 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Arabic. (July 2022)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
| 2021 Tunisian protests | |
|---|---|
| Part of2018–2022 Arab protests | |
| Date | 15 January 2021 –25 July 2021 (6 months, 1 week and 3 days) |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Economic crisis, unemployment, corruption, police brutality, government mishandling of theCOVID-19 pandemic |
| Methods | Rioting, looting, arson, robbery, assault |
| Resulted in | Shops, vehicles destroyed, banks looted,2021 Tunisian self-coup |
| Reported injuries | |
| Death | 1[2] |
| Arrested | 1000+ |
The2021 Tunisian protests were a series of protests that started on 15 January2021. Thousand of people rioted in cities and towns acrossTunisia, which sawlooting andarson as well as mass deployment of police andarmy in several cities and the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators.
The protests started in the town ofSiliana,northwestern Tunisia, following the municipal police aggression of a shepherd.[3]
Young people clashed with police for the fifth straight night on 19 January. In response, Prime MinisterHichem Mechichi appealed to the protesters on national television, stating “Your voice is heard, and your anger is legitimate, and it is my role and the role of the government to work to realize your demands and to make the dream of Tunisia to become true.”[4]
On 21 January, Tunisia reported 103COVID-19–related deaths, the highest figure to date in the country, among the highest rates inAfrica. On 23 January, the government extended its health curfew and banned demonstrations. Travel between regions was banned, bars and restaurants were closed except for take-out food, and university classes were transferred online.[5]
