Tunisia’s former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdul Salam has known as on Arab youth to hold ahead the torch of freedom and dignity.
His name got here Friday throughout an unique interview with Daily Sabah on the a hundredth day for the reason that arrest of the previous Tunisian House of Representatives chief Rached Ghannouchi by the Tunisian authorities.
To mark the day, a bunch of round 800 distinguished public figures from across the Arab and Muslim world, together with politicians, civil society leaders, parliamentarians, lecturers, students and thinkers, from 60 nations, signed a petition demanding the discharge of Ghannouchi and all Tunisian political prisoners.
According to the petition, Tunisia has been experiencing a decline in its democratic system of governance and establishments that defend rights and freedoms. It claims that the present chief has seized all powers and is exacerbating a number of crises that would have extreme penalties past the nation’s borders. This is alarming given the numerous progress made up to now decade.
Abdul Salam mentioned with Daily Sabah the importance of the petition in addition to the state of democracy within the Arab world, particularly in Tunisia.
“This petition indicates the intellectual and political stature enjoyed by Ghannouchi, not only in Tunisia but in the entire Islamic world. It reflects the level of solidarity with Ghannouchi and the support for the democratic experiment undermined by the two coups. It also serves as evidence that the Arab Spring has supporters and sympathizers throughout the Islamic world,” he mentioned.
He said that their present goal by the petition is to extend strain on the coup regime to launch Ghannouchi and different political prisoners. This is along with the continuing political battle spearheaded by the resistance forces in opposition to the coup, in addition to the efforts of human rights organizations and civil society establishments in Tunisia.
When requested in the event that they anticipate a constructive response or response from the Tunisian authorities, former minister Abdul Salam mentioned they don’t count on any response from a ruling system that doesn’t hearken to anybody and continues to suppress its opponents in each route.
“However, we consider these petitions and advocacy statements as part of our battle against the coup and the coup-makers,” he added.
Abdul Salam mentioned the general public in Tunisia is slowly coming to the conclusion that the present chief Kais Saied is providing them false hopes by arresting Ghannouchi.
“They understand that this action does not address their ongoing struggles with daily problems and access to basic necessities like food. As a result, there is a growing level of support and solidarity for Sheikh Ghannouchi and the other detained political leaders. Independent voices are also discussing this issue.”
“What Tunisia is experiencing today is a consequence of the aftermath and results of the Arab Spring that originated from its soil,” he mentioned.
Concerning the present state of Tunisian democracy and whether or not the spirit of the Arab Spring has irreversibly light, Abdul Salam added: “Today, Tunisia is a mix of an individualistic and backward dictatorship that Said wants to impose. However, there are still minds and hearts that believe in democracy and freedom, and the legacy of the revolution is still alive and the resistance is active against this ruthless coup.”
In that spirit, the previous Tunisian minister known as on Arab youth to proceed holding on to the flame of freedom and dignity and never let setbacks and oppression discourage them from searching for change.
“The current circumstances do not have the elements of continuity, and change is inevitably coming,” he added.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
