Article by Ahmed Daoud I was born in 1987 in Tunisia, I had a few months when Ben Ali took power, now I have 23 years. And until very recently he was still there in its place. In its place in history "democratic" a Tunisia that has known only two presidents, two father-master: Ben Ali and indeed, before him, for 30 years, Habib Bourguiba. A Republic, which calls itself democratic, and which historically has had only two presidents, suggests the level of real and genuine democracy and freedom there.
Ben Ali's regime, was one of the most repressive, violent, dictatorial and totalitarian in recent decades, in Tunisia there was no freedom of press, freedom of opinion, political opponents were arrested, tortured, intimidated and / or killed. The opposition parties are recognized and legal, made a false opposition, even legitimize the regime of Ben Ali. Moreover, the scheme was distinguished by one of the highest levels of cronyism, corruption and malfeasance. The elections were a farce, a kind of plebiscite in 1989 Ben Ali got 99.3% in 1994 to 99.9% in 1999 to 99.5%, 94.5% in 2004 and 2009, 89, 62%.
Not to mention the social status of the Tunisian population, and unemployment affects the rate of 28%, despite official figures speak of 14%, 75% of the unemployed are young people under 30 years. In inland areas, poverty and misery were and remain very high. The government has invested in coastal areas and tourism and in the capital, but has strongly neglected rural areas of central and south of the country. All this makes us understand why the protests in mid-December start right from inland and then radiate in a second time, in urban and developed.
The 26-year-Mohamed Bouaziz young graduate without a job, trying to survive doing the selling fruit and vegetables, but the police seized the cargo and the boy feels he can do no more: buy a can of gasoline and sets himself on fire. From there he will begin a series of protests that led to the escape of the despot Ben Ali. It 'obvious that the hand Bouaziz, was the spark, the straw that broke a vase full of discontent, despair, misery, hunger and quest for freedom and democracy.
Another very important issue, but little noted by the media, is the condition of exploitation to which workers are subjected Tunisians, mainly by companies foreign (mostly Italian, French and German). In Tunisia, there is no legislation and a culture of rights of workers. They are hired as low-cost, sometimes even in black and with no employment protection. It 's normal in fact, that the first to be concerned about the possible consequences of the protests, it is the foreign companies in Tunisia are very influential in terms of capital investment.
It 's interesting to note that the protests are lots of social demands and economic, that is, the demand for lower food prices, rising wages, the demand for work, and how they have subsequently taken a connotation politics, that is demand for freedom, democracy and especially the expulsion of Ben Ali and his regime.
E 'is also clear that if Ben Ali has fled the dictatorial system, corrupt, crony and mafia that he "restored" (after the previous dictatorship Bourguiba) is still in place. Therefore, we need more of a second phase, and a new wave that will sweep away the system and allowing for real workers, students, in fact privileged and exploited to the classes to be protagonists of their own destiny. All this will only happen in a key international, in which the claims of democracy, freedom to join the social and economic, of all workers exploited. I say this, especially in the face of those who say that revolutions are a utopia, the riots that lead nowhere, and so on. By contrast, Tunisia has shown that only through struggle with social conflicts, with the class struggle that dominated classes who are able to free themselves from being enslaved by them forever.
playing, it is mainly a note on the role of the European powers and the world. Italy, France, the United States have supported Ben Ali, and support all the worst dictatorships in Africa and worldwide. The economic, geopolitical and are superior to any right any democracy and freedom. Fulvio Martini, head of the Earthquakes in 1987, said that the coup of Ben Ali, has been supported, supported and directed by the Italian Government, together with that of Algeria.
In the late 70s and mid 80s, in Tunisia, there was a serious economic and social crisis, with many protests in the country, the fear was that the Islamists took power in a situation of chaos and instability, because now the old and the failure of President Bourguiba. Then, Ben Ali was identified as the right person to restore stability and balance. Stability and balance in terms imperialist means to safeguard the economic interests in that area. You need to know in fact, that for Tunisia passed a major gas pipeline, and if the power had gone into the hands of Islamists would was hard for Westerners to maintain control and profits in the area. Moreover, one month after the rise to power of Ben Ali, President of the Socialist Franco Reviglio Eni, accompanied by Craxi, went to Tunisia to conclude an important industrial agreement. The Italian governments have always supported Ben Ali, both center-right that those left of center. I still remember today, the kisses and hugs that Prodi was trading with the Tunisian dictator. Not to mention, Stefania Craxi, Minister Frattini, Berlusconi, craxiani all convinced, and all ardent supporters of the regime of Ben Ali.
What's most striking is the blatant hypocrisy with which these governments after passing and legitimized Ben Ali, stand apart from the arrangement and self-proclaimed supporters of the Tunisian people and their struggle for democracy and for freedom. But where they were, until the day before? Where were they when Ben Ali's police torture, killings and arrested political opponents? Where were they when the clan Ben Ali / Trabelsi loot the resources of the entire country? Where were they when the corruption and cronyism in Tunisia, touched abnormal levels?
And then there is (as I like to call it a somewhat 'special) the theorem Frattini: The first thing that has bothered to tell the Foreign Minister, when there were riots and protests - in the country North Africa - is that they do not translate into a rise Islamic fundamentalism. It reminds me so much the attitude of the United States and many world personalities, who in order to avoid "Communist," were willing to defend the worst criminals and fascist dictatorships.
conclude with a note on my personal experience: I have been hindered by the Tunisian government in my application for Italian citizenship, for my ideas contrary to the regime. I smile at the fact that not now, but in 2005 spoke of the need for awareness of the need to fight and protest against this regime. My fellow told me it was easy to talk to me: "you live in Italy, you have the freedom here is completely different." They were right, but I tried to make him understand that if they had not rebelled, things would never change, would remain always the subjects. Fortunately, some of those who looked at me like crazy and that I criticized, recently told me that he took to the streets and that he realized the need to do something. Fortunately, things change
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