Guest Post: Topless Photos in Tunisia

Guest Post: Yassine from Tunisia

Tunisian FEMEN Activist Posts Topless Photos, Causes Huge Controversy

Amina Tyler, member of radical feminist organization FEMEN, posted two topless photos of herself on FEMEN Tunisia's Facebook page in mid-March. The nineteen-year old had written "Fuck your morals" under her chest in the first picture, and "My body belongs to me, and does not represent anyone's honor" in the second picture.

The bold move by the young activist sparked much controversy, with the country's conservatives responding most vehemently to what they viewed as an act of debauchery and whoredom. FEMEN Tunisia's Facebook page was hacked by Islamist hackers who replaced the pictures with quranic verses and threats to Amina.

Adel Almi, an influential Islamist preacher, has called for Amina to be lashed 80 to a 100 times, and suggested stoning her to death.

Having received threats to her life, there was much concern about the safety of Amina. Many rumors about what had happened to her circulated in the weeks following the posting of the picture. Some claimed she was abducted, while others said that her parents had her admitted to a mental institution. However, latest reports from Le Monde confirm that Amina is safe, according to her lawyer.

Tunisia is considered to be one of the most liberal Arab countries, with women's rights and equality legally institutionalized. However, the 'religious reawakening' within Tunisian society and the rise of the ruling Islamist party Ennahdha has caused much concern about women's rights and position in society. Under the Tunisian penal code, Tyler can be sentenced to up to six months in prison for distributing her topless photo if someone files a complaint.

FEMEN, a feminist activist group famous for its topless protests, was founded in Ukraine but has increasingly expanded its actions internationally. They operate mostly in Europe.

Random Yassine thoughts: I can't quite make up my mind on this issue. On the one hand, I find Amina's act admirable in its brave, resistant and freedom-loving nature. On the other, I also see it as an unnecessary provocation which will give Islamists, conservatives and hardliners an excuse to further condemn women and retrograde their already-diminishing stature in society. There are definitely better strategies to bring the issue of women's rights to the fore of public debate during this crucial transitional period. However, I concede that radical action is sometimes the best way to impart change (Mohammed Bouazizi's immolation springs to mind), especially with the worrying string of highly publicized pedophiliac rapes that has occurred during the past few days, including one in my hometown Boumhel.