Democracy Digest » Search Results » Tunisia

Call for dialog to save Tunisia’s transition from extremist threat

Demdigest — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:30:16 +0000

Tunisia’s acting president and labor unions have called for dialog and consensus on contentious issues hindering the democratic transition, as the country braces itself for anticipated violent unrest ata planned Salafist gathering this weekend.

“Everyone must make the necessary …

Tunisia cracks down on Salafists, as rights groups criticize draft constitution

Demdigest — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:44:26 +0000

Tunisia’s Islamist-majority government has cracked down on the operations of Ansar al-sharia, the hardline Salafist group suspected of involvement in the attack on the US embassy in Tunis last year.

The initiative coincides with expressions of concern by international …

Dual ‘Salafist jihadist’ threat to Tunisia’s transition

Demdigest — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:13:42 +0000

Tunisia’s major parties may have ended a months-old stalemate by negotiating a provisional agreement on the country’s future constitution, but the country’s democratic transition faces an overlapping threat from violent jihadists and ultra-conservative Salafists, say analysts.

“We have …

Global Pew survey shows Muslim majorities favor democracy – and sharia

Demdigest — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:40:07 +0000

“Muslims around the world express broad support for democracy and for people of other faiths being able to practice their religion freely,” according to a major new survey. “At the same time, many Muslims say religious leaders should influence political …

Arab revolts, liberal order & authoritarian resilience

Demdigest — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:58:59 +0000

“It is difficult to pass judgment on the health of democracy today without an assessment of the Arab revolts,” says a prominent democracy expert.

“Despite the stirring images of courageous, sophisticated, and articulate protesters running great personal risk for a …

Global media freedom ‘takes a hit’

Demdigest — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:34:13 +0000

At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that media freedom is on the decline, writes Karin Deutsch Karlekar, project director of Freedom House’s annual Freedom of the Press report.

After all, in a world in which news is being produced …

Iran violating freedom of association, workers’ rights, says report

Demdigest — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:44:14 +0000

Iranian authorities today deployed Special Forces to break up a strikers’ blockade, as workers used today’s May Day international holiday celebrating the dignity of labor to demand better wages at a time of spiraling inflation.

The Islamic Republic …

Democracy ‘at a standstill’ – but eroding in European heartland

Demdigest — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:36:12 +0000

The global democratic regression has stalled and some of the world’s most authoritarian regions have registered significant gains over the past year, but “the overall pace of democratic change remained stagnant” during 2012, according to a new survey.

The democracy …

Jon Stewart’s new ‘Daily Show’: Censorship and Power in Iran

Demdigest — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:07:08 +0000

Screening & Discussion

Maziar Bahari, Journalist and Filmmaker

Joel Simon, Committee to Protect Journalists

in conversation with

Jon Stewart, Political Satirist

As Iran nears elections in June, the government has launched renewed assaults on the media with …

Egypt’s defensive opposition seeks military savior (instead of building labor base)

Demdigest — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:50:31 +0000

“Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist allies acted on Tuesday to defuse a row over attempts to force out thousands of judges, sending a bitterly opposed judicial reform bill to a parliamentary committee for further consideration,” Reuters reports: …