Arab Spring Human Rights

Research question
To what extent did Human rights play a role in the Arab Spring in Tunisia?
This paper highlights the influence of the human rights in the Arab Spring revolution in Tunisia. This will be studied through two theories: liberalism and constructivism. These two approaches will be compared and contrasted throughout this paper.

Introduction:

From 2010 to 2011, Tunisia was subjected to a revolution from its people which totally changed the whole country by overthrowing the government and change the regime. This revolution spread to other Arab countries and became « the Arab Spring ». Along with a new political system, Tunisia saw many changes concerning its human rights situation. During the revolution itself in Tunisia, respect

Demonstrators expressing political and economic grievances faced violent crackdowns by their countries’ security forces. »
As stated in this definition, the revolution began in 2010, specifically in Tunisia. A young street vendor immolated himself in Sidi Bouzid as a reaction to humiliation from authorities. This, along with inflation, high unemployment, corruption and the lack of respect of human and political rights motivated demonstrations which were violently repressed by the authorities. The Tunisian revolution ended in January 2011 by the exil of Ben Ali, the president of Tunisia for 23 years. However, it spread to multiple other arabic countries (mainly Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen) with more or less

The revolution itself was seen « an « unprecedented opening for respect for human rights in the country » with, however , many human rights infringements : « Some 300 people died and hundreds were injured by the security forces during mass protests in the weeks prior to 14 January, when President Zine El 'Abidine Ben 'Ali was toppled from power and fled the country. Many peaceful protesters were shot dead by security forces using live ammunition. ». The transition government was considered as a more complicated by Human rights organisations : « political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, were released; legal restrictions on political parties and NGOs were eased; the Department of State Security (DSS), notorious for torturing detainees with impunity, was dissolved; Tunisia became party to additional international human rights treaties; and a new National Constituent Assembly was elected with a mandate to draft and agree a new