hatred.
Article 7
The family is the nucleus of society and the state shall protect it.
Article 8
Youth are an active force in building the nation.
The state seeks to provide the necessary conditions for developing the capacities of youth and realizing their potential, supports them to assume responsibility, and strives to extend and generalize their participation in social, economic, cultural and political development.
Article 9
Protecting the unity and integrity of the homeland is a sacred duty for all citizens. National service is a duty according to the regulations and conditions established by the law.
Article 10
Paying taxes and contributing towards public expenditure are obligations, through a fair and equitable system. The state shall put in place the necessary mechanisms for the collection of taxes, and to combat tax evasion and fraud.
The state shall ensure the proper use of public funds and take the necessary measures to spend it according to the priorities of the national economy, and prevents corruption and all that can threaten national resources and sovereignty.
Article 11
All those who assume the roles of President of the Republic, Head of Government, member of the Council of Ministers, or member of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, or member of any of the independent constitutional bodies or any senior public position, must declare their assets according to the provisions of the law.
Article 12
The state shall seek to achieve social justice, sustainable development and balance between regions based on development indicators and the principle of positive discrimination.
The state shall seek to exploit natural resources in the most efficient way.
Article 13
Natural resources belong to the people of Tunisia. The state exercises sovereignty over them in the name of the people. Investment contracts related to these resources shall be presented to the competent committee in the Assembly of the Representatives of the People. The agreements concluded shall be submitted to the Assembly for approval.
Article 14
The state commits to strengthen decentralization and to apply it throughout the country, within the framework of the unity of the state.
Article 15
Public administration is at the service of the citizens and the common good. It is organized and operates in accordance with the principles of impartiality, equality and the continuity of public services, and in conformity with the rules of transparency, integrity, efficiency and accountability.
Article 16
The state guarantees the impartiality of educational institutions from all partisan instrumentalization.
Article 17
Only the state may establish armed forces and internal security forces, in conformity with the law and in the service of the public interest.
Article 18
The national army is a republican army. It is an armed military force based on discipline that is composed and structurally organized in accordance with the law and charged with responsibility to defend the nation, its independence and its territorial integrity. It is required to remain completely impartial. The national army supports the civil authorities in accordance with the provisions set out in law.
Article 19
The national security forces are republican; they are responsible for maintaining security and public order, ensuring the protection of individuals, institutions, and property, and ensuring the enforcement of the law while ensuring that freedoms are respected, with complete impartiality.
Article 20
International agreements approved and ratified by the Assembly of the Representatives of the People have a status superior to that of laws and inferior to that of the Constitution.
