In November 1987 President Habib Bourguiba was replaced by President Zein el-Abidine Ben-Ali. Since his coming to power, more than 10,000 criminal and political prisoners have benefitted from amnesties by being released from prison or having their civil rights restored. However Amnesty International remains seriously concerned at a number of violations of human rights, including the use of torture and the imprisonment of prisoners of conscience and possible prisoners of conscience, which are still taking place.
