Tunis, Tunisia – Tired of living in fear of a harsh dictatorship which prohibited free speech and political freedom, the founders of iWatch wanted a new, free and democratic Tunisia.  When the revolution began in Sidi Bouzid, they were among hundreds of young Tunisians who stood up to the brutality of President Ben Ali’s security services.  Although initially surprised to see how many of their peers were out in the streets, they could sense freedom was close – so they fought.

While Ben Ali was forced to abdicate on January 14 after weeks of bloody clashes with security services, elements of the one-party system that he had perpetuated and the legacy of decades of repression remained.  Opposition parties were disorganized and fragmented, civil society nascent and lacking roots.  Many former regime members retained much of their former power and influence.  However, for the first time in a generation, the Tunisian people were free to build their own future.

As Tunisians continued to protest for reform in the ensuing months, they took to the Internet on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to share and discuss issues normally off limits to public debate: high unemployment, corruption, the state of the economy.  The young founders of iWatch decided to play an active role, recognizing that the Tunisian revolution would be fought and won by the country’s youth.  Thus, six friends from around Tunisia joined together to form the beginnings of what would grow into iWatch: a watchdog group comprised of young Tunisians with the goal of fighting corruption at all levels of society – political, mid-level and the low level corruption that affected the lives of so many Tunisians for more than a generation.  The name of the organization came naturally – iWatch: ever watchful to protect the revolution, fight corruption and promote free and fair elections.   

From its humble beginnings, the group expanded, welcoming diverse members from the underdeveloped interior and the wealthier coastal regions.  In growing their organization, the original six founders did what came natural to them, and the group expanded through the same informal networks of friends and family that fueled the original Tunisian revolution. 

Once established, iWatch became active in organizing meetings and concerts around Tunisia to promote awareness of corruption.  The group’s members traveled to the border with Libya to volunteer in the refugee camps that sprang up during Libya’s civil war.  iWatch soon had seven branches throughout Tunisia and began to prepare for the October 23 national constituent assembly elections.  To ensure these elections would be nothing like the superfluous one-party ones of the past, iWatch organized and trained hundreds of young people throughout the country as independent observers.

On Election Day, iWatch was one of the largest domestic observer groups in Tunisia deploying 800 observers in polling stations across the country.  The group is officially now comprised of 181 members in 16 branches and next year plans to closely monitor the drafting of the new Tunisian Constitution.

iWatch is a unique organization that attracts all elements of Tunisian society, counting among its ranks both liberals and conservatives, men and women, residents of the interior and coastal regions.  Because of their strong activism and commitment to a free and fair democracy in Tunisia, in addition to the inclusiveness of its membership, iWatch is truly a Democracy’s Hero.

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