CIVIL SOCIETY AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES > TUNISIA
Civil society leading the way towards democracy n Tunisian journalists from the youth radio station at their morning meeting
www.enpi-info.eu Between June 2011 and June 2012 the EU donated nearly €6,500,000 towards supporting Tunisian civil society with the aim of securing a democratic transition and developing a human rights culture in the country. Our journalist met with bloggers, journalists and other major players in this transition. Here is his report. Text by: EU / Neighbourhood Info Centre Pictures by: EPA © EU / Neighbourhood Info Centre TUNIS - A few days before the revolution of 14 January 2011, the young Tunisian Sofien Belhaj was rotting in a Tunisian Ministry of the Interior jail. His only ‘crime’ was to have challenged the existing regime by sending messages, via his computer, to his compatriots and the whole world to denounce the country’s dictatorship. Through his blog he dared to say out loud what a lot of people were secretly thinking. The experience of this young blogger is indicative of a state of mind of young Tunisians eager for change and driven by the burning desire to live their lives differently. Who would have imagined that a group of young people could have played a part in destabilising and toppling one of the Arab world’s most despotic regimes?
“I have a dream: A democratic Tunisia” Sofien,who is a member of the Association of Tunisian Bloggers, which is supported by the European Union, describes his experience: “At first we were a group of young people who, in Belgium, had decided to start an organisation to evaluate and critique the activities of the government, but then I decided to branch out and create my own space on Facebook: ‘I have a dream: A democratic Tunisia’”. He used ‘the alias ‘Hamadi Kaloutcha’. Why did he choose this name This publication does not represent the and surname? Sofien explains: “I couldn’t reveal my identity for reasons with which you are familiar, so I official view of the EC chose Hamadi because it’s a common name. Kaloutcha is the name or the EU institutions. EU Neighbourhood Info Centre of a fisherman from near Rades (10 kilometres from Tunis) who is The EC accepts no known for his outspokenness and his bravery. I wanted to ‘demolish’ Feature no. 82 responsibility or This is a series of features on projects liability whatsoever the government’s approach to democracy with arguments. It was funded by the EU, prepared by with regard to its difficult to do my work openly before 14 January 2011. The governjournalists and photographers on the content. ground or the EU Neighbourhood ment was very sensitive about the possibility of publication on my Info Centre. blog of Wikileaks about Tunisia. The number of visits to the web © 2012 EU Neighbourhood Info Centre page showed the huge impact that it was having. On 5 January 2011
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The blogger Sofien Belhaj
the police identified me and I was arrested the following day. They confiscated all my equipment and documents. It was very upsetting.”
Increasing transparency in the electoral process “It is remarkable that the EU was able to finance projects retrospectively or mobilise large sums of money so quickly or even change the rules so that different political actors could fully participate in the country’s political and social life.”
n Ouerghi Awatef, a journalist from the youth radio station at work
n Meher Ferchichi, a journalist from the youth radio station at work
The Tunisian Association for Democratic Awakening experienced problems in the early days of the revolution and was able to contribute, in its way and with limited resources, to increasing transparency in the electoral process. The association was created at the beginning of the revolution of 14 January by a group of volunteers. Today it receives financial support from the European Union. Its aim, as its Chairman Rafik Halouani explains, is to “secure the democratic transition and develop a human rights culture as well as fundamental liberties”. He adds: “one of the association’s greatest achievements has been the creation of the Mourakiboun network to monitor the Constituent Assembly elections on 23 October 2011. We were able to train and deploy 4,000 observers. It’s important to point out that, without the support of the EU, who, I can clearly state, do not interfere in the projects, we would not have been able to achieve these results.”
Two time periods: Before and after the revolution The EU has supported civil society in Tunisia for a number of years, even before the outbreak of the revolution. Mr Michel Mouchiroud, who is responsible for civil society projects at the European delegation in Tunis, explains how the process has evolved: “The EU’s support for civil society in Tunisia can be categorised into two time periods: before and after the revolution. Before the revolution it can be said that the process was blocked. It was limited to a few projects in rural and remote areas of Tunisia. In 2010 more funds were made available. We had thought about working on youth and research projects, but the revolution changed everything.” As the EU had flexible mechanisms, funds to support the transition were mobilised. The human rights sector was identified as a way to support the major players and consolidate the gains of the revolution. “One of our objectives is to boost political life and support political reform, particularly by helping the Tunisian League of Human Rights to implement its plans,” adds Mr Mouchiroud. “We are also helping the National Union of Tunisian Journalists regain a leading role in the media by providing training in ethics. We have supported around forty emerging organisations, directly and indirectly. I can cite, for example, the associations that have worked on the democratic monitoring of elections, the Association of Tunisian Bloggers (ABT) and the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, which we support through the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders. We support them in their objective of delivering visibility for the citizen. Lastly, he says: “We have had to be extremely flexible in our approach and our work with partners who sometimes had no experience in project management.”
Respect for human rights “by all” and “for all”
n Journalist Hende Askri during the broadcasting of her daily show
The Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF), based in Tunis, played a fundamental role in supporting civil society. Created in 2004, the foundation supports the respect and promotion of the European Union’s guidelines and the United Nations declaration on defenders of human rights, adopted in 1998. “Our vision is based on the principle of respect for human rights ‘by all’ and ‘for all’ in a number of areas,” explains Mr Ramy Salhi, the regional manager of EMHRF. “These include the fight against impunity, women’s rights, citizenship and elections, the rights of migrants and refugees, and
“We have had to be extremely flexible in our approach and our work with partners, who sometimes had no experience in project management.”
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Rafik Halouani with his team
Civil society leading the way towards democracy
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“Before the economic, social and cultural rights...” “Before the revolution, the threats against freedom were real, which constrained the association to act in difficult conditions in their support for human rights de- revolution it can be said fenders. Afterwards, the situation changed. Those threats no longer existed. However, we needed to that support act quickly to support the wave of change. We had to lay down action plans in very short time frames from the EU in order to provide previously unanticipated funding for these young organisations..,” adds Mr Salhi. “It is remarkable that the EU was able to finance projects retroactively or mobilise large sums of money for civil society was so quickly or even change the rules so that different political actors could fully participate in the country’s political and social life.” Since then, the situation has changed again. “We have therefore readjusted blocked. Afterwards, our policy, with the aim of supporting new organisations by listening, coaching and providing pereverything sonalised training in project planning and project management.” Between June 2011 and June 2012, changed.” the EMHRF supported the launch of 16 organisations at a total cost of €350,000 (approximately 700,000 Tunisian dinars). Civil society activity in Tunisia is thriving more than ever. It has become a major player in politics as well as a counterweight capable of creating a new postrevolutionary momentum.
The development of civil society after the Arab Spring: EU support After the revolution, Tunisian society was eager to see European support being put into practice. The EU responded by providing its support to emerging Tunisian organisations, either directly by, in 2011, extending eligibility for calls for proposals to all organisations regardless of how long they had been in existence, or through a series of grants to smaller organisations, which were awarded by Tunisian partners of the EU in the framework of ongoing initiatives. Between June 2011 and June 2012 the EU donated nearly €6,500,000 to supporting Tunisian civil society with the aim of securing democratic transition and developing a human rights culture. Here is a list of projects which are currently supported by the European Commission: 1. Tous les tunisiens aux urnes (Dprods) [All Tunisians to the polls] for Strengthening Associative Resources for Organisations] 2. Observation des élections (LTDH) [Election observation] 14. Renforcement des défenseurs et des acteurs de la société civile 3. Restructuration de la LTDH [Restructuring the Tunisian League of tunisienne (FEMDH) [EMHRF - Supporting Tunisian civil society Human Rights] defenders and actors] 4. Renforcement des GDA à Tozeur (AID) [Promoting Agricultural 15. GODEM – Gestion Optimisée de Déchets en Méditerranée (IBGE) Development Groups in Tozeur] [GODEM – Optimised waste management in the Mediterranean] 5. Mise en valeur des sites archéologiques de l'empire romain 16. Independent Human Rights Defenders in Tunisia (INDEX on (ArcHeritage) [Promoting Roman empire archeological sites Censorship) (ArcHeritage initiative)] 17. Projet de renforcement du SNJT (PANOS Paris) [Supporting the 6. Vers une transparence du processus Electoral (ATED) [Increasing National Union of Tunisian Journalists – the SNJT] transparency in the electoral process (Tunisian Association for 18. Appui aux partis politiques (Fondation Konrad Adenauer) [Support Democratic Awakening)] for Political Parties – the Konrad Adenauer Foundation] 7. Promotion de l’égalité à travers le renforcement de la société civile 19. Une transition démocratique sensible au genre en Tunisie (AFTURD (CIDEAL) [Promoting equality by strengthening civil society] – ONU Femmes) [A gender-sensitive approach to democratic 8. Renforcement des capacités locales (CISS) [Building local capacity] transition in Tunisia (AFTURD – UN Women)] 9. Développement Durable, anciennes oasis du Nefzaoua (COSPE) 20. Décryptages : du droit d'informer au droit d'être informé (RFI) [Sustainable development, ancient oases of Nefzaoua] [Decoding – the right to inform and the right to be informed] 10. Soutien à la démocratisation en Tunisie (DRI) [Supporting the 21. Renforcer la place des jeunes dans le débat démocratique à travers transition to democracy in Tunisia] les médias (Search for Common Ground) [Using the media to 11. Drouce - Droits sociaux et citoyenneté (iMed) [Drouce Project for strengthen the role of young people in the democratic debate] Social Rights and Citizenship] 22. Renforcement des capacités de l'UTAP [Strengthening the resources 12. Soutenir les médias démocratiques en Tunisie (DW-Akademie) of the Tunisian Farming and Fisheries Union – UTAP] [Supporting democratic media in Tunisia] 23. Festival International du Film des DH de Tunis –Thala (Alliance) 13. ARCA - Renforcement des Capacités Associatives (GIZ) [ARCA Project [Tunis–Thala International Human Rights Film Festival] To find out more:
Coordination for the support of civil society in Tunisia: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tunisia/projects/overview/civil_society_fr.htm Developing Civil Society after the Arab Spring: Lessons learned from the EU Delegation in Tunisia: http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/article/developing-civil-society-after-%E2%80%98arab-spring%E2%80%99-lessonslearned-eu-delegation-tunisia EU Neighbourhood Info Centre factsheet – Civil society and local authorities: http://www.enpi-info.eu/thememed.php?subject=14&lang_id=469
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