Tunisian revolution
| 2010–2011 Tunisian protests | |
|---|---|
| Location |  Tunisia |
| Date | 18 December 2010 – ongoing |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Injured | 1+ |
The 2010–2011 Tunisian protests are ongoing fatal[1] demonstrations over unemployment and poor living conditions in the Maghreb country, which began in December 2010. Demonstrations such as these are rare in Tunisia. It is the worst unrest the country has faced for at least a decade.[2]
Background
Riots on 18 December in Sidi Bouzid went largely unnoticed though social media sites like Facebook and Youtube featured images of police dispersing youths who attacked shop windows and damaged cars. One protester, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself alight in protest against the confiscation of his fruit and vegetable cart. He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Tunis where he died on 4 January.[3]
This came despite media networks pointing out that riots in Tunisia were rare as it was generally considered stable in its region and amongst the wealthiest. Al Jazeera English also said that Tunisian activists are amongst the most outspoken in its part of the world with various messages of support being posted on Twitter for Bouazizi.[4] An op-ed article in the same network said of the action that it was "suicidal protests of despair by Tunisia's youth." It pointed out that the state-controlled National Solidarity Fund and the National Employment Fund had traditionally subsidisied many goods and services in the country but had started to shift the "burden of providence from state to society" to be funded by the "bidon-villes" around the richer town and suburbs. It also cited the "marginalization of the agrarian and arid central and southern areas [that] continue unabated."[5] The protests were also called an "uprising" because of "a lethal combination of poverty, unemployment and political repression: three characteristics of most Arab societies."[6]
Protests
There were reports of police obstructing demonstrators and using tear gas on hundreds of young protesters in Sidi Bou Zid in mid-December. The protesters had gathered outside regional government headquarters to demonstrate against the treatment of Mohamed Bouazizi who had set himself on fire to protest the police confiscation of fruit and vegetables he was trying to sell on the streets. Coverage of events was limited by Tunisian media. On 19 December, extra police were present on the streets of the city.[7]
On 22 December, Lahseen Naji responded to "hunger and joblessness." by electrocuting himself after climbing an electricity pylon.[8] Ramzi Al-Abboudi also killed himself because of financial difficulties arising from a business debt by the country's micro-credit solidarity programme.[5] On 24 December, Mohamed Ammari was fatally shot in the chest by police in Bouziane. Other protesters were also injured, including Chawki Belhoussine El Hadri, who died later on 30 December.[9] Police claimed they shot the demonstrators in "self-defence." A "quasi-curfew" was then imposed on the city by police.[1]
Violence later increased as Tunisian authorities and residents of Sidi Bou Zid Governorate encountered each other once again. The protests had reached the capital Tunis[8] on 27 December with about 1,000 citizens expressing solidarity[10] with residents of Sidi Bou Zid and calling for jobs. The rally, which was called by independent trade union activists, was stopped by security forces. The protests also spread to Sousse, Sfax and Meknassi.[11] The following day the Tunisian Federation of Labour Unions held another rally in Gafsa which was also blocked by security forces. At the same time about 300 lawyers held a rally near the government's palace in Tunis.[12] Protests continued again on the 29 December.[13]
On 30 December, police peacefully broke up a protest in Monastir while using force to disrupt further demonstrations in Sbikha and Chebba. Momentum appeared to continue with the protests on 31 December and further demonstrations and public gatherings by lawyers in Tunis and other cities following a call by the Tunisian National Lawyers Order. Mokhtar Trifi, president of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), said that lawyers across Tunisia had been "savagely beaten."[9] There were also unconfirmed reports of another man attempting to commit suicide in El Hamma.[14]
On 3 January, protests in Thala over unemployment and a high cost of living turned violent. A demonstration of 250 mostly students in support of the protesteors in Sidi Bouzid was met by police firing of tear gas, a canister of which also landed in a local mosque. In response, the protesters were reported to have set fire to tyres and attacked the office of Constitutional Democratic Rally.[15]
Political response
During a national television broadcast on 28 December, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali criticised people for their protests calling the perpetrators "extremists and mercenaries" and warned of "firm" punishment. He also accused "certain foreign television channels of broadcasting false allegations without verification, based on dramatisation, fermentation and deformation by media hostile to Tunisia."[16] His remarks were ignored and the protests continue.[13]
On 29 December, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali shuffled his cabinet to remove his communications minister Oussama Romdhani, while also announcing changes to the trade and handicrafts, religious affairs, communication and youth portfolios.[17] The next day he also announced the dismissal of the governors of Sidi Bouzid, Jendouba and Zaghouan.[18]
Other reactions
The International Federation for Human Rights condemned "the use of firearms by the Tunisian security forces, and calls for an independent inquiry to cast light on these events, to hold those responsible accountable and to guarantee the right to peaceful protest."[9]
On 2 January the hacktivist group Anonymous announced 'Operation Tunisia' in solidarity with the protests in hacking a number of Tunisian state-run websites.[19] In a statement Anonymous announced that "The Tunisian government wants to control the present with falsehoods and misinformation in order to impose the future by keeping the truth hidden from its citizens. We will not remain silent while this happens. Anonymous has heard the claim for freedom of the Tunisian people. Anonymous is willing to help the Tunisian people in this fight against opression."[20] The next day the websites of the stock exchange, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Industry, Tunisian Government Commerce, The Carthage Palace (home to the President), Presidential electione commission and a government website that is a portan for various ministries.[21]
Media reaction
Despite criticism about the "sparse" level of coverage and "little interest" given to the demonstrations by the international media, the protests have been hailed by some commentators as "momentous events" in Tunisian history.[22] Brian Whitaker, writing in The Guardian, suggested the protests may be enough to bring an end to Ben Ali's presidency and noted similarities with the end of Nicolae Ceauşescu's reign in Romania in 1989.[22]
The lack of coverage in the domestic state-controlled media was also criticised.[4]
Regional instability
On 29 December, clashes with police were also reported in neighbouring Algiers, Algeria, over protests about the lack of housing. At least 53 people were reported to have been injured and another 29 were arrested.[23]
References
- ^ a b "Protester dies in Tunisia clash: Several wounded in Sidi Bouzid as demonstrations against unemployment turn violent". Al Jazeera. 25 December 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ Borger, Julian (29 December 2010). "Tunisian president vows to punish rioters after worst unrest in a decade". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ Tunisian who sparked rare protests dies: relatives -Reuters
- ^ a b Riots reported in Tunisian city – Africa – Al Jazeera English
- ^ a b Tunisia: The battle of Sidi Bouzid – Opinion – Al Jazeera English
- ^ The rebirth of Arab activism - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
- ^ "Images posted on social-network sites show police intervening to halt disturbances ignored by national media". Al Jazeera. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Protests continue in Tunisia". Al Jazeera. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "A protester dies after being shot by police, as activists criticise government repression of protests". Al Jazeera. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ Tunisia jobless protests rage – Africa – Al Jazeera English
- ^ Job protests escalate in Tunisia – Africa – Al Jazeera English
- ^ Tensions flare across Tunisia – Africa – Al Jazeera English
- ^ a b "Tunisia struggles to end protests". Al Jazeera. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ "video: today a young unemployed man trying to commit a suicide in El Hamma #sidibouzid". Nawaat. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ Violent clashes continue in Tunisia - Africa - Al Jazeera English
- ^ "Tunisia president warns protesters". Al Jazeera. 28 December 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ "Tunisian president removes ministers after protests". Al Arabiya. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ "More heads roll in Tunisian social crisis". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
- ^ "Tunisia under attack by Anonymous; press release". Daily Kos. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ^ "Operation Tunesia – English". Anonymous. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ^ Hackers hit Tunisian websites - Africa - Al Jazeera English
- ^ a b Whitaker, Brian (28 December 2010). "How a man setting fire to himself sparked an uprising in Tunisia". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ Scores hurt in Algeria protests - Africa - Al Jazeera English