Self-Immolation Reminds Tunisians Of Dashed Hopes
The Tunisian uprising, which started as a social revolution with a call for dignity and bread, has shifted to include not only economic grievances but a battle for the role of religion in the country, writes Fernande van Tets from Tunis.
TUNIS — March 12 was a regular Tuesday morning in the Tunisian capital. Employees were on their way to work and the sun was shining on Avenue Habib Bourghuiba. Yet two events were about to happen that would exemplify the struggle for the soul of Tunisia’s revolution. The question surrounding Tunisia's "dignity revolution" is: Which dignity should take priority, freedom of expression or a job?
In front of the opera house, a well-dressed crowd gathered, sporting trendy sunglasses. They were there to protest against the arrest of their friend, actress Sabrina Klibi, who had been taken at 4 a.m. the previous morning by security services following her participation in a video called "The police are dogs," which criticizes violence by the police.
They had gathered in favor of freedom of expression, something which many secular Tunisians feel has suffered since the initial torrent of opinions following the revolution. However, suddenly, the reason why the revolution broke out in the first place manifested itself again in front of their eyes.
Muttering to himself, a man began dousing himself in gasoline. “This is Tunisia, this is unemployment!” he shouted as he went up in flames, echoing the actions of Mohamed Bouazizi which started the uprising in December 2010.
