分类： society

Human rights organizations in Tunisia are demanding justice and systemic reform following the death of a young man who sustained fatal injuries during a police encounter in Kairouan. The incident has ignited public outrage and drawn attention to longstanding issues of police impunity in the North African nation.

Naim Briki, a thirty-year-old motorcycle rider, died on December 12th from severe head trauma and intracranial hemorrhage days after allegedly attempting to evade a police checkpoint on November 22nd. According to family accounts, Briki was violently beaten by multiple officers following a collision with a police vehicle during the pursuit. Photographic evidence released by the family reveals extensive facial injuries and significant swelling.

In a powerful joint statement, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), and several other NGOs condemned what they described as “recurring tragedies linked to systematic police violence.” The organizations highlighted the persistent culture of impunity within law enforcement agencies that has allowed such incidents to continue unchecked.

Independent media outlet Inkyfada reports that at least 31 individuals have died at the hands of police since 2011, when mass protests toppled former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and ignited the Arab Spring movement. Their investigation documents eight demonstration-related deaths, seven fatalities following police chases, and four deaths resulting from excessive force within police stations.

The problem extends beyond fatal encounters. According to Amnesty International, hundreds of complaints have been filed against Tunisian police for human rights violations and torture, with virtually none of the victims receiving fair trials. The organization notes that most investigations into security forces never progress beyond preliminary inquiries.

This climate of impunity has reportedly worsened since President Kais Saied’s July 2021 power grab, which dismantled checks and balances and intensified repression of dissenting voices. Rights defenders now fear a return to the police state tactics that characterized the Ben Ali era.

The announcement of Briki’s death sparked immediate protests in downtown Kairouan, where demonstrators clashed with security forces, threw projectiles, blockaded roads, and burned tires. Local media reported over 21 arrests related to the unrest, though 17 individuals were subsequently released while four remain detained under arrest warrants.

In response to mounting pressure, the public prosecutor’s office announced Monday the opening of a judicial inquiry into Briki’s death. Meanwhile, rights organizations continue to demand transparent investigations, an end to impunity for police violence, and genuine reform within security forces.

In a significant policy shift, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police have declared that chanting the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ or displaying it on placards at protests will now result in arrests. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows the recent antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia that killed 15 people and wounded 40 during Hanukkah celebrations.

Police authorities stated: ‘Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.’ The forces indicated that frontline officers will receive specific briefing on this enhanced approach, which will include utilizing Public Order Act powers to implement protective conditions around London synagogues during services.

The move has received support from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which welcomed it as a ‘necessary intervention’ following their repeated urging. Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously claimed the chant was linked to terrorism, while British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis stated such chants ‘incite hatred and inspire people to engage in hate action,’ connecting them directly to the Bondi Beach attack.

However, pro-Palestine activists and civil society organizations have strongly contested these characterizations. Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, criticized what he called ‘the widespread attempt across the political establishment to use a grotesque and indefensible violent antisemitic massacre as a weapon to further repress those protesting for the rights of Palestinian people.’

Ismail Patel, chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, explained that ‘intifada’ means ‘to shake off the Israeli occupation’ and argued that ‘globalising the intifada is simply a way of expressing global solidarity with efforts to end an illegal Israeli occupation.’ The term originates from the Arabic root ‘nafada,’ meaning ‘to shake off’ or ‘to rise up,’ and has been applied to both peaceful uprisings and armed resistance movements throughout Arab history.

Since the comprehensive overhaul of Beijing’s development blueprint in 2017, the Chinese capital has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis in urban planning and ecological restoration. Official data reveals the demolition of over 238 million square meters of unauthorized constructions and the reclamation of approximately 275 square kilometers of land, marking one of the world’s most ambitious urban renewal initiatives.

The strategic redistribution of urban functions has been central to this transformation. Numerous industrial projects have been systematically relocated to suburban zones or neighboring provinces, while governmental administrative operations have been transferred to the newly established municipal center in Tongzhou District. Concurrently, multiple state-owned enterprises, academic institutions, and medical facilities have established satellite operations in Xiong’an New Area, fostering balanced regional development alongside the capital’s decentralization efforts.

Ecological enhancement has emerged as a cornerstone achievement. Current statistics indicate that more than 92% of Beijing’s residents now reside within 500 meters of accessible green spaces. The municipal landscape boasts an impressive network of 1,136 parks and hosts upwards of 1,100 annual eco-cultural events, fundamentally altering the urban experience. This greening initiative represents a paradigm shift from purely economic development toward sustainable urban living, creating what planners describe as ‘a city within nature’ rather than nature within the city.

The coordinated development approach has simultaneously addressed urban overcrowding while promoting economic integration across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This seven-year transformation demonstrates how strategic planning can reshape megacities to prioritize livability, environmental sustainability, and balanced economic growth, offering potential lessons for urban centers worldwide grappling with similar challenges of density and development.

In a remarkable demonstration that generosity transcends financial status, Indian expatriate Sheikh Shakil has received presidential recognition for his exceptional charitable contributions to the UAE’s healthcare initiatives. The cable engineer from Mumbai, residing in Al Ain for over two decades, was personally honored by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his sustained support of the Life Endowment campaign.

Despite his modest income as a Taqa Transmission employee, Shakil made an impressive 42 separate donations to the healthcare initiative without establishing predetermined financial targets. His philanthropic philosophy centers on consistent, heartfelt giving within one’s means rather than substantial monetary contributions. ‘Financial wealth isn’t prerequisite for generosity,’ Shakil emphasized. ‘What truly matters is possessing a compassionate heart and genuine intention to assist others.’

The Life Endowment campaign, launched in May 2025 as part of the broader Dh1 billion Healthcare Endowment established in 2024, works to create sustainable healthcare solutions and cover treatment costs for vulnerable patients with chronic illnesses. Shakil’s involvement began after learning about the program’s mission, leading to regular contributions made both personally and on behalf of his family.

The expatriate attributes his charitable mindset to childhood lessons instilled by his parents regarding kindness, empathy, and community support. He now consciously models these values for his own children, demonstrating through action that even modest contributions can create meaningful impact. His meeting with the UAE President represented an profoundly moving experience that reinforced his belief in leadership characterized by service, empathy, and genuine care for citizens and residents alike.

Shakil described the recognition ceremony as particularly powerful for showcasing how individuals from diverse backgrounds united in support of communal welfare, perfectly reflecting the UAE’s core values of compassion and social solidarity. He hopes his story will inspire others to contribute according to their capabilities, reaffirming that consistent small-scale generosity collectively generates substantial social benefit.

In an extraordinary display of winter artistry, Harbin—the capital of China’s Heilongjiang province—has unveiled a monumental snow sculpture measuring 19 meters in height. The massive snowman, now standing proudly on the banks of the Songhua River, was completed on Tuesday after an intensive 11-day construction period.

The project brought together 64 highly skilled sculptors and over 100 support workers who collaboratively transformed 3,500 cubic meters of snow into this seasonal marvel. The finished sculpture features traditional winter attire including a vibrant red hat and matching scarf, with a cheerful expression designed to welcome both visitors and local residents.

This year’s construction process incorporated modern technology through a live broadcast that allowed viewers worldwide to witness the sculpture’s progression in real-time. The broadcast generated significant online engagement, with audiences participating virtually as ‘cloud guardians’ throughout the creation process.

The snowman has quickly become a premier photographic destination, enhancing Harbin’s reputation as a winter tourism destination and demonstrating the city’s commitment to creating large-scale public art that celebrates seasonal traditions while embracing technological innovation in its presentation and community engagement.