South Programme

Component 4: Promotion of democratic values

The Venice Commission

As members of the Venice Commission, Morocco and Tunisia benefit from direct access to constitutional, electoral and legislative expertise. They participate in events allowing for the exchange of experience organised in the countries themselves and in other member states of the Commission.

For example, Tunisia formally requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft Constitution. The Venice Commission also supported Morocco in the preparation of several draft organic laws.

The Constitutional Council of Algeria is an active member of the Bureau of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice and contributes to the Venice Commission’s publications. 

Regarding Egypt, the Venice Commission has participated in a Conference on the process of drafting of the Constitution organised in Cairo. The Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt participates in the Bureau of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice of the Venice Commission. 

Jordan and Lebanon are members of the Union of Arab Constitutional Courts and Councils, with which the Venice Commission has a co-operation agreement. In this framework, the Constitutional Council of Lebanon participates in the World Conference on Constitutional Justice of the Venice Commission. In addition, the Constitutional Council of Lebanon has appointed a liaison officer and has started to contribute to the Venice Commission’s CODICES database.

Finally, in May 2008, the Committee of Ministers agreed to authorise co-operation between the Venice Commission and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). This enables the PNA to request opinions from the Venice Commission.

For more information.