“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

About Meriem Dhaouadi

Meriem Dhaouadi is a youth activist working to promote civil and human rights in Tunisia.

Articles by Meriem Dhaouadi

Tunisia: the backlash in women‘s rights amid the rocky political transition

Meriem Dhaouadi 12 March 2013

The announcement of the long awaited new government in Tunisia coincided with International Women‘s Day. Ironically, only 3 women were appointed in the new cabinet. The exclusion of women from key posts in the government is not a new phenomenon in the history of modern Tunisia.

Denial runs through Tunisia: you say we absorbed the shock?

Meriem Dhaouadi 18 February 2013

Today, the one thing that devastated me the most is how quickly the president who is supposed to be a human rights defender, not just any president, stepped in to persuade us to get used to the spilling of blood.

Tunisia’s political dysfunction rests on a fierce power struggle

Meriem Dhaouadi 4 February 2013

The political players (the ones in government and the opposition) should accelerate their efforts today towards reaching consensus and putting Tunisia above everything else.

Don't hate the revolution, hate the power-play

Meriem Dhaouadi 21 January 2013

Weariness with unfulfilled promises, deteriorating economic conditions and the rising threat of violence was rather visible on the day celebrating the second anniversary of the Tunisian revolution.

Tunisia: economic pressures threaten the regime‘s survival

Meriem Dhaouadi 9 December 2012

A general strike will take place on Thursday, December 13, across Tunisia, a rare call, actually the third to be made by the powerful UGTT since its foundation in 1946.

Two Tunisian detainees die after hunger strike

Meriem Dhaouadi 26 November 2012

Bouazizi’s desperate act of self-immolation in response to his humiliation seems to be replicated once again under the rule of a legitimate government that came to power through the ballot box.

The Tunisian government, grandfather of the salafis?

Meriem Dhaouadi 12 November 2012

They are unwilling to go back to detaining and torturing “the Salafis” to win the satisfaction of the western hemisphere, but on the other hand, Tunisians are refusing to be returned to the middle ages.

No reason to celebrate in Tunisia

Meriem Dhaouadi 29 October 2012

23rd October marked the first anniversary of free and democratic elections in Tunisia. However, dissatisfaction over the slow pace of reform and the crackdown on human rights soured plans to celebrate.

Political violence in Tunisia takes the country backward?

Meriem Dhaouadi 22 October 2012

The coalition government has shown little interest in engaging in an authentic reconciliation between Tunisians with different political allegiances.

Tunisia: a reality check on women‘s rights in an abusive state

Meriem Dhaouadi 8 October 2012

The victim filed a complaint against the three police officers only to be charged with “intentional indecent behaviour” based on the testimony of the offenders.

Rough times in Tunisia: weak leaders vs. empowered fundamentalists

Meriem Dhaouadi 23 September 2012

Tunisian leaders must quickly and boldly address the problem of fundamentalism through building more robust democratic institutions, debate forums and a national dialogue.

Another ugly movie shot in ‘moderate’ Tunisia

Meriem Dhaouadi 16 September 2012

In Tunisia, the violent protest that took place after the Friday prayer near the US embassy resulted in four deaths with several seriously injured.

Looking for dignity elsewhere: Tunisian youth fleeing the birthplace of the Arab spring

Meriem Dhaouadi 9 September 2012

Frustration in Tunisia is growing especially among the youth who remain marginalized even though they were the ones who ignited change.

Crackdown on free media in Tunisia

Meriem Dhaouadi 2 September 2012

Stifling the media can lead to the emergence of robust new media, like those that accelerated the end of some of the most autocratic Arab dictators.

In the Tunisian elite we don’t trust

Meriem Dhaouadi 26 August 2012

Offended by the people‘s choice in the recent elections, Tunisia’s elite have now declared war on the people and their political rivals.

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