Introduction

Abstract

In December 2010, a desperate young Tunisian man set himself on fire in front of the municipality of Sidi Bouzid. This act, which was widely understood as an act of protest against the regime, inspired Tunisians from all walks of life to take to the streets and claim their rights as encapsulated in the slogan “work, freedom and dignity”. It signified the key driver in mobilising the public against the Ben Ali regime: The systematic denial of ‘dignity’. In addition to improved and equitable employment opportunities, better living conditions and an end to corruption, protesters called for greater political freedoms and for an end to impunity for human rights abuse (cf. e.g. Harders 2011, p. 13). The wave of public protests across the country culminated in the surprise departure of president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali on January 14th, 2011.