President of the Bar association, Hatem El Meziou, expressed the association’s rejection of the 2023 Finance Law.

The law is the «result of external dictates and does not take into account the specificities of the liberal professions in Tunisia and will also affect the proper functioning of justice,» he pointed out.

Speaking at a press conference held Wednesday in Tunis, the President of the Bar strongly criticised the law, saying it does not provide for economic and fiscal reforms and its content “is deleterious and will further deepen the economic and social crisis and directly affect citizens.”

He added that the profession of lawyer will not idly stand by in front of such a text whose content is in line with the policies of the previous governments subjected to the subjection and dictates of the International Monetary Fund.

The President of the Bar took the opportunity to denounce the arbitrary tax levies instituted by the new finance law of 2023 aimed at liberal professions, warning against its negative impact on the citizen and his purchasing power.

The profession of lawyer proposes to be an active economic player and acting within the economic circuit of the country, he said, criticising the decree-law 54 which represents a direct threat to the device of rights and freedoms.

He also indicated that the increase of the tax will deprive vulnerable groups of the right of access to justice, adding that the government, through this law, aims to tarnish the image of the liberal professions by accusing them of tax evasion.

The Bar Association said it will stage a day of anger at the Courthouse in Tunis, in its headquarters and regional sections on Thursday.

It will pledge to continue protest, if the government fails to react.

Source: Tap News Agency