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Femen activists arrested for disrobing in front of Tunisian Justice Ministry

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ANI Johannesburg

Femen, a Ukrainian feminist group that uses nudity in protests has again created furor when three of its activists disrobed in front of the Tunisian Justice Ministry protesting against the detention of the group's member Amina Tyler.

The protesting women of German and French origin approached the entrance to the ministry and disrobed revealing naked torsos scribbled with 'Breasts Feed Revolution' and chanted 'Free Amina' and ' Women's spring is coming'.

In a report by News24, Tyler was arrested on charges of carrying dangerous objects and attempting a protest in the religious centre of Kairouan where an ultraconservative Muslim group had hoped to hold a conference.

 

The trio climbed up the gates of the ministry in protest before being pulled down by the police.

Fatima Zahaouadi, a young woman lawyer called the act of taking off clothes by the women as one against the religion and tradition of Arab-Muslim Tunisian society.

The lawyers also stated that the women could be jailed for a period of one year on charges of attack on public morals and threatening public order, the report added.

Another member of Femen, Inna said that the protests are against the treatment of women in Arab and demand to let Amina free.

According to the report, the Ukrainian group has earlier carried out semi-nude protests in Europe but recently initiated in the Middle East after Tyler's actions.

Middle East feminists believe that their actions of nudity as a way of protest is not fruitful in an ultra conservative region like the Middle East and may not help them achieve their goal of gender equality.

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First Published: May 30 2013 | 5:27 PM IST

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