Universal Hommage

Headlines in today's (Thursday, November 9) edition of La Presse has Tunisian organizations rendering universal hommage to the avant-gardist (vanguard, novel, experimental) initiatives of President Ben ali on the 19th anniversary of his assumption of power, called here Le Changement. UTICA (Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce, and Crafts) underlined that the president's speech on the occasion displayed his commitment to political and democratic reform, political pluralism, the rule of law and its institutions, and to human rights as they are globally understood. These measures respond to the aspirations and hopes of all Tunisians, according to UTICA. UTAP (Tunisian Union for Agriculture and Fishing) praised the leader for his adherence to priorities, which have led to remarkable results in the agriculture sector. UNFT (National Union of Tunisian Women) its commitment to supporting Tunisian women to the "level of their civilizational responsibilities," building on what they have already gained, all while women remain dedicated to their mission at the heart of the family and society. (La Presse [No. 22.973], 9 November 2006, p. 1). Thus, while proclaiming dedication publicly to the values of democracy , in actuality anything less than total support to the goals of the leadership and its goals is, basically, regarded as treason. Of course, the United States had a stint with that after 9/11, with the beginning and conduct of the war in Iraq. Hopefully, politics is getting a bit back to normal.

Ben Ali is accused by human rights groups of creating a highly authoritarian state under the appearance of a democracy, since he replaced the father of modern Tunisia, president-for-life Habib Bourguiba, in 1987. Multi-party politics began in the early 1980s; and the government says it recently started granting legal opposition groups funding to boost democracy. The ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally, dominates the legislature, as by law 80 percent of the seats in the 189-seat parliament are reserved for the ruling party. The remaining 20 percent are contested by six opposition parties. Rights advocates say Tunisia escapes the kind of criticism directed at other authoritarian governments in the area because its Western allies tend to focus on its positive economic performance and success in containing radical Islamist activism. Tunisia recognizes nine opposition parties but has banned five others. Ben Ali said that a state-appointed human rights group would be able to make surprise prison inspections.

Ben Ali came to power in November 1987, when doctors declared Bourguiba senile and unfit to rule.

Saturday, November 11, I'm leaving for Hammamet, leaving behind the traffic jams and congestion of the capital, Tunis. I plan to look into women's organizations there. Later, in Djerba I want to investigate the role of women in two minorities, which have populations on the islands: Ibadis (an Islamic sect) and Jews.