Category:

Society

Tunisia’s elections: A view from the town that made the revolution

by Alessandra Bajec September 16, 2019

KASSERINE, Tunisia- Taking a walk around downtown Kasserine, in central western Tunisia, there was very little sign of an election coming up just days before the polls. In the busy streets, there were hardly …

September 16, 2019 121 views

Tunisian fishermen can either ignore drowning migrants or face the law

by Alessandra Bajec April 10, 2019

ZARZIS, Tunisia- On March 8, a boat carrying 64 irregular migrants, including four women, was rescued by Tunisian navy off Zarzis, after it broke down. The migrants, of African origin, were coming …

April 10, 2019 125 views

Tunisia’s first racism conviction comes amid anger over activist’s killing

by Alessandra Bajec February 7, 2019

Country’s black minority and sub-Saharan immigrants report regular attacks and abuse A Tunisian woman has been given a suspended jail sentence and fined for racist insults against her daughter’s teacher, marking the …

February 7, 2019 118 views

Young Tunisians see red

by Alessandra Bajec January 16, 2019

TUNIS, Tunisia- On 8 December, Tunisian activists circulated an official statement on social media announcing the launch of a new grassroots group (“gilets rouges”) that intends to organise peaceful protests against the …

January 16, 2019 105 views

Closure of border with Libya takes its toll on Tunisia’s informal trade

by Alessandra Bajec September 18, 2018

BEN GUERDANE, Tunisia — The main street on Ben Guerdane, a frontier town in southeast Tunisia that is about 30 kilometres from the Libyan border, is lined with goods stockpiled outside shops …

September 18, 2018 180 views

Tunisian women lead battle for truth and justice

by Alessandra Bajec July 11, 2018

Women are watching closely to make sure the transitional justice process will give dignity to those who suffered violence and abuse. As Tunisia’s Truth Commission nears the end of its mandate, women …

July 11, 2018 76 views

Tunisians of Semmama celebrate mountain culture to challenge extremism

by Alessandra Bajec May 25, 2018

SBEITLA, Tunisia — In the countryside outside Sbeitla, in the Kasserine governorate of western central Tunisia, lies a small hill at the foot of Mount Semmama framed by a sunset sky. Vehicles of …

May 25, 2018 104 views

Tunisia rocks taboo on LGBTQ+ rights

by Alessandra Bajec March 31, 2018

Post-revolutionary Tunisia continues to push the debate about gay rights into the public sphere, braving a repressive law, gender-based discrimination and homophobic violence. Tunisian activists have taken increasingly bold steps in the …

March 31, 2018 119 views

From wannabe militant to rapper: ‘Rap is my weapon and words are my bullets’

by Alessandra Bajec May 22, 2017

TUNIS, Tunisia -Last month Mohamed Zorgui found his dog dead on his doorstep, with a chilling note attached to it saying “enemy of Allah”. The 26-year-old rapper and former prisoner from Kasserine …

May 22, 2017 180 views