While the UGTT often prides itself on having played a prominent role in the unfolding of the mass protests which eventually led to the ouster of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on January 14 2011, the picture is more blurred when it comes to what links the union‘s executive leadership actually entertained
Arab Awakening extends a warm welcome from openDemocracy to our columnists who will be writing This week's window on the Middle East. Each week, ten columnists based across the region will take up the challenge, 'You tell us', highlighting voices, views and perspectives as they reflect what is hap
What a terrible coincidence. On the third of February 2012 on the first ever commemoration of the 1982 Hama massacre, another atrocity took place in Homs's Al Khaldyia neighbourhood, but this time, with photographs and video footage.
Is every uprising against dictatorship a civil war? If that is the case then it is the case in Egypt, in Yemen, in Bahrain. Are we going to dismiss all these revolutions, because some of the people support the regimes? Or is it just Syria that is doomed?
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A peaceful protest in Tunis turned violent as police attacked marchers. David Charles, a Briton, who was visiting Tunisia's capital witnessed the chaotic scene as the small group of non-violent protesters were set upon with gas canisters and batons.
Criticizing the uprising, in itself, is not immoral. But what is immoral, is to criticize the uprising without declaring their solidarity with the Syrian people.
Interestingly, the American Congress has repeatedly demanded the cessation of military funds to Egypt, especially after the Egyptian authorities raided and shut down their offices housing American civil society organisations.
While most of the world attention has been focused elsewhere, the early days of 2012 have seen a series of strikes and protests in Algeria. Is this the long awaited Algerian awakening?
A chance to share stories that underscore the rich Palestinian history of popular resistance and sumud (steadfastness).
Freedom of speech is under contention in Tunisia as never before.
