Tunisia’s Transition: The Ups and Downs

The U.S. Treasury Department announced, “The United States will provide as much as “several hundred million dollars” of loan guarantees to support Tunisia’s democratic transition and economic recovery.” There have certainly been some positive steps in Tunisia’s transition: the reforms to the educational system are beginning to take shape following a conference in late March, and The Ministry of Transitional Justice and Human Rights invited the wounded and families of the martyrs of the revolution to receive free healthcare and public transportation cards.

However, the struggles are just as present. Amnesty International called for the charges to be dropped against Nabil Karoui, a TV boss who screened the French film Persepolis. Karoui faces charges of “violating sacred values” and “disturbing the public order” after his station broadcast the animated film. Relatedly, Magda Abu-Fadil voices concern over media freedom being further restricted post-revolution. Concerns have been expressed by new government officials, journalists, and international NGOs about the attacks on media officials.