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Anonymous Letter Claims New Details on Belaid Assassination

Amira Masrour | 22 May 2013 | 1 Comment

The spokesman for assassinated opposition politician Chokri Belaid’s Popular Front coalition claims to have acquired an anonymous letter with further details about Belaid’s murder. Hamma Hammami said yesterday on the Nessma television station that his wife, Radhia Nasraoui, a lawyer and human rights activist, received a letter yesterday with details about the assassination, which occurred February [...]

Ettahrir Party Condemns “War-Like” Response to Ansar al-Sharia Gathering

Asma Smadhi | 20 May 2013 | 3 Comments

After clashes yesterday between supporters of the Salafist group Ansar al-Sharia and Tunisian security forces in the Ettadhamen suburb of Tunis, a range of Tunisian political parties and politicians have responded to the violence. The Ansar al-Sharia movement had scheduled a meeting in Kairouan for May 19, but it was declared illegal by the government [...]

Former Political Prisoners Demand Compensation from Government

Asma Smadhi | 18 May 2013 | 2 Comments

The Office of the Tunisian Presidency announced Thursday new measures concerning former political prisoners benefiting from a general amnesty policy, but protesters yesterday staged a second “Day of Anger” expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts to date. The presidency’s statement announced the direct recruitment of amnesty beneficiaries into the public sector before the end of June and [...]

Long-Awaited Consensus Reached on Key Political Issues

Amira Masrour | 17 May 2013 | 0 Comments

During a national dialogue conference yesterday hosted by the UGTT labor union, a diverse group of political parties reached consensus over a number of contentious issues that have bogged down Tunisian politics. The conference represents one of two separate and concurrent dialogue processes, the other being a ongoing dialogue organized by the Tunisian Presidency. A draft [...]

Extremist Violence a Growing Concern in Tunisia

Farah Samti | 17 May 2013 | 3 Comments

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 [...]

President’s Support for Niqab in Schools Angers Civil Society Groups

Amira Masrour | 16 May 2013 | 7 Comments

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki today spoke in support of the right of Tunisian women to wear the niqab in schools and condemned “discrimination” on religious grounds. The speech aroused stark criticism from some civil society members. Marzouki gave the speech during the opening session of a national dialogue conference and took a strong position on [...]

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

Farah Samti | 16 May 2013 | 6 Comments

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 [...]

100 Days After Belaid Murder, His Supporters Demand More Arrests

Amira Masrour | 15 May 2013 | 4 Comments

One hundred days after the assassination of opposition leader Chokri Belaid, the Popular Front coalition organized a demonstration in downtown Tunis today to pressure the government to speed up arrests in the case and unveil the identity of the politician’s suspected killer. Dozens of people gathered in front of the Municipal Theater. Mohamed Hedi Laabidi, [...]

Salafists Protest Potential Ban of Ansar al-Sharia Meeting

Farah Samti | 15 May 2013 | 2 Comments

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 [...]

Deadlock over Controversial Group Delays National Dialogue Agreement

Farah Samti | 15 May 2013 | 0 Comments

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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