Unusual Gesture on the Tunisian Opposition
Mahmoud Al Rimawi Al-Hayat 2004/11/6
Amongst the news that haven't obtained sufficient attention due to the intense events witnessed by our region, there are news about the Tunisian authorities releasing 80 short-term Islamist prisoners amongst whom are a number of members from the banned Nahda Party, in addition to some leaders of this movement.
The importance of such developments primarily lies in its timing since it is no secret that the latest elections in Tunis were accompanied by an internal campaign against the atmosphere that dominated these elections and allowed the ruling party The Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) to maintain its absolute majority in the Tunisian parliament (80%). Despite the fact that the opposition did not question the elections' integrity escorted by Arab and international observers, nevertheless the comments focused on the ruling party's domination over the official media in addition to the various governmental bureaus and thus determining the results of the elections in advance for the advantage of the ruling party.
Amidst all this the presidential decision to pardon political detainees came as an initiative to reduce the tension amongst the opposition and some non-political social groups as a new proof of good will in fortifying the democratic atmosphere and pardoning ambiance, which urged the Nahda movement abroad to express gratitude to the Tunisian authorities for such a move.
The Islamist Nahda group was banned since the late 80s after the authorities released a number of its detained leaders including Rashid Al Gannouchi the movement's top leader who was sentenced to death during the term of the late president Habib Bourguiba, and received his pardon after President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali became head of government in November 7,1987. The authorities then announced discovering that the movement possessed weapons and later stated that it had executed a number of operations against the Tunisian interests. Therefore, the movement was banned along with the establishment of any political parties based on religious principles.
Also worth mentioning, some type of suppression was imposed since then around the numbers of those belonging to this banned movement for security purposes. Nevertheless, lately the authorities have resorted to releasing some of this movement's members within the pardon framework but without referring to their political standing.
Nevertheless, the matter has clearly been referred to in a conspicuous step reflecting an unconcealed political implication hence leading to an alternate side that verifies the importance of such a symbolic step.
Forgiving a hostile and violent political side includes a message to the remaining party and political visions. The conclusion of this message is that the austerity, which the authorities have been formerly accused of, is now under reviewing. Furthermore, a lesson from the experience in the past is being learnt where eventually there is no alternative other than respecting multiplicity in both words and actions. The fourth and last term due to the age factor of President Ben Ali will be implemented with a greater amount of pardon than the one, which his era began with, hoping for peaceful governmental changes by excusing the former president Bourguiba from his duties due to his health state and replacing him with the current PM and president.
This is what can be concluded from such a significant symbolic step, which by no doubt has been comfortably received by the Tunisian public. Moreover, why wouldn't it be… when the most austere movement such as the Nahda, has rendered its relief for such steps.
What remains now is the continuity of such approach in a precise, shrewd and steady manner since it is important for the Constitutional Democratic Rally party to aim at managing a connected dialogue beginning with the parties represented in the parliament, and ends with the remaining legislative parties and political constituents. The purpose is to develop a joint vision for the coming phase and for the sake of strengthening the citizen's trust in the existence of participation in the political life.
A faint indication in the direction has appeared at the latest conference of the Constitutional Democratic Rally party in the summer of last year, which was given the title ''Congress of Ambition." The hope is to embark on such a path after Tunis accomplished long political stability and economical progress leaving the activation of the political life as the only remaining circle that needs continuity. This comes specifically amidst the authorities being devoted to the principle of multiplicity and political reformation, which is a matter that Tunis insisted upon at the latest Arab summit hosted in the capital Tunis.
The conditions are well prepared for such a new commencement and only lack the start signal or perhaps the signal to resume and complete what president Ben Ali began at the outset of his era.
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