A hooded Tunisian police officer stands guard as international security officials visit the scene of a terrorist attack in Sousse, Tunisia. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
A hooded Tunisian police officer stands guard as international security officials visit the scene of a terrorist attack in Sousse, Tunisia. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Tunisia must tread carefully



By any measure, Tunisia has had an extraordinary few years. The optimism of the months after long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled at the start of the Arab Spring has given way to years of political difficulties and successes.

Most recently, Tunisia has been on the frontlines of terrorist violence, with two shocking attacks targeting tourism within four months of each other. With tourism such an important part of the economy, and with the economy still fragile after the revolution, it is unsurprising that the government has sought a forceful response, this week bringing in a new anti-terror law.

Some parts of the law appear, in the current climate, to be sensible. Making public support for terrorism an offence and using phone-tapping against suspects are important tools in the fight against ISIL.

Other elements could be concerning – detention of suspects for 15 days without access to a lawyer is of great concern. Other countries, for example the UK, have similar periods for terrorism suspects, and there has been fierce debate about the length of time suspects can be held.

As always, though, it is the way the law is used that is worrying rights activists. Advocacy groups who claim the definition of terrorism is too broad are tapping into a broader sentiment and fear about the too-recent regime of Ben Ali. All politics occurs within a local context, and Tunisians will naturally be concerned about laws that could be used in a way that the Ben Ali regime too often did – to stifle legitimate protest, to silence opposition and to jail those it disliked.

Tunisia’s government must, therefore, be careful that the law is applied evenly and carefully. Tunisia’s parliament passed the law by an overwhelming majority, so there is clear consensus that it is both needed and fit for purpose. But when it comes to its application, judges must ensure that it is used only against those it is intended to target, and not used for political purposes. Memories of the regime of Ben Ali have not yet faded.

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

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BLACKBERRY
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The results of the first round are as follows:

Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent

Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent

Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent

Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent

Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

RESULTS

Welterweight

Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)

(Unanimous points decision)

Catchweight 75kg

Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)

(Second round knockout)

Flyweight (female)

Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)

(RSC in third round)

Featherweight

Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki

(Disqualification)

Lightweight

Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)

(Unanimous points)

Featherweight

Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)

(TKO first round)

Catchweight 69kg

Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)

(First round submission by foot-lock)

Catchweight 71kg

Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

(TKO round 1).

Featherweight title (5 rounds)

Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

(TKO round 1).

Lightweight title (5 rounds)

Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)

(RSC round 2).

While you're here
MATCH INFO

Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')

Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')