SHOUTING “no to forgiveness” may sound awfully cruel. But on May 13th thousands of Tunisians marched through Tunis, the capital, waving banners with that slogan. They were protesting an “economic reconciliation” bill that would give amnesty to businessmen and officials accused of graft during the rule of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the former president. The staggering corruption of his regime was one of the sparks of a revolution that forced Mr Ben Ali from office six years ago and ignited the Arab spring.
The new protesters say they are defending the spirit of the revolution. But Tunisia’s leaders say the bill is needed to spur investment in an ailing economy. It would let businessmen and bribe-trousering officials secretly declare their ill-gotten gains and repay them to the state. It is hoped that businessmen who do not fear arrest would start investing. Officials, meanwhile, are stalling...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/2pUqjNS
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