[MAGHAREBIA] A last-minute amendment to Tunisia's 2014 Finance Act provided for the creation of a fund to compensate victims of repression, particularly Islamists.Al-Karama Fund was passed by the National Constituent Assembly at one o'clock in the morning on December 31st by a vote of 99-10. Fourteen deputies abstained while 84 were absent.
Finance Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, who was present in the hall of the Constituent Assembly, said, "The ratification of this law is not correct in form as there is no law providing for the establishment of special funds."
He described the passage of the measure as "a game by the deputies ".
Jalel Bouzid, a deputy from Ettakatol, said, "We were surprised with a set of articles that have nothing to do with the philosophy of the Finance Law."
"The addition of some proposals that have nothing to do with the general philosophy of the Finance Law is a dumping operation," he said.
"Members of Ennahda want to include this proposal without taking into account the situation that the country is passing through," the Ettakatol deputy added.
A statement issued by Ennahda the same day denounced politicians and the press for "misleading" the public about the "fund to compensate victims of tyranny".
"The first decree after the revolution was the general legislative amnesty decree to repair the grievances of the oppressed thousands of families from all political walks, which to this day was not fully implemented," Ennahda said.
The Islamist party also said that the fund would not draw on the 2014 budget. Instead, it would be supported by associations or private individuals.
"The law of transitional justice, which was recently approved, recommended creating al-Karama Fund," Ennahda stressed.
But according to Popular Progressive Party chief Hichem Hosni, "The creation of the fund cannot take place since the body that launches it does not exist yet."
"Ennahda wants to secure some services to its members out of the mentality of the trophy. The budget is hurting the purchasing power of citizens while deputies of Ennahda are talking about compensation," Hosni added.
"The Finance law turned into a law to compensate Islamists," he said.
Tunisians on the street had plenty to say on the creation of the special fund.
"I think the timing was not right because the country is experiencing a difficult economic situation," said Maysem Hadded, 23.
Mounir Bou Laaba, a 33-year-old, said, "The passing of this law at a late hour and in the absence of opposition MPs whom I greatly blame is like a theft in the darkness."
"The resources of the state cannot accommodate such a large compensation. Those representatives should create a fund to help unemployed young people instead of taking payments for their struggle," he added.