Parliamentary questions
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99
by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission
(15 September 1999)

Subject: Control of Internet use in Tunisia

Tunisia ranks amongst the countries in which Internet access is subject to the strictest control and censorship, the aim being to avoid the propagation of "subversive ideas" and to protect "state security". Such control takes the form of a state monopoly on access, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of users, and the screening and monitoring of electronic mail. As a result, Tunisian citizens seeking to exercise freedom of information and expression find themselves faced with extremely severe legal action.

Does the Commission not consider that such practices by the authorities in Tunis run counter to the spirit and the letter of the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the European Union?

What measures have been or will be taken by the Commission to induce Tunisia to abolish the state monopoly on Internet access and to eliminate firewall screening, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of users and the monitoring of electronic mail?

E-1620/99
Answer given by Mr Patten
on behalf of the Commission
(18 October 1999)

The Commission is aware of the extent to which the Tunisian authorities control use of the Internet.

All applications to subscribe to the Internet pass through the Tunisian Internet agency (ATI) which also acts as a server for the Government and some diplomatic missions. There are two private companies (Planet Tunisie and Global Tunisie) authorised as servers for private subscribers. Other institutional servers exist in several areas of the public sector (education, research institutes, etc.). The number of Internet connections in Tunisia remains low (less than the world average) in spite of the authorities' efforts to promote its use in education and business. Nevertheless, Tunisia has recognised the importance of the Internet to its business sector and for the competitiveness of its economy. User charges have recently fallen considerably.

The Association Agreement between the Community and Tunisia does not contain any specific provision on free access to the media; however, Article 2 states in general that human rights, which include the right to inform and be informed, are an essential part of the Agreement. The Commission follows the Tunisian human rights issue closely, including the citizen's right of access to the media and the Internet, notably through the regular reports on the human rights situation drawn up by the Member State and Commission heads of mission in Tunisia and through the ongoing political dialogue with the Tunisian authorities.

Tunisia is also invited to participate in regional programmes in the MEDA framework in order to promote a new regional approach to telecommunications and the information society.