Khemaïs ben Mohamed ben Slimane Ksila[1] (Arabic: خميس بن محمد قسيلة; born 1 May 1956) is a Tunisian politician.

Khemaïs Ksila
Ksila in 2013
Member of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People for Nabeul 2
In office
2 December 2014 – 13 November 2019
Member of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia from the Ben Arous Governorate
In office
22 November 2011 – 26 October 2014
Personal details
Born (1956-05-01) 1 May 1956 (age 68)
Kelibia, Tunisia
Political partyTunisian Alternative (2018–present)
Other political
affiliations
SpouseFatima Ksila
Children3

Career

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Arrest

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On 29 September 1997, Ksila published a statement condemning the harassment and discrimination he and his family had faced, including the confiscation of his passport, and the broader deterioration of human rights in Tunisia. He also announced the beginning of a hunger strike. He was detained on the same day as the publication of the statement.[2] On 11 February 1998, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison and made to pay 1200 Tunisian dinars for "outrage to public order, spreading false information and inciting citizens to break the law".[3] This received international condemnation, from Human Rights Watch[4] and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.[2] Ksila was later conditionally released on 22 September 1999.[4]

Constituent Assembly (2011–2014)

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In 2011, Ksila was elected to the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia as a member of the Ben Arous district.[5] In February 2012, he left the Ettakatol party, citing their alliance with Ennahda and a lack of internal dialogue.[6] He joined Nidaa Tounes in September 2012, becoming a member of its executive committee.[7]

Assembly of the Representatives of the People (2014–2019)

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In 2014, Ksila was elected to the Assembly of the Representatives of the People.[8] He joined Tounes Alawan on 24 July 2017[9] and joined Tunisian Alternative when the two parties merged in September 2018.[10] He announced on 21 June 2019 that he would not be running for re-election to the Assembly.[11]

Personal life

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Ksila was born in Kelibia on 1 May 1956.[1]

Ksila is married to Fatima Ksila[4] and has 3 children.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rapport à l'occasion du procès en appel de M. Khemaïs Ksila" [Report on the occasion of the appeal trial by Mr. Khemaïs Ksila] (PDF). EuroMed Rights (in French). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF: TORTURE AND DETENTION" (PDF). United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. 17 December 1997. pp. 37–39. E/CN.4/2000/4/Add.1. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Tunisia: Further information on prisoner of conscience / health concern and new concern: Legal concern: Khemais Ksila, human rights defender" (PDF). Amnesty International. 12 February 1998. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Laes, Willy; Leicht, Lotte; Menard, Robert; Guillet, Sara (4 November 1999). "E.U. Urged To Demand Progress On Tunisian Human Rights". Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  5. ^ "أعضاء المجلس" [Assembly Members] (in Arabic). National Consituent Assembly. Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Fin de partie" [End of party]. La Presse de Tunisie (in French). 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Nidaa Tounes annonce la composition de ses comités exécutif et élargi" [Nidaa Tounes announces the composition of its executive and expanded committees]. Leaders.com.tn. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Khemais Ksila". Marsad Majles (in French). Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Le mouvement Tounes Awalan lancé officiellement (Vidéos)" [The Tounes Alawan movement officially launches (Videos)]. Mosaïque FM (in French). 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Tunisie : Fusion entre les partis Al-Badil Ettounsi et Tounes Awalan" [Tunisia: Fusion between the Al-Badil Ettounsi and Tounes Alawan parties]. Kapitalis (in French). 12 September 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Khemaïs Ksila adresse deux messages et quitte la radio" [Khemaïs Ksila sends two messages and leaves the radio]. Mosaïque FM (in French). 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.