Tunisia Live » Farah Samti

Government Calls for New Anti-Terrorism Law and Rejects Torture

Farah Samti — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:13:53 +0000

Samir Dilou, the Tunisian Minister of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, today called for the adoption of a new anti-terrorism law and asserted that the use of torture to fight crime and terrorism is never justified. The current anti-terrorism law, which dates back to December 2003, is not efficient and a new one must be [...]

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Clashes Over Ansar al-Sharia Meeting Leave One Dead

Farah Samti — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:01:08 +0000

Clashes between supporters of a Salafist group and the police Sunday in the Ettadhamen suburb in Tunis resulted in the death of 27 year-old Moez Dahmani, according to state news agency TAP. The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior stated that 11 policemen and three protesters were injured during yesterday’s confrontations. The clashes started as security [...]

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Extremist Violence a Growing Concern in Tunisia

Farah Samti — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:32:11 +0000

As militants confront security forces near the Algerian border and tensions rise between the government and conservative religious organizations, the threat of extremist violence is a growing concern in post-revolutionary Tunisia. Violent confrontations in western Tunisia between state security forces and militants with alleged al-Qaeda ties have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. Over 15 [...]

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Ansar al-Sharia Vows to Hold Salafist Gathering Despite Government Ban

Farah Samti — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:31:31 +0000

Leaders of the Salafist organization Ansar al-Sharia announced today that they will not obtain legal permission to hold their annual congress in Kairouan on Sunday and will gather there despite the government’s refusal to allow the meeting. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Tunis. Only male reporters were allowed to attend [...]

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Salafists Protest Potential Ban of Ansar al-Sharia Meeting

Farah Samti — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:59:11 +0000

A gathering of the Salafist organization Ansar al-Sharia scheduled to take place in Kairouan on Sunday has become a focus of controversy amid speculation that it could be banned by the government. The group has yet to obtain a legal license for the event, an annual meeting that tens of thousands are expected to attend. Clashes [...]

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Deadlock over Controversial Group Delays National Dialogue Agreement

Farah Samti — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:43:51 +0000

The failure of political parties to reach an agreement regarding the Leagues for the Protection of the Revolution (LPR) brought National Dialogue discussions to a halt on Tuesday. The LPR has been accused by unions and opposition political parties of causing violence during protests, assaulting their members and attacking their headquarters. The National Dialogue brings together a [...]

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Politicians Demand Swift Passage of Transitional Justice Law

Farah Samti — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:52:17 +0000

Members of two committees in the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) began discussing the draft law on transitional justice today after months of delay. The draft law for the Protection of the Revolution, which would ban those who served under the previous regime from political life for a period of time, has often been prioritized over [...]

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Concerns of Bias Plague Potential Elections Board

Farah Samti — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:43:45 +0000

Tunisia’s constituent assembly will discuss candidates for the country’s Independent Board of Elections (ISIE) this Thursday through Saturday, while addressing concerns that some official candidates have alleged political affiliations. The ISIE will be tasked with organizing Tunisia’s next presidential and legislative elections and 101 candidates are under consideration. The draft law and National Constituent Assembly [...]

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Ghannouchi Condemns Militant Violence, Calls for “Peaceful Jihad”

Farah Samti — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:24:05 +0000

Rached Ghannouchi, head of the ruling Ennahdha party, addressed ongoing security issues today related to militants near the border with Algeria and condemned terrorist activity in Tunisia. He spoke at a press conference at Ennahdha’s office in the Tunis suburb of Cité Tahrir, where he also addressed recent controversial political matters. Ghannouchi stated that Ennahdha, an Islamist [...]

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Q & A: Arab Activists Organize Anti-Homophobia Campaign

Farah Samti — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:37:55 +0000

The online magazine Aswat has launched an anti-homophobia campaign called “Love for All” that will last throughout the month of May. In a statement issued on April 29, Aswat called on citizens from throughout the Arab World to submit pictures of themselves holding signs with messages rejecting homophobia. The campaign commemorates the International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, [...]

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