As it is theoretically and practically in the best interest of civil society and government authorities of a democratic society that citizens are vocal and active in the name of transparency and accountability, practices in the vein of whistleblowing, muckraking, and ‘principled leaking’ are not to be condemned but supported, the responsibles of exposing information previously undisclosed at the expense of the common good not persecuted but protected by the law.
Amami and Mlouka Case Dismissed – and Rule of Law Prevails over Police Force
Lawyers, academics, politicians, civil society, more than one-hundred fifty organizations, Tunisians and internationals were part of the movement to FreeAzyz Amami and Sabri Ben Mlouka: democratic transition demands that the misuse of judicial power inherent in police state be replaced by the precedence of an independent justice.
Activist Azyz Amamy and Sabri Ben Mlouka Arrested, Law 52 Polemic Continues
Thirty-one year old blogger and activist Aziz Amami was arrested yesterday, May 12, 2014 in La Goulette, a beachside neighborhood of the capital. Some time between ten and eleven o’clock Monday night, Amami and his friend, photographer Sabri Ben Mlouka, were purportedly pulled over and detained for the possession and consumption of marijuana.
Tunisia: Student Marwa Maalawi sentenced to three months of jail for using a derogatory word
On Wednesday October 9th, 2013, the 20- year old student Marwa Maalawi was sentenced to 3 months of jail on charge of addressing women’s minister Sihem Badi with derogatory word. On the 27th of March, 2013, student Marwa raised a sign in a protest in front of the ministry of women on which she wrote: “In the era of terrorist Ennahdha, a chaste woman is raped because her minister is a whore.”
Note on Freedom of Expression provisions in Latest Draft of Tunisian Constitution
The Centre for Law and Democracy is today releasing a Note analysing the freedom of expression provisions in the new […]
Amnesty International: Tunisia: Blogger jailed for “insulting Islam” must be released
Tunisia should mark its national day of internet freedom on 13 March by releasing immediately and unconditionally 28-year-old blogger Jabeur […]
The murder of Abdulraouf Khamasi and the attempted cover-up by the security and justice sectors
The Interior Ministry claims in its report, published on 10 September, that an investigative inquiry was launched on 30 August 2012 – this is true. However, what the ministry fails to give are the subject and title of this report.
Tunisia : The case of Amin Alkarami reveals the identity of an army sniper
we are launching today an investigation into a case the analysis of which has only ever been superficial and which, as a result, has remained shrouded in mystery. We will try, during this investigation, to unearth the truth of the army sniper implicated in the murder of 17th January 2011…
Tunisian Assembly: It’s a Man’s World, but Women Can Help!
On August 1, 2012, the Tunisian committee on rights and liberties – one of the constitutional committees charged with drafted different chapter in the Tunisian constitution – voted in controversial new language that promises to protect women’s rights as “man’s partner.”
State of Emergency: The free reign of the Interior Ministry and the risk of authoritarian drift
Since 15th January, Tunisia has been under a state of emergency. At that time the President had just fled the country and disorder was widespread. It was then difficult then to maintain the proper functioning of the administration, to ensure national security and to continue to live normally.
The case of the missing Tunisian migrants: From one shore to another, lives which matter
The controversial affair of the Tunisian migrants lost at sea during the months of March, April and May 2011, continues to perplex Tunisian authorities as well as those on the Italian peninsula. This article aims to give a chronological account of the key facts surrounding this affair .
Tunisia: Appeal Court Confirms Verdict in Islam Criticism Case
On 25 June the Monsatir Court of Appeal confirmed a primary verdict in the case of Jabeur Mejri, a young Tunisian citizen convicted over the publishing of content deemed “insulting” to Islam.
Constituent Assembly: Duty to Lead the Way in Transparency and Governmental Accountability
On June 4th, members of the OpenGovTN group (an initiative that works to institutionalize transparency in the new Tunisia) met with the information and communication official in the Constituent Assembly, representative Karima Souid.
Mission Impossible : Access to Information in the Constituent Assembly
Being at the Constituent Assembly nearly everyday for the past month or so has not, contrary to what people may think, helped me get most important documents out to the public. Until this day, there is no systemic way of accessing crucial information on committee work
Tunisia: “The Illusion of Islam” unveils the illusion of liberty
This very day. Human Rights Watch and Reporters without Borders made the journey to Mahdia to investigate the case. Both Tunisian and foreign media have started talking about the case in hopes of provoking public opinion on an issue that cuts to the core of of the freedom of expression
Investigation – “Mahdia Affair” : 7 years of prison and 1200 dinar fine for Atheism?
I heard the news two days ago. Two young Tunisians, both 28, from the Mahdia region, each received 7 and a half year prison sentences and 1200 dinar fines for having published a photo insulting the Prophet on Facebook.
OpenGovTN meeting exposes the need for pragmatic action to ensure transparency
Following a mostly online presence, a few members and supporters of the Tunisian OpenGov initiative gathered last night, March 10, 2012, at Nawaat’s Hackerspace – a community meeting space created by Nawaat to facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources – a perfect space for OpenGovTN to meet. OpenGovTN, an initiative that was launched some months ago, aims to institutionalize the concepts of open governance, open data, and transparency in a new Tunisia on all governmental fronts […]
Tunisia arrests young rapper after online protest song
Anis Mrabti, (aka Volcanis le Roi), a 27 year old Tunisian Rapper has been arrested on Wednesday january 25, 2012 around 2 pm at his home in El Mourouj neighborhood in Tunis. According to his parents, 6 allegedly plain-clothes police officers broke into the house without showing their police badges or any warrant and asked the young Anis, who was at that time behind his computer, if he was the rapper behind the song “Shay Ma Tbaddel” (Nothing has Changed). When he confirmed, they took him and confiscated his computer and MP3 players without giving any further details to Anis’ parents who were choked by this brutal arrest.