5/10/2017 Dispatches: Tunisia Blogger Jailing Shows Flaws In Legal System | Human Rights Watch Tunisia needs to enforce in practice the human rights protections contained in the new constitution, and remove repressive laws from the statute books. Overhauling the laws that criminalize free speech would be a good place to start. Defamation should not be treated as a criminal offense but be made an issue for civil litigation, imposing financial damages. However, the courts should recognize that public figures, including military commanders, are legitimately subject to criticism. Bloggers such as Yassine Ayari should be able to criticize anyone without exposing themselves to the risk of imprisonment, let alone by a military court.     Region / Country Middle East/North Africa, Tunisia Topic Press Freedom, Free Speech MORE READING May 9, 2017 | Dispatches Indonesia Sends Jakarta Governor to Prison for Blasphemy Phelim Kine Deputy Director, Asia Division May 8, 2017 | Dispatches Indonesia Still Restricting Foreign Media From Papua Phelim Kine Deputy Director, Asia Division https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/03/03/dispatches-tunisia-blogger-jailing-shows-flaws-legal-system 3/4