History Portfolio Zaman University Phnom Penh, Cambodia 6/4/2013 Samnang Heng Jasmine Revolution is the name given to the revolution which is going on in Tunisia. The protesters are people holding the protest against their leader, Ben Ali, the president.  “when the people want a better life, destiny has to bow” and “If, one day, a people desire to live, then fate will answer their call” El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf Verse of Tunisia’s National Anthem. Tunisia Brief Tunisia is a country located in the Northern Africa, bordering with Mediterranean Sea, and between Algeria and Libya. Tunisia is a small country having a total area of 163, 610 square Kilometers CIA. (2013, June 10). The World FactBook. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html . Political History of Tunisia Tunisia was a constitutional republic, with a president serving as a head of state, a prime minister as a head of government, a bicameral parliament and a court system influenced by French civil war. Tunisia was formally a democracy with a multi-party system, the secular Constitutional Democracy Rally (RCD), formerly Neo Destour, had controlled the country as one of the most repressive regime in Arab World since its independent in 1956 Ian Black. (2010, July 13). World news, Tunisia. (M. East, Editor) Retrieved June 10, 2013, from The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/13/amnesty-criticises-tunisia-human-rights. Tunisia since it obtained independence from March 20, 1956, has experienced two periods of dictatorship. The first period was under the Habib Bourguiba_ the founding father of independence and modern Tunisia, lasted between 1956- 1987 El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf. Habib Bourguiba built the state and economic from scratch, separated religion from the state, and developed the economy with far reaching reform. President Ben Ali, previously Habib Bourgui ba’s (Tunisian statesman, the Founder and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 to November 7, 1987) minister and a military figure, held office from 1987 to 2011, having acceded to the executive office of Habib Bourguiba after a team of medical experts judge Bourguiba unfit to exercise the functions of the office in accordance with Article 57 of the Tunisian constitution. The New York Time. (1987, November 07). World. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from The New York Time: http://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/07/world/a-coup-is-reported-in-tunisia.html?pagewanted=1 He was consistently re-elected in every election, the last being October 25, 2009. The President’s Constitutional Democratic Rally. Or RCD (French abbreviation), had consistently won large majorities in local and parliamentary elections. Since 1987, Tunisia has formally reformed its political system several times, abolishing life presidency and opening up the parliament to opposition parties. Accusations were made against the old regime, accusing the government of being kleptocracy with corrupted members of the Trabelsi family (the family of Ben Ali’s second wife, Leiba) controlling much of the business sector in the country. Daniel Lebegue, head of the French branch of Transparency International said, “Our Tunisian lawyer friends tell us that the Ben Ali and Trabelsi families controlled between 30% and 40% of the Tunisian economy. Aidan, L. (2012, December 05). Tracking down the Ben Ali and trabelsi Fortune. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC News. Ben Ali and His Regime After attending physician to the former president filed an official medical report declaring Habib Bourguiba medically incapacitated and unable to fulfill the duties of the presidency, Ben Ali ascended to the office of President. This was on November 7th, 1987 and done in accordance with the article 57 of Tunisian constitution. The Republic Government of Tunisia. (1991). TUNISIA CONSTITUTION, Chapter 3. Tunis. Two of the names were given to Ben Ali’s rise to the presidency in “the medical coup d’état” and the “Jasmine Revolution.” Ben Ali promised a gradual transition towards democracy, though in his first two presidential polls – in 1989 and 1994- he was elected unopposed. From 1990 onward, the country’s average rate of growth per capita fluctuated between 3.5 to 7 percent. El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf During Nicolas Sarkozy’s (former French president) visit in 2008, he was made an honorary citizen in Tunis and praised the Ben Ali government for expanding liberties in Tunisia. World News. (April 30, 2008). Sarkozy flayed for claiming rights 'progress' in Tunisia. When multi-party presidential elections were introduced in 1999, they were still one-side affairs, with Ben Ali winning huge majorities. BBC News. (June 20, 2011. Web. December 8, 2012). Profile: Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali.. (BBC News, June 20, 2011. Web. December 8, 2012) After amending the constitution to allow a president to run for three consecutive terms, Ben Ali was re-elected in 1999, 2004, and 2009–each time by implausibly high margins. Ibid Under Ben Ali’ rule, Tunisia saw steady economic growth. It was praised for a progressive stance on women’s rights and for economic reforms. But unemployment among a swelling population of young people remained high, and large sections of the Tunisian interior remained poor. By the dawn of the 21st century, Ben Ali was reckoned as leading one of the most repressive regimes in the world. His regime consistently gained poor ratings from human rights and press freedom agencies. Bourguiba had left a country free of corruption, whereas in the 23 years of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s rule, his family and his wife Leila Trabesi’s family stole at least 2 percent of the country’s growth. The World Bank estimated that Tunisia’s growth rated could be 2 or 3 percent points and higher if corruption and nepotism were removed. Starting in December 2010, Tunisian citizens began mass protesting against unemployment and Ben Ali’s corruption. Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD)- The Constitutional Democratic, also referred to by its French acronym RCD, formerly called Neo Destour then Socialist Destourian Party, was the ruling partly in Tunisia from its formation in 1988 until Tunisian revolution. The party held strong majorities in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Councilors. The RCD won 161 of 214 seats with the remaining 53 seats going to majority parties in the 2009 general election, the last held before the revolution. Lowe, C. a. (2009, October 26). Tunisia President Wins Fifth Term in Office. (A. MacSwan, Editor) Retrieved June 11, 2013, from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/26/us-tunisia-vote-idUSTRE59P03M20091026 These elections were widely seen as fraudulent, and this proved to be a major cause of the Tunisian revolution. Jasmine Revolution- Jasmine revolution is the name given to the revolution which is going on in Tunisia. This is a protest led by the people of Tunisia against the local government led by Ben Ali, the president. This protest broke out mainly because of problems such as high rate of unemployment, food inflation, economic stagflation, and corruption; lack of expression and political freedoms, and poor living conditions. Spencer, R. (2011, January 13). Tunisia riots: Reform or be overthrown, US tells Arab states amid fresh riots. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8258077/Tunisia-riots-Reform-or-be-overthrown-US-tells-Arab-states-amid-fresh-riots.html Protests began in December 2010 when a fruit vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire in the town of Sidi Bouzid to protest high lack of opportunity and the disrespect by the police. BBC News. (2011, May 01). Tunisia Suicide Protestor Mohammed Bouazizi. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12120228 His act served as a catalyst for the revolution. A sudden and explosive wave of street protest ousted the authoritarian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled with an iron hand for 23 years. The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights tallied 66 deaths. The government’s official toll stands at 23, after three and a half weeks clashes. Rifai, R. (2011, January 23). Timeline: Tunisia's Uprising - Tunisia _ Al Jazeera English. Retrieved June 12, 2013, from Aljazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/tunisia/2011/01/201114142223827361.html Major Causes of Revolution Bajpai, A. (2013, January 13). Jasmine Revolution Study Guide. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Historical Security Council: www.glcmun.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Historical-Security-council.pdf‎ Corruption- One of the main causes of anti-government anger is the graft and nepotism practiced by Ben Ali’s family. The members of Trabeshi’s family control a majority of economic assets almost in all sectors in Tunisia such as banks, insurance, distribution, transportation, tourism, and real-property. They did not only hold only in Tunisia, but also in foreign countries such including France, Switzerland, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. Aidan, L. (2012, December 05). Tracking down the Ben Ali and trabelsi Fortune. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC News. Economic Stagnation and unemployment- Unemployment is another key factor that cause the revolution. In the past, according to the government’s estimation, the unemployment rate has risen to 14%. El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf Goods and almost everything such as food has become harder to buy. Many of the unemployed are young college graduates who educate in Tunisia’s public schools and free post-secondary education. They see themselves could not make a living. The low rated of labor violated the unspoken bargain struck between Ben Ali’s authoritarian regime and nation’s people. Shrinking Press Freedom- Tunisia has a long image of restriction on the rights of expression and press. A report from the International Federation of Journalists claims that, from May 2009 to May 2010, the press faced “One of its worst years since independence.” IFJ. (2012, September 13). FAJ Backs Journalists’ Demand for Editorial Freedom in Tunisia. Retrieved June 12, 2013, from Internation Federation of Journalists: http://africa.ifj.org/en/articles/faj-backs-journalists-demand-for-editorial-freedom-in-tunisia Local television channels are under the state ‘state-run television,’ and the Internet is also under the tight of the government. Protest The protest was provoked by the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi on December 17th, 2010. BBC News. (2011, May 01). Tunisia Suicide Protestor Mohammed Bouazizi. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12120228 Because he could not find job, his chariot, in which he sold vegetables and fruits without license, had been confiscated. So he had no other source of income for his family. He burned himself in front of the regional government headquarters after being humiliated by a female municipal official in that day. In response to Bouazizi’s dramatic act, the people starting spontaneously protesting on the streets. The regime’s response to this movement was two weeks of police repressions. Over the weekend, several hundred youths smashed windows, damaged cars and fought with riot police in Sidi Bouzid, about 200 km south-west of the capital, Tunis. Reportedly, hundreds of youths confronted police who used tear gas to try to disperse them. Public Suicide Attempt Sparks Angry Riots in Central Tunisia | The Observers." Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://observers.france24.com/content/20101221-youth-public-suicide-attempt-sparks-angry-riots-sidi-bouzid-tunisia-poverty-bouazizi-immolation>. Many days later, a few men and the graduated committed suicide, because of unemployment and business debt related to government programs. Sadiki, Larbi. "Tunisia: The Battle of Sidi Bouzid - Opinion - Al Jazeera English." Tunisia: The Battle of Sidi Bouzid - Opinion - Al Jazeera English. N.p., 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. On December 24, during the protest, Mohammed Amari was shot and killed by the police officers. Other ten people were injured. A large demonstration was help in Tunis on December 28 at the headquarters of the General Union of Tunisian Workers. Bajpai, A. (2013, January 13). Jasmine Revolution Study Guide. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Historical Security Council: www.glcmun.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Historical-Security-council.pdf‎ The quick spread of the movement in all the cities of the republic was possible due to social media (mainly Facebook) and the internet in general. 20 percent of ten million Tunisians have a Facebook account El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf. In the social media, people were sharing stories photos about the ruling family, for example about their wealth and life style. And within the days, the ideas that defined the movement transform from simple demand such as “Dignity, work, and freedom” to “Ben Ali Out!” The uprising did not, however, have a political figure to rally around as an alternative. (Ian Black, 2010) The chants by the people protesting included verses from the poem titled “The Will of Life,” by Abou El Kassim Chebbi: On 13 January 2011, Ben Ali declared in a speech, that everything would be changed; he would form an Anti-corruption Committee and retire at the end of his mandate in 2014. El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El-May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf After he gave his speech, the international community witnessed that there are inverse opinion among some Tunisian people who accepted to give him a time, but others who did not. The following days, hundred thousands of people went to the street and shouted against the government. That is the first time in the Arab World; a dictator is clearly asked to “Go Away” and was told the “Game Is Over.” Ibid On January 13, 2011 Ben Ali ordered the army chief Rachid Ammar to shoot protesters participating in the protest. According to local media, army chief is making in preparations for the action. Bajpai, A. (2013, January 13). Jasmine Revolution Study Guide. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Historical Security Council: www.glcmun.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Historical-Security-council.pdf‎ During these events, the Tunisian army demonstrated an example of discipline and “republican behavior,” acting within the bounds on constitutional right. The army refused to use force against the demonstrators and even put tanks between demonstrators and police in order to protect people from police forces. On 14 January, it was the army informed the President that he had better to leave. The army chief General Ammar assured the safe of demonstrators, that the army would be the Guarantor of the Revolution. El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El-May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf Ben Ali left his office at 5 p.m. on 14 January without resigning. He was supposed to leave from Tunisia, but his wife refused access to the plane. International Response Arab League told the regions leaders that the recent upheaval in Tunisia was not far from us, and was related to deteriorating economic condition throughout the Arab World. Arab leaders proposed $2 billion program to boost faltering economies. However, those leaders voice their “total rejection” of foreign interference in Arab affairs, especially over the regions Christian minorities. "Arab Leaders Warned of 'revolution' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English." Al Jazeera English. Aljazeera, Jan. 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. European Union leaders expressed their support and recognition to the Tunisian people and their democratic aspirations. They urged all parties to show their restraint and calm in order to avoid further casualties and violence. “In Quotes: Reaction to Tunisian Crisis." BBC News. BBC, Jan. 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. Besides, the United Nations’ Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the political situation is developing fast and every effort must be made by all concerned parties to establish dialogue and resolve problems peacefully to prevent further loss, violence and escalations. Ibid Opinion on Tunisian Domino Effects Tunisia Revolution holds by the public against unemployment and social gap which is caused by repressive regime; has spread to its neighboring countries in Arab World. The facts are that the corruption, political system, and military in Tunisia are somewhat different from its Arab countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Syria, and Morocco El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El-May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf . The ideas that the people in those countries decide to stand against their rulers are the ideas of freedoms and employment. Those peoples do not want the leaders that rule countries for several years who tend to govern through dictatorship and corruption among the families and middle classed. Thus, the revolution in Tunisia plays as the model of other countries that have some similar or identical system in governing to Tunisia. The peoples follow the example of Tunis, sacrifice themselves against the rulers. Recently, the ideas of Jasmine revolution has been spreading to others countries in different continents which what we call Turkish Spring, Parashar, M. (2013, June 17). Turkish Spring. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from The Indian Express: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/turkish-spring/1129861/ Thai Spring, Sattaburuth, A. (2013, June 14). Protest against govt goes online. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/355125/thai-spring-announces-series-of-facebook-rallies etc. Those countries expand their protest through online system and social media. Ibid Personal Opinion on Jasmine Revolution Tunisia is rocked by riot over unemployment and corruption, and is going on through a very terrifying time. With the help of social media and or Internet, the revolution has been spread quickly. That is the key tools for this action and it’s spreading. Right now, because the people are afraid that if the army chief takes action against the people, there is going to be a huge loss of lives. The wave of this revolution has reaches the whole Arab region. All major international organizations have concerned about the use of violence against peacefully protesting people. The scenario has been called upon for an emergency session as the whole region now faces a situation of new found uncertainty. The Jasmine Revolution was quick and clean. Now Tunisia faces an important transition period and counts on its allies and friends for political, economic and logistical support especially Turkey. Turkey is an ambitious country and is also an important trade partner with Tunisia. El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El-May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf. Page 7 Of course, the burden is mostly on the shoulders of Tunisian themselves. Tunisians have no rights to fail the transition to democracy and will hopefully remember the martyrs, starting with Bouazizi, as they shape a new future for the country. Bibliography (n.d.). Aidan, L. (2012, December 05). Tracking down the Ben Ali and trabelsi Fortune. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC News. Assaad, R. (2011, January 24). How will Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution Affect the Arab World? Retrieved June 09, 2013, from Brookings: http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2011/01/24-tunisia-assaad Associated Press In Geneva. (May 03, 2011). Switzerland Identifies $1bn worth of Dictators' Assets. (p. The Guardian News and Media). Geneva: Associated Press . Bajpai, A. (2013, January 13). Jasmine Revolution Study Guide. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Historical Security Council: www.glcmun.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Historical-Security-council.pdf‎ BBC News. (2011, May 01). Tunisia Suicide Protestor Mohammed Bouazizi. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12120228 BBC News. (June 20, 2011. Web. December 8, 2012). Profile: Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali. CIA. (2013, June 10). The World FactBook. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html El-May, M. (n.d.). The Jasmine Revolution. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from Turkish Policy: http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/Mahmoud%20El-May%20The%20Jasmine%20Revolution.pdf Ian Black. (2010, July 13). World news, Tunisia. (M. East, Editor) Retrieved June 10, 2013, from The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/13/amnesty-criticises-tunisia-human-rights IFJ. (2012, September 13). FAJ Backs Journalists’ Demand for Editorial Freedom in Tunisia. Retrieved June 12, 2013, from Internation Federation of Journalists: http://africa.ifj.org/en/articles/faj-backs-journalists-demand-for-editorial-freedom-in-tunisia Lowe, C. a. (2009, October 26). Tunisia President Wins Fifth Term in Office. (A. MacSwan, Editor) Retrieved June 11, 2013, from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/26/us-tunisia-vote-idUSTRE59P03M20091026 Parashar, M. (2013, June 17). Turkish Spring. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from The Indian Express: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/turkish-spring/1129861/ Rifai, R. (2011, January 23). Timeline: Tunisia's Uprising - Tunisia _ Al Jazeera English. Retrieved June 12, 2013, from Aljazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/tunisia/2011/01/201114142223827361.html Sattaburuth, A. (2013, June 14). Protest against govt goes online. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/355125/thai-spring-announces-series-of-facebook-rallies Spencer, R. (2011, January 13). Tunisia riots: Reform or be overthrown, US tells Arab states amid fresh riots. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8258077/Tunisia-riots-Reform-or-be-overthrown-US-tells-Arab-states-amid-fresh-riots.html The New York Time. (1987, November 07). World. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from The New York Time: http://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/07/world/a-coup-is-reported-in-tunisia.html?pagewanted=1 The Republic Government of Tunisia. (1991). TUNISIA CONSTITUTION, Chapter 3. Tunis. World News. (April 30, 2008). Sarkozy flayed for claiming rights 'progress' in Tunisia. Samnang Heng Tunisia Jasmine Revolution IR- 12040301 Lecturer: Sok Udom Deth Samnang Heng Jasmine Revolution IR- 12040301 Samnang Heng Tunisia Jasmine Revolution IR- 12040301 Samnang Heng Tunisia Jasmine Revolution IR- 12040301 Page | ? Page | 12