Pubdate: Thu, 08 May 2014
Source: Kuwait Times (Kuwait)
Copyright: 2014 Kuwait Times Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.kuwaittimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4528
Page: 8

CANNABIS 'DESTROYS' TUNISIA YOUNG LIVES

TUNIS: Tunisia's tough law on cannabis use, laying down jail terms of 
at least one year, is "destroying lives" and overcrowding prisons, 
according to a group of activists urging reform. Since the law was 
passed more than 20 years ago, "tens of thousands of Tunisians have 
been convicted," the group said in an open letter to the government. 
"But the number of people sentenced and the number of users continue 
to grow, proving that this law is not a deterrent. It has failed," 
said the group, named Al-Sajin 52 (or Prisoner 52) as the law is called.

Smoking "zatla", or cannabis resin, is punishable by between one and 
five years in jail, with the same law prohibiting judges from passing 
lighter sentences for extenuating circumstances. As a result, more 
than half of the 13,000 people in pre-trial detention, and around one 
third of Tunisia's 11,000 convicts were arrested for drugs abuse, and 
cannabis in particular, according to UN figures. One young Tunisian 
who spent more than seven months in jail is haunted by the experience 
three years on.

"You smoke a joint and you find yourself in the same cell as a guy 
who murdered and another who raped," said the ex-convict, requesting 
anonymity. "I smoke cannabis regularly, but I'm a good guy and I come 
from a family with no criminal history. Prison was my phobia, and 
since I did time I always think about it," he told AFP.

The activists insist their group is not calling for the drug to be 
legalized because, according to Amal Amraoui, one of its founders, 
"the aim should be something achievable, and attitudes are not ready 
for that." "But we want the prison sentence to be abolished, whether 
it be reduced to a fine, or the jail term replaced by a suspended 
sentence, by community service," said the 25-year-old, who lamented 
the studies and careers "broken" by prison.

"People are beginning to realize. Before they thought those who were 
arrested were scum. Now they're increasingly aware that it can happen 
to anyone, whatever their level of education or social background." 
While attitudes may be evolving, efforts to reform the law are eyed 
with suspicion in Tunisia, where cannabis users are still considered 
criminals by the majority of the population.

Outspoken politician and businessman Hechmi Hamdi, whose party came 
second in 2011 legislative elections, has called on the government to 
declare a "state of emergency" in the fight against cannabis. "The 
growing use of zatla in educational establishments threatens the 
future of a large part of the youth, who are the hope of tomorrow," he said.

Reforms to 'humanize'

Health ministry director general Nabil Ben Salah said the health and 
justice ministries are trying to "humanize" the legislation, although 
decriminalizing the drug is not an option. "People tend to trivialize 
the effects of cannabis whereas it's very harmful, especially for 
adolescent brains, it can destroy a huge number of brain cells." A 
reform under consideration would authorize judges to take mitigating 
circumstances into account before passing judgment, said Ben Salah.

But Ghazi Mrabet, Al-Sajin 52's lawyer, said the whole system was 
resistant to change because of a lucrative business connected to 
cannabisrelated arrests. "People come to see me whose child has been 
arrested for (cannabis) use who are ready to do anything to prevent 
them going to jail," including paying bribes to police and 
magistrates, the lawyer explained to AFP.

"When I refuse, they turn to other lawyers, who, according to what 
clients tell me, who make sure the urine test is negative or the name 
disappears from police reports," he said. At the other end of the 
spectrum, "some judges end up with tears in their eyes as they 
deliver the verdict" because they have to hand down jail terms, he 
said, calling for a national debate.

- -AFP
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom