Tunisian Society of Clinical Sexology condemns MP's remarks on sexual violence
via Business News3 min read
The Tunisian Society of Clinical Sexology STSC has strongly condemned statements made by MP Tarak Mahdi during a parliamentary session on April 13, 2026, calling them inappropriate and a dangerous trivialization of sexual violence. In a statement released on April 14, 2026, the STSC expressed its "strong indignation" over remarks that discussed sexual violence "in a light tone," arguing that they undermine the seriousness of rape as a crime and the dignity of victims. Mahdi's comments were made in response to Interior Minister Khaled Nouri's address regarding the management of sub-Saharan migrants, where the minister mentioned criticisms of his department, including accusations of violence and rape of African women by security agents. Mahdi stated, "These people must leave at all costs. All red lines have been crossed," adding, "That an African woman be raped, that cannot happen. In Tunisia, we have beauty. We lack nothing. We have everything." The STSC emphasized that such remarks contribute to the trivialization of rape, a serious crime affecting the physical and psychological integrity of victims, while also conveying "sexist and racist stereotypes, contrary to the fundamental principles of dignity, equality, and respect for human rights." The organization called for an unequivocal condemnation of all forms of sexual violence and increased responsibility in public discourse. Thabet El Abed, MP and President of the Committee on Rights and Freedoms, also condemned Mahdi's st
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
The Tunisian Human Rights League LTDH on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, condemned the rise of hate speech and calls for violence on social media, following the circulation of a video containing death threats targeting the Secretary General of the Workers' Party, Hamma Hammami, and other political figures including Mohamed Abbou, Ezzedine Hazgui, Samir Dilou, and Rached Ghannouchi. The organization called on the public prosecutor to immediately open a criminal investigation and protect those targeted. The LTDH expressed deep concern over the continuous escalation of hate speech and incitement to violence in the digital space, attributing it to a decline in tolerance, an increase in exclusionary and stigmatizing discourse, and persistent impunity for acts punishable by law. The Workers' Party had previously denounced the video as an explicit call for the assassination of its Secretary General, criticizing authorities for not removing the publication or prosecuting its alleged author. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a leader of La France insoumise and a candidate for the 2027 French presidential election, also expressed support for Hamma Hammami on X, urging Tunisian authorities to ensure his protection and prosecute those responsible for the threats. The LTDH emphasized that freedom of expression does not justify incitement to violence, calls for murder, or the spread of hate speech, considering these serious criminal offenses. The organization also noted the public prosecutor's "passive attitu
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France insoumise and a candidate for the 2027 French presidential election, has expressed support for Hamma Hammami, Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, stating that Hammami is facing death threats and harassment. Mélenchon urged Tunisian authorities to ensure Hammami's protection and prosecute those responsible. This intervention follows a statement from the Workers' Party on July 14, 2026, which reported that a video circulating on social media explicitly called for Hammami's assassination. The party attributes this video to an internet user identified as a supporter of President Kaïs Saïed, linking it to Hammami's critical stance against the current government. The Workers' Party also criticized the authorities for not removing the video or prosecuting its alleged author. The left-wing party believes this incident is part of a growing climate of hate speech and violence, accusing the government of fostering hostility towards its opponents. The party stated that these threats against Hammami are an extension of verbal attacks and accusations directed at political figures, journalists, activists, and trade unionists critical of the government. The Workers' Party affirmed its commitment to its political engagement despite these intimidations and called on Tunisians to oppose "criminal calls" targeting opposition figures, reiterating its resolve to defend its members and its Secretary-General.
The Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas Steg attributes recent power cuts across the country to an exceptional heatwave, high electricity demand, and technical incidents. Fayçal Trifa, CEO of Steg, explained that record demand, particularly from air conditioning use between 1 PM and 5 PM, is a major factor. He also cited a technical incident at an energy facility in Sidi Okba, eastern Algeria, which reduced electricity supply to Tunisia. Trifa noted that high temperatures not only increase consumption but also affect equipment performance, causing disruptions in several countries. He urged citizens to limit electricity consumption during peak hours to help stabilize the grid. Elyes Ben Ammar, a member of the General Federation of Electricity and Gas under the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT, distinguished between unforeseen technical failures and periodic load shedding. Both officials emphasized that load shedding is a necessary measure to prevent a complete grid collapse, or "black-out," which would be far more challenging to manage, citing Spain's 2025 experience. While acknowledging load shedding as a preventive measure used globally during consumption peaks, Ben Ammar stressed it should be exceptional. He argued that repeated load shedding indicates insufficient reinforcement of production capacities and infrastructure to meet increasing demand. Ben Ammar also highlighted Steg's difficult period, urging authorities to prioritize and support the company. He noted tha