Tunisia
Tunisia is a North African country with a long sea coastline. This country has a population of 10 million people, and the capital city is Tunis. Tunisians are almost entirely Arab. The country achieved independence in 1956 and until 2011, it was ruled by the same party and only two presidents: Habib Bourgiba and Ben Ali Bourgiba, who took power in 1987. The Arab Spring began in Tunisia in December 2010 when Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, set himself on fire after being persecuted by local officials. Mass demonstrations followed as Tunisians set to the streets to protest the unemployment and high prices sedimented by the repressive regime. By January 2011, Ben Ali fled the country. In October 2011, elections were held and a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution. In 2013 elections for a new president and parliament were held. The Hizb al-Nahda party dominated the elections and Hamadi Jebali became prime minister and Moncef Marzouki presidency. Jabali resigned in 2013, and Mehdi Jomaa was appointed. Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi won the 2014 presidential election.
DATA VISUALIZATIONS
PROTESTS
Tunisia-January-2011
Thala,
Student in the city of Thala staged a march during the first weeks of the Arab Spring uprising in Tunisia. Police responded with firing tear gas. Protesters set fire tot tires and attacked local officers. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-January-2012
Manouba, Manouba University
Students hunger strike at university in order to lift the ban on wearing niqabs. 18 students in total participated in the hunger strike as well as a sit in in the lecture hall. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-November-2011
Manouba, University of Manouba
Hundreds of demonstrators called for women to be allowed to wear the Muslim veil. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-April-2015
Kairouan,
In protest of the sports exam requirements, students in an all-girls high school put an image of a sword wielding IS executioner on their banner next to drawings of hostages in orange jumpsuits. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-April-2015
Jendouba Governorate,
Two schools in protest of sports exam put large banners depicted Nazi and IS propaganda on their school building. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-January-2011
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Teachers across Tunisia went on strike after weeks of violent protests that brought down the government of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-May-2018
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Teachers took to the streets for a strike over control of public education funding. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-July-2018
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University faculty in Tunisia (and Algeria) have been protesting for months (Primary Source)
Tunisia-December-2016
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Students from the General Union of Tunisian Students have been using art (specifically graffiti art) as a form of protest against the President and his son. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-December-2017
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High school girls rebel against school uniforms which they term discrimination based on their gender. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-April-2017
Tunis, Higher Judicial Institute
Law students protest the government's plan to change access to the system. One student fainted. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-November-2016
Tunis, Habib Bourgiba Street
Students protest against new exam system. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-March-2018
Tunis,
Graduate students protest against privatising education trend in Tunisia. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-November-2016
Tunis, Ministry of Education
Teachers and students are protesting against the changing educational system. Teachers are protesting their poor wages and lack of support. (Primary Source)
Tunisia-January-2018
Tunis,
Thousands gathered to protest on the seventh anniversary of the Tunisian revolution that began the Arab Spring in 2011. The protest was about the current dissatisfaction with the government. Students arrived at the protest dressed as clowns (Primary Source)
Tunisia-March-2018
Tunis, Health Ministry
1,500 medical student protest in front of health ministry against a reform that pushed back the delivery of a diploma by several years. Students are also protesting for greater rights for medical interns. (Primary Source)