Most recent articles by Sarah Mersch
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Tunisia's union leader Houcine AbbassiThe intermediary
Houcine Abbassi has headed the Tunisian Labour Union Confederation UGTT since late 2011. Along with workers' rights, he primarily pleads for political dialogue in his home country. The National Dialogue Quartet he initiated for this purpose has now been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. By Sarah Mersch
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Planned ″business amnesty legislation″ in TunisiaTunisia: sweeping history under the carpet rather than confronting the past?
A proposed law designed to provide amnesty for corrupt businessmen is causing uproar in Tunisia. Opponents accuse the government of subverting the reappraisal of the country's dictatorial past. Details supplied by Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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New anti-terrorism law in TunisiaLaw triggers hope and concern
Tunisia has adopted a new anti-terror law in a bid to rein in the country's security problems. But critics say the legislation is inadequate and that it could potentially spell a return to authoritarian structures. By Sarah Mersch in Tunisia
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The Tunisian judiciaryPiecemeal change as reform stalls
The reform of Tunisia's judiciary has not progressed since the political upheaval of 2011. According to the constitution passed a year ago, however, new institutions are planned for the future. The constitutional court soon faces a mammoth task. By Sarah Mersch
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NGO report on the Jasmine Revolution and security in TunisiaHow to make the transition from dictatorship to democracy
Reform of the security system is one of the biggest challenges facing Tunisia – one that the country has not yet undertaken. But now the non-governmental organisation "Le Labo' Democratique" (The Democratic Lab) has released the first comprehensive analysis of the Jasmine Revolution and the security challenges faced by the country. Sarah Mersch was at the launch
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The Tunisian oud player Anouar BrahemRemembering turmoil
Anouar Brahem, perhaps Tunisia's best-known musician, recently brought his latest work to the stage and surprised the audience with his musical interpretation of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011. By Sarah Mersch
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Parliamentary and presidential elections in TunisiaThe euphoria has evaporated
In the run-up to parliamentary elections on 26 October, more than five million Tunisians registered to vote, considerably more than in 2011. Nevertheless, observers expected voter turnout to be low. Many Tunisians are frustrated by the fact that their situation has hardly improved in the three years since the overthrow of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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The Jewish community in Tunisia"Everything is ok; we don't have any problems"
Once numbering over one hundred thousand, Tunisia's Jewish community has dwindled over the years. Its members practice discretion, but certainly have no desire to hide. By Sarah Mersch in Tunisia
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Victims of the Tunisian RevolutionThe slow and painful search for the truth
Three years have passed since Tunisians took to the streets in protest against their ruler, Ben Ali. The country is now slowly moving towards democracy, but the victims of those early revolutionary days are still waiting for justice. Hopes that the truth will come to light and that relatives will discover who killed and injured their loved ones during the unrest are diminishing by the day. By Sarah Mersch
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Tunisia's new constitutionThe pain and joy of giving birth
It took the political parties in Tunisia two years to agree on the country's draft constitution, which was adopted on Sunday, 26 January. The resulting document, however, is as contradictory as Tunisian society itself. By Sarah Mersch
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Death Penalty in TunisiaOn the Way to Class Justice
The death penalty has not been carried out in Tunisia since the early 1990s. But there are still prisoners on death row to this day. In their book "The Siliana Syndrome", authors spotlight an issue that still represents a major social taboo. By Sarah Mersch
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Tunisian Theatre Director Fadhel JaibiWarning against a Black Wave of Islamism
In his first play since the overthrow of Ben Ali two years ago, Tunisian theatre director Fadhel Jaibi warns against the rise of the Islamists. But according to Sarah Mersch, "Tsunami" lacks the subtle analysis so characteristic of his earlier productions