Mass protests have again rocked Tunisia in recent weeks with at least a thousand arrested.
Ten years since the Tunisian revolution broke out, the Tunisian people have once again declared their rebellion against the reality of poverty, injustice and marginalization that they still live under.
Despite the revolution having succeeded in uprooting the symbols of the dictatorial regime of that time, all the successive post-revolution governments have carried on with the same policies that were pursued during the pre-revolutionary period. They have had absolutely no solutions whatsoever to offer to the country’s economic and social crisis; in fact, they have contributed to deepen this crisis every step of the way.
This makes clear that the Tunisian revolution has not completed its road, since the goals for which it broke out have not been achieved. Even freedom of expression has become increasingly threatened, as illustrated most especially through the recent events: restriction of basic freedoms, daily harassment of activists, arrest of hundreds of protesters, and systematic police repression of social movements. All these moves are aimed at facilitating the continuation of the same policies of impoverishment for the majority and ever-lasting enrichment of a corrupt ruling class.
All governments after the 2011 Revolution have acted as a roadblock to completing the revolution. This is because they have been all based on the capitalist system, that is responsible for perpetuating the exploitation of workers and poor people as well as the financial, administrative and bureaucratic corruption at the high levels of the state.
The current revolt, driven by the youth in all popular neighbourhoods, requires an urgent appeal to all living revolutionary forces to join together, unite and organize around a specific program to frame this revolutionary movement in every part of the country, and avoid it falling into chaotic, nihilistic and dispersed actions.
We are a revolutionary socialist group who believe in the right of the Tunisian people to carry on with its just revolutionary struggle, until it can democratically control, plan and enjoy the country’s wealth. In light of the deteriorating situation in the country, we propose the following demands:
- The Revolution continues! Let’s continue to fight and demonstrate everywhere against the mafia system, against poverty and marginalization policies
- Demand the immediate release of all protesters arrested
- Support for the statements of the National Lawyers’ Association and the National Commission for Young Lawyers, for the unconditional defense of freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, and against the worsening police violence towards pacific demonstrations
- Formation of self-defense and local coordination committees among the general population at the level of all cities and towns that are undergoing a protest movement
- Build for a general labour strike for jobs, wage increases and an urgent social action plan to provide for those suffering from the Covid-related restrictions
- Capitalism in all its manifestations aims to perpetuate class-based political choices that are hostile to the masses; therefore, achieving the demands for social justice, equality and freedom can only be done through a democratic socialist government, as an alternative to this exploitative system.
Photo: Tayaar al’Amael al’Qaaedi
