1.

History of the protests

a. The protests began on December 17, 2010 due to frustration over unemployment, police
brutality, and lack of human rights. The first demonstration was Mohammed Bouazizi setting
himself on fire in front of a local municipal office.
b. Government Response:​ At first, President Ben Ali condemned the protestors use of violence
and warned that the law would be exercised strongly upon them. About a month later, he
announced concessions and that he would not run again in 2014. He also announces a state of
emergency, fired the government promising new legislative election soon, and then attempted
to flee the country while his extended family is arrested. Prime Minister Ghannouchi became
interim president until the the constitutional court made Fouad Mebazaa interim president.
c. Jan 3, 2011​ - A peaceful march at Thala turned violent when police fired tear gas at protesters.
Jan 17, 2011 -​ Prime Minister promised a new coalition government to prevent protests.
Ghannouchi announced many reforms including improving human rights. New government
was soon announced but had many Ben Ali loyalists in key posts.
d. International Responses:​ Dec 30, 2010 ​- France’s Socialist Party condemned the government’s
repression of protesters and called on the French government to speak out. It’s important to
keep in mind that Tunisia won independence from France in 1956.
Jan 15, 2011 - Saudi Arabia announced that it was hosting Ben Ali and his family.
e. International Organizations:​ ​Jan 13, 2011​ - Paris-based International Federation for Human
Rights tallied 66 deaths since the protests began.
Jan 19, 2011​ - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, stated
that the United Nations plans to send a team of human rights officials to Tunisia to look into
the violence taking place and to advise the new coalition government.”
2. Today
a. The legislative authority is held by the Assembly of the People’s Representative; President
(​Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi)​ and prime minister (Youssef Chahed)
b. Essebsi was elected in the first free election in 2014 since the uprising and will most likely only
serve 5 years because that is the limit for a president’s term, although they can serve for 2 terms.
The first election for the Assembly of the Representative of the People was on October 26th,
2014. Elections are planned for later this year.
c. Concerns: ​Growing influence of ultra-conservative Islamists and concern about militant
Islamists who were responsible for 2015 attacks, difficulty finding high paying jobs although
better than pre-revolution.