Dear friends across the Middle East and North Africa,

A Tunisian woman was raped by policemen and could now face charges of indecency and months in jail. But if we raise our voices,we can save her from detention and pave the way for stronger protection of women’s rights in Tunisia. Sign the petition below and share with everyone:

On a recent night, two policemen raped a Tunisian woman repeatedly in her car and when they were caught, accused her of indecency! Now she could face months in jail unless we act immediately to demand the magistrate deny these outrageous charges and insist on stronger protection of women’s rights in Tunisia.

The Tunisian president has now issued an official state apology to the woman — but incredibly the Magistrate is still considering “indecency” charges against her. If we build massive pressure now and show the Tunisian government that this case is being watched closely by the entire region, we can shame the Magistrate to dropping this case. 

Any day now, the Magistrate will make a decision, so if thousands of us raise our voices, we can tip the balance and help ensure that state institutions stop the flagrant abuse. Click below to sign the urgent petition and share with everyone — when 10,000 people have signed, we’ll organize a major media stunt outside the Supreme Court in Tunis: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tunisian_rape_by_police/?bFAfecb&v=18874

The woman and her fiance were driving back from dinner when the police stopped them.  One officer took the woman’s fiancé to an ATM to rob him, while the other two raped her. When the couple complained, the police alleged that the couple were found in an “immoral position,” a charge they both deny and that was blatantly invented by her rapists to cover up their crime. To make matters worse, the Minister of Justice has denied that the charges against the woman were even made.

Tunisia has historically supported women’s rights, but the new government has gone backwards.  An article has even been proposed in the draft constitution calling women ‘complementary’ to men, meaning unequal.  In a country where the female literacy rate of greater than 70% is the highest of any in North Africa, women can’t afford to lose vital government protection. 

The birth place of the Arab spring, Tunisia potentially has a bright future ahead of it and ideally the country will develop a fully independent judiciary that upholds the rule of law. But, during this transitional period there is still too much political influence over the court system so we need to ensure the magistrate here heeds the call of the world to exercise the highest calling of the judiciary: justice. The 27-year old Tunisian woman who suffered through this monstrous experience will carry it with her the rest of her life, let’s show her she’s not alone. Sign the petition now and forward to all your friends: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tunisian_rape_by_police/?bFAfecb&v=18874

Activists across the globe have been protesting the Tunisian government’s backpedaling on women’s rights, and now is our chance to join them. Together, the Avaaz community has fought to protect an Iranian woman from execution and delivered thousands of signatures to the Moroccan government for stronger women’s rights. Now, let’s bring our people-power to Tunisia to demand justice for women.

With hope and determination,

Dalia, Rewan, Bissan, Ian, Ricken, Mais and the entire Avaaz team

For more information:

Outrage in Tunisia after woman raped by police is accused of indecency
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/09/26/240354.html

President issues ‘state apology’ in Tunisia police rape case (CNN)
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/05/world/africa/tunisia-rape/index.html 

Tunis judge questions raped woman over indecency claims
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iaTKT211FrdlYC3ZzhwSdTNndZPw?docId=CNG.22011a6a4c26a3b31e175088bb6ae443.401 

Police Rape Victim Interview on IWPR
http://www.tunisia-live.net/2012/10/11/police-rape-victim-interview-on-iwpr/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tunisia-live%2FyMtB+%28Tunisia+Live%29 

Tunisia: Protesters support woman in rape case (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/world/africa/tunisia-protesters-support-woman-in-rape-case.html