Most of the accused individuals won't have a lawyer to stand up and argue on their behalf. Tunisia went through a popular revolution in 2011, launching the Arab Spring, with dramatic changes to their political, social, and legal structures. Yet in Tunisia, as in many post-conflict nations, full rule of law remains aspirational at best. Most of ILF clients in Tunisia, for example, have been in custody for days or even weeks before they are appointed a lawyer. Bab el Bhar of TunisAdvocates across the world have long argued the import of early access to counsel, and laws such as those in Tunisia demonstrate that the push is finally bearing fruit.

Source: Huffington Post September 13, 2016 20:37 UTC