Tunisian bloggers discuss Maghreb events

2009-04-17

Discussions in the Tunisian blogosphere covered issues of regional political stability, freedom of expression and definitions of martyrdom.

By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 17/04/09

[www.tareknightlife.blogspot.com] Tunisian blogger Tarik Kahlaoui examined the significance of Algeria's elections on the region.

Tunisian bloggers discussed a variety of topics this past week, commenting on the Algerian presidential election, recent actions of the Tunisian Bar Association and Tunisian Martyr's Day.

In his blog Nocturnal Thoughts, Tarik Kahlaoui wrote about the impact of Algeria's presidential elections on April 9th on the Maghreb, regardless of the results. Kahlaoui said, "As Tunisians, just as the rest of Maghreb citizens, we usually look at the situation in sisterly Algeria with special attention. We have always had a complicated relation with our bigger sister… located to the west."

The Algerian election will bring nothing new, added Kahlaoui.

"However, most likely, it carries the aspects of another retraction in Algeria’s move towards a pluralistic political regime; something that means further aggravation of the crisis of the political pluralistic model in the region as a whole."

The owner of Farda wa Lqat Okhtaha, Sofiene Chourabi, commented on the Tunisian Bar Association general secretary's decision two weeks ago to prevent all lawyers from participating in TV programmes. The blogger wrote, "The issue of lawyers’ participation in TV programmes is still the focus of interest for a big number of parties concerned with media affairs," adding, "The latest events threaten dangerous developments that would further perpetuate the state of dullness and stagnation that characterizes the media scene in our country."

In a comment, Chourabi said, "Many observers were optimistic over the beginning of a number of national TV channels in airing social talk shows that are characterized with boldness, which is hard to be found in Tunisia. Some people thought that some TV programmes discussing several issues classified as taboo would pave the way for more media openness in a changing world climate." Yet, "the retroactive forces soon emerged again, killed those ambitions at their very beginning, and restricted our media."

Chourabi expressed outrage at the Bar Association for going so far as to call for "disciplining" five lawyers who participated in TV and radio programmes without first consulting with the Association's general secretariat.

Express Yourself… It’s Tunisia commemorated Martyr Day on April 9th. The blog pondered the meaning of martyrdom and what it means to remember the fall of these victims.

"I’d rather call it the 'memory of martyrs' rather than Martyr's Day. When people are killed on their own land because they demand their right to dignity and self-determination, it has nothing to do with celebration. I shall not delve into the history of that day; the sacrifices of the sons of this nation are live in the memory of every Tunisian. They have all our appreciation and reverence, and we pray for mercy for them all year round and not just today."

Still, the writer stressed the need to examine the definition of the term "martyrdom", especially as Arabs use the term loosely, giving it several meanings.

The blogger explored the various meanings of martyrdom as currently understood: "Who defined martyrdom as a necessary death in a battle in defence of a nation or belief? Death in the cells of torture? And death out of kicks and punches during a march or a demonstration? And death in a hunger strike in protest for a right enshrined in the Constitution? And death as a result of medical malpractice? And death out of starvation in a country that distributes wealth unequally? And death out of drowning on high seas in an attempt to escape from unemployment and poverty? And death at a room or a hotel because someone decided to blow up the place?"