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Death Penalty in Tunisia
On the Way to Class Justice
The death penalty has not been carried out in Tunisia since the early 1990s. But there are still prisoners on death row to this day. In their book "The Siliana Syndrome", authors spotlight an issue that still represents a major social taboo. By Sarah Mersch
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New Media and Democratization in the Arab World
No Pedestal for Facebook and Twitter
Were the revolutions in the Arabic world started by social networks? Tunisian publicist Amel Grami is sceptical, and warns against the extremist potential of the new media
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Social Fabric and Solidarity in the Arab World
The Indifference of the Arab Middle Class
The upheaval in the Arab world has radically changed the fabric of society there. The Arab Spring has been followed by a shift in affinities towards people's kinship and religion. Moreover, the recent civil war in Syria has shown that Arab solidarity is a myth. An essay by Sami Mahroum
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Interview with Mali Expert Marie Rodet
''The Whole Region Is Potentially Explosive''
According to West Africa expert Marie Rodet, although the conflict in Mali has not yet been fully resolved, the situation there has improved, and there are other countries in the region that are a greater cause for concern. Jonas Berninger spoke to her about the reasons for the French intervention and Mali's future
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Tunisia
Religion's Political Role Expands
Many in Tunisia fear that religious radicals are gaining too much influence over the country's political discourse. The governing Ennahda party, however, has to find a way to appeal to both secularists and Islamists. Katharina Pfannkuch reports from Tunis
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Aftermath of Political Assassination in Tunis
Government Opponents Are Put to the Test
Following the assassination of Mohamed Brahmi, the streets of Tunisia are filled with protesters. The political opposition and civil society are facing their greatest challenge since the revolution. Katharina Pfannkuch reports from Tunis
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Libya's Tawergha People Barred from Return
Collective Punishment
Ever since August 2011 armed groups from Misrata have been preventing about 35,000 Tawerghans from returning to their homes. They accuse Tawerghans of fighting with pro-Gaddafi forces during the 2011 conflict and committing war crimes in Misrata. A field report by Valerie Stocker
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The Status of Western Sahara
A Forgotten Conflict
The conflict over the status of Western Sahara has been simmering for four decades between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Sahrawi independence movement Frente Polisario. Efforts to find a solution to the deadlock appear to be paralysed – a fact partly due to a lack of international interest. By Annett Hellwig
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Egypt after the Coup
Two Sides of the Same Coin
The renowned Lebanese journalist and writer Hazem Saghieh believes that the events of recent weeks in Egypt have shown that Arab societies are only capable of bringing forth military power and political Islam after all, and that the champions of democracy, on the other hand, are not a force to be taken seriously when the chips are down
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Morocco's Islamist Justice and Development Party
A Delicate Balancing Act
Morocco's Islamist Party of Justice and Development shot to power for the first time after triumphing in parliamentary polls held in 2011. But despite rising popular support and stalled programs of reform, Morocco's Justice and Development Party still has to toe the palace line. By Mohammed Masbah
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Interview with Amel Grami
''The Arab Revolutions Have Triggered A Male Identity Crisis''
The Arab revolutions are calling traditional gender roles into question. In this interview with Martina Sabra, Tunisian intellectual Amel Grami tells how strong women in Tunisia are resisting the Islamisation efforts of both the ruling Ennahda Party and the Salafists
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Tunisia's Economic Crisis
The Decline of the Middle Class
More than two years have passed since the start of the so-called "Arab Spring" in Tunisia. What began as a fight for social justice became an ideological tug-of-war between Islamists and secular forces. But while the elite engage in theoretical debate, the economic crisis deepens. Katharina Pfannkuch reports