HAARO adopts draft Press, Printing and Publishing Code

The Council of the High Authority for Achievement of the Revolution Objectives, Political Reform and Democratic Transition (HAARO) adopted, on Thursday in Bardo, the draft Press, Printing and Publishing Code with one abstention. Chairman of HAARO's Information and Culture Committee Ridha Jenayah said that the Association of Newspaper Directors expressed reservations on the content of Articles 44 and 69 of the draft code, relating to the right of associations entitled to defend human rights to file lawsuits against periodical newspapers, in case of harm against one person or a group of persons in these publications. He said that after consultation with all sides, it was agreed on to limit these associations to those dedicated to human rights. After the adoption of the draft laws submitted to HAARO, Chairman of the Authority Yadh Ben Achour announced the end of debates within the Authority's Council, saying that the latter will hold its last session on Wednesday, October 12, in preparation for the festivities to be organised on October 13, on the occasion of the official end of its mission. In his assessment of the Authority's work, Mr. Ben Achour said this transition authority has fulfilled its mission and contributed to set up the legal framework allowing to organise free and transparent elections. At the closing of the session, the Council members expressed satisfaction at the efforts made by the Authority to ensure a legal framework organising elections. They reminded that the Authority has drawn attention of the Interim Government on several issues requiring urgent treatment, particularly the one related to the difficult situation of inhabitants of the south after the arrival of Libyan refugees and the social situation of unemployment people which requires swift intervention.