As part of Tunisia’s efforts to combat corruption, the parliament approved a law in July requiring a group of Tunisians to disclose their holdings and business interests. The law, which forces officials to declare their assets, entered into force on Oct. 16.

The Tunisian Anti-Corruption Commission was established by the Tunisian government in November 2011 to fight corruption in the name of “supporting transparency and consolidating the principles of integrity, neutrality, accountability, combating illicit enrichment and protecting public funds.”

Chapter V identifies those compelled to declare their property and profits as the head of state, ministers and senior government officials, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the Constitutional Court, judges, mayors, secretaries of trade unions, parties and associations as well as owners of media institutions.

Chawki Tabib, head of the Tunisian Anti-Corruption Commission, told Al-Monitor he hopes the law will promote a culture of transparency and limit corruption, saying, “As of Oct. 23, we have received 57 declarations of profits, a very small number compared to the number of people required to make declarations under the new law, which is about 350,000 officials.”