Introduction

Abstract

Introduction, The political regimes in the Maghreb are currently faced with a weakening in their power base and a decline in their historical legitimacy that served as their foundation since winning independence. These governments, being invested since 1960 in the triple objective of the construction of a State, the development of the economy and the modernization of the society, have silenced all forms of opposition in order that the administration could complete these tasks necessary to the establishment of the nation. Five decades after the end of the colonial era, the results in terms of economic and social development appear slim and the executive branch continues to operate without an institutional counter-balance. The executive power pays no heed to the parliament – which has been reduced to a mere sounding board put into place by fraudulent elections – nor to the justice system, whose autonomy is merely a façade. The government has been reduced to an administration that is dwarfed by the enormity of the task it is confronted with, and a police force charged with the suppression of all opposition. The repression of political dissent, from the violent dispersion of demonstrators to arbitrary detentions followed by torture and sometimes disappearances, takes place most often outside the legal system and is marked by repeated human rights violations.