through the constitutional proclamation of the State’s commitment to respect and ensure respect for legality. 8. Tunisia consistently supports associative activities by guaranteeing, in particular, the provision of the best of conditions for the activities of Tunisian, foreign, regional and international NGOs based on its territory. All the legal Organizations established in Tunisia carry out their activities without let or hindrance. This direct presence of civil society allows the initiation of a certain type of management of public affairs which maintains a stable democratic society in which militancy cannot contravene the rules of the democratic game as defined by the law in force. 9. The progress registered in this respect during the period 1995-2005, is testimony of the important developments observed in the conditions of pluralist democratic practice within the framework of the rule of law and of the concretization of a generalized pace of development conducive to the guarantee of decent living conditions for the citizenry. 10. Tunisia, while rejecting the pre-established models in the area of politics, pursues its own efforts in guaranteeing to its citizens the full exercise of the rights provided for by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Towards this end, a series of laws were enacted and a set of mechanisms, instruments and practical measures were put in place from 1995 aimed notably at consolidating the rule of law and the political institutions, at the strengthening of intellectual and political pluralism, the protection and promotion of human rights and the consolidation of economic, social and cultural rights. I- Consolidation of the Rule of Law and the Political Institutions 11. The Constitutional reforms (including notably those of 1997, 1998 and 2002) have all contributed to the acceleration of the democratic process. The objective is to consolidate the Rule of Law, to enhance the exercise of democracy, to reinforce pluralism in the various fields of political participation, to strengthen human rights and to broaden the area of individual and collective liberties. It is in this manner that the Constitutional law n° 2002-51 of 1st June 2002 amending certain provisions of the Constitution consolidated the bases of the rule of law and of the institutions, enriched the normative arsenal through the values of solidarity, mutual assistance and tolerance, through the institution of legal control guaranteeing the respect for fundamental liberties and through the introduction of guarantees for the protection of personal data. In effect, this Constitutional amendment which affected almost half of the Articles of the Constitution, introduced new provisions, including notably: a) The solemn affirmation, in the body of the Constitution, that the Tunisian Republic has the principles of the Rule of Law and of Pluralism, as basis; b) The reference, in the body of the Constitution, to the modalities of the election of President of the Republic through the organization of a second round and through the determination of an age limit at the time of presentation of candidatures; c) The creation of a Chamber of Councillors to strengthen the legislative powers through bicameralism intended to enhance pluralist participation and representation; 6