Urgent Appeal to the People of Tunisia

Urgent Appeal to the People of Tunisia

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” ~ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 19th Article. December 10, 1948.

On 13th January, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali delivered a message to the Tunisian people. He has promised the end of censorship, more affordable basic necessities, and a conclusion to his presidency in 2014. This has been met by some Tunisians with happiness and relief, and many believe this is truly a victory.

We ask you to be cautious and monitor these new events carefully.

Only hours after this speech, a democratic debate on Tunisie7 was broadcast. This kind of TV programme usually take days or even weeks to produce. The situation raises several questions about the integrity of the speech. Did the producers of this programme know about this speech beforehand, maybe even before the riots started? Were they prepared for Ben Ali’s promises if riots and protest would ever occur? Is the entire “democratic debate” just a false flag to make you believe you are free, and let down your guard during the fight?

According to several reports, gunfire was still being heard throughout the country hours after the speech, which raises some new questions. Was this just a promise to make you believe you are free and stop fighting? Have policemen chosen to rebel against Ben Ali? Or was it maybe just a communication problem?

In the speech, it was announced that Internet censorship would be lifted. Then why are proxy sites like Samair.ru (and supposedly also pornographic sites) still being blocked? Is this just an illusion of freedom, making you believe you can visit everything, to make you believe you are free and to stop you fighting? Did someone simply forget to remove them from the list? Did someone at ATI rebel and decide you should still not be able to visit them? Was all this just a coincidence? Was it just an accident?

These questions will undoubtedly be answered soon. In the meantime, don’t assume the claims of Ben Ali being either true or false. His words can take many meanings. He says that committees will be setup. While this is great news, we ask: When? Also, when will they report their conclusions? There are examples from other countries where so-called “committees of investigation” were set up just to stiffle comment. These “committees” typically take years to conclude then report absolutely nothing.
Is that what you are fighting for? Did people give up their lives for a promise?

We ask you to keep fighting for your rights – not neccessarily by going out on the streets and fighting police or military – but by staying aware about your current situation and questioning all rumours and promises. Information can be a much more powerful weapon than anything else. A battle has been won, but the war itself is still ongoing and ultimately this will not be over until Ben Ali steps down and he, or his successor, fulfills all promises made, so Tunisia can truly be free. A Tunisia for and by the people, not the leader.

Stand up and fight for your rights. No one else will do it for you.
Is it not better to be cautious for a little while longer until promises are fulfilled, rather than leaving your guard down at this moment? Ask yourself: “What if this is a ploy to break down protests, and find out who are behind them?”.
Tunisians, whether the speech is true or false, you have very difficult times ahead of you. You have suffered for 23 years without a voice and without real politics in your country. If Ben Ali and his party disapear tomorrow, who will take over? Now is the time to prepare for the future.

Anonymous has seen the enourmous capacity of tunisian people. It is time to “Dare to be Wise”. Dare to use your own knowledge, and the answers for the future will raise naturally. Let others know or think for you, and you will find another tiranny. We have faith in you, Tunisia, don’t let yourselves down.

Vive la Tunisie Libre.
Vive la Liberté.