Tunisian journalist undertakes hunger strike to protest being banned from writing

Tawfik Ben Berik, a Tunisian journalist, undertook yesterday continuing his hunger strike to protest the confiscation of his passport, the ban keeping him from writing or moving freely, as well as harassment of his family members.

Ben Berik started a hunger strike more than 20 days ago, during which he has lost nearly 18 kilograms. He said he will not stop the strike until gains his full rights.

One of the officials from the Tunisian national committee for liberties said that Ben Berik is suffering, yet he will continue resisting in a passive way. The official added that the journalist stopped taking in food and lives only on water and liquids.

The Tunisian authority issued an order to ban Ben Berik from leaving Tunis for having published two articles in foreign newspapers that dealt with liberties in Tunis.