Citizens Against the Coup begin hunger strike in Tunisia
Citizens Against the Coup initiate a hunger strike with wide participation to protest against the suppression of dissenting voices.
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Citizens Against the Coup decided to engage in a hunger strike to protest what they called the "coup" carried out by Kais Saied.
Yesterday, Thursday, activists within the Citizens Against the Coup Initiative announced a hunger strike to protest "the path of President Kais Saied's coup."
In a video clip that the Initiative published on its official Facebook page, the activists had several demands, including in particular the release of imprisoned parliamentarians, the suspension of military trials, and the release of those arrested on December 18 during the sit-in that the activists carried out on Habib Bourguiba Street.
#Tunisia: "Citizens Against the Coup" announces the beginning of a protest hunger strike, "as an advanced form of democratic struggle in the face of an
— Tunisia Pulse (@PulseTunisia) December 23, 2021
authoritarian regime"
The group is demanding the following:🔽 pic.twitter.com/AWBypDjf1Q
Citizens Against the Coup said in a press statement Monday evening that several national figures decided to engage in a hunger strike to protest what they called the "coup" carried out by Tunisian President Kais Saied.
They also demanded the suspension of the judiciary and the security establishment in the political struggle and to silence opponents of Saied.
#Tunisia Former President Moncef Marzouki announces joining "Citizens Against the Coup" in the hunger strike protest against Saed's coup. pic.twitter.com/4D4jokAnAT
— Tunisia Pulse (@PulseTunisia) December 23, 2021
The activists also demanded abandoning restrictions, preventing protest movements, ensuring freedom in media, and not disrupting access to information and the work of independent national bodies.
Hunger strike in opposition to President Saied
The protesters explained that they resorted to hunger strike to warn the human rights movements nationally and internationally of the danger of what President Saied is doing, noting that he is heading toward implementing his rule with popular slogans, taking advantage of the power of the security establishment to strike his opponents and impose a fait accompli, and closing the door on rights and freedom permanently.
For his part, Moncef Marzouki, who has opposed Kais Saied since he announced the exceptional measures on July 25, said that he joined to protest the judicial ruling against him.
"We announce the beginning of a protest hunger strike, as an advanced form of democratic struggle in the face of an authoritarian regime"
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) December 24, 2021
- Citizens against the Coup movement https://t.co/f3IuWY9JjO
In a video he posted on his official Facebook page, he warned of the danger of Kais Saied's project, which threatens democracy, as he put it.
Former President Moncef Marzouki sentenced to imprisonment
On Wednesday, a Tunisian court in absentia sentenced former President Moncef Marzouki to four years in prison. "The court convicted Marzouki of conspiring against external state security," the Tunisian official news agency said.
A few days ago, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced several decisions to keep the Parliament suspended or frozen until December 17, 2022, and to organize early parliamentary elections in accordance with the electoral law that will be revised.
Saied also rejected accusations that his actions constituted a coup and said that they represented an implementation of the text of the constitution. He said he moved to end long-standing political paralysis and announced that a referendum would be held next year on a new constitution, to be followed by parliamentary elections.
Conspiracies in Tunisia being planned, up to assassination: President
Yesterday, Thursday, Tunisian President Kais Saied warned the people of Tunisia to stay vigilant over the plots being prepared, going as far as assassination, urging them to "take caution over the plots of some traitors who sold their conscience to foreign intelligence."
"Those who sold their conscience to foreign intelligence plan on assassinating several officials," Saied said at a cabinet meeting.
the Tunisian President had disclosed that there was an assassination attempt against him - however, he announced that he would tread the same lawful path, "the path to reform is complicated and hard," he added.
It is noteworthy that during last Friday and Saturday, the security forces prevented dozens of protesters from setting up sit-in tents on Habib Bourguiba Street, at the invitation of the Citizens Against the Coup Initiative, and dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas canisters.
