Tunisia has been hailed as the only democratic success of the Arab Spring because it toppled a long-serving autocrat, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011 Tunisians voted on Sunday in their first free municipal elections, another step in a democratic transition that has become marred by disappointment over a lack of jobs and economic opportunities. Ennahda and Nidaa Tounis parties, which form a coalition at national level, are expected to dominate the polls for 350 municipalities. Tunisia has been hailed as the only democratic success of the Arab Spring because it toppled a long-serving autocrat, Zine El Abidine Ben … Continue reading Tunisians vote in first free municipal elections

Tunisians protesting and holding banners in support of missing journalists The leader of the Tunisian Journalists’ Syndicate has accused political groups of having a “tendency” to deny press freedom. Naji Baghouri made his comments during a seminar on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day last Wednesday. “The reality shows that the authorities have backed away from the philosophy upon which the Constitution was based and which aims at the distribution of power between executive institutions and independent constitutional bodies, similar to the High Independent Authority of the Audiovisual Commission (HAICA),” explained Baghouri. “There is a clear will to re-establish … Continue reading ‘Political tendency is to deny press freedom,’ say Tunisian journalists

Journalists stage demonstration in Tunis to protest alleged restrictions on their activities by interior ministry Tunisian journalists on Friday staged a demonstration in Tunis to protest alleged government restrictions on their activities. Held outside the headquarters of the Tunisian Journalists Syndicate, protesters decried restrictions on their journalistic activities imposed by Tunisia’s Interior Ministry. Organized by syndicate members, Friday’s protest was endorsed by the Tunisian Human Rights League, an NGO; the Tunisian General Labor Union, the country’s largest labor union; and a number of prominent political and judicial figures. “The current government, especially Interior Minister Lotfi Brahem, remain silent while journalists … Continue reading Tunisia journalists protest ‘erosion of press freedoms’

Tunisian Interior Minister Mohamed Najem Gharsalli speaks with journalists during a press conference on March 26, 2015 in Tunis Tunisian former Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli was sentenced to prison on Friday, following investigations on conspiracy against the state’s internal security. The investigative judge heard Gharsalli on Thursday for long hours on the background of his communication with foreign parties. Tunisian authorities informed, last Monday, Gharsalli that he must return to Tunisia in 48 hours. On Aug. 23, the investigation judge suggested hearing the testimony of Gharsalli regarding the case of conspiracy against the state’s internal security and high treason against … Continue reading Tunisia: Former Interior Minister in Prison for Conspiracy against State’s Security

An AFP file photo shows a policeman in Bardo square in Tunis A suspected militant was arrested on Wednesday after wounding two policemen in a knife attack near the parliament building in the Tunisian Capital, the interior ministry said. The assailant was known to authorities and said after the attack that he considered the police to be “tyrants”, according to the statement. One of the policemen was taken to hospital for treatment after being injured in the neck, while the other was only lightly wounded, it said. Large numbers of police were deployed to Tunis’ Bardo square in the aftermath … Continue reading Extremist Arrested after Knife Attack Near Tunisia’s Parliament

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi Four independent Tunisian bodies have rejected remarks by President Béji Caid Essebsi in which he said they “operate without censorship”. The High Independent Authority for Audiovisual Communication, the Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Committee for the Prevention of Torture released a joint statement in which they described Essebsi’s remarks as “a dangerous indicator that threatens democracy in Tunisia”. The statement stressed that the organisations work in accordance with the laws in place and called on the Parliament, political parties, civil society and trade unions to … Continue reading Tunisia groups: Essebsi’s remarks are ‘retreat from democracy’

Women look at sale signs at a shop in central Mehdia,Tunisia, Aug 17, 2017 Tunisia- The Tunisian government lifted on Thursday the ban on Muslim women marrying non-Muslim foreigners, a step that triggered a legal and social controversy among conservative Islamic blocs and liberal and left-wing blocs. “Congratulations to the women of Tunisia for the enshrinement of the right to the freedom to choose one’s spouse,” presidency spokeswoman Saida Garrach posted on Thursday. The announcement came a month after President Beji Caid Essebsi called for the government to lift the ban dating back to 1973, preventing Muslim Tunisian women from … Continue reading Tunisia Lifts Ban on Muslim Women Marrying non-Muslims

Tunisia’s Prime Minister-designate Youssef Chahed speaks during a news conference after his meeting with Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi (not pictured) in Tunisia, Tunis August 3, 2016 Tunisia- Stances expressed by Ennahdha Party and Al Nidaa Party have revealed a huge difference in points of view towards the ministerial amendment that was announced by Prime Minister of Tunisia Yousef El-Shahed, before he delayed its implementation later on. The ministerial amendment has been proposed since April when Shahed dismissed ministers of education, finance and investment. Reliable sources stated that Shahed hasn’t yet finalized the ideal figures to replace the three sacked … Continue reading Tunisia: Dispute Between Parties Delays Ministerial Amendment

Image of security forces during a protest in Tunis, Tunisia on 21 March 2017 Two policemen were wounded and 47 people arrested during clashes yesterday between street vendors and police authorities in the centre of Tunis, according to the Interior Ministry. The incident occurred during a rally of around 300 people outside the headquarters of the Tunisian General Union of Labour (UGTT), the protest was being held against the local authorities’ decision to prohibit street stalls from operating. According to the ministry, the police intervened causing the situation to escalate into clashes with protesters throwing stones at the officers resulting … Continue reading 47 arrested during clashes in Tunisia