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| I Watch (Tunisia) | |
|---|---|
| Name | I Watch |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Tunis |
| Region served | Tunisia |
| Leader title | Director |
| Leader name | Sihem Bensedrine |
I Watch (Tunisia) is a Tunisian non-governmental organization founded in the aftermath of the 2010–2011 Tunisian Revolution to monitor corruption, promote transparency, and advocate for accountability. The organization operates in Tunis and other Tunisian governorates and engages with regional and international actors such as the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations, and the International Monetary Fund while interacting with Tunisian institutions including the Constituent Assembly, the President of Tunisia, and the Ministry of Justice.
I Watch was established in 2011 following the resignation of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the wider protests known as the Jasmine Revolution, alongside civic movements like the Tunisian General Labour Union and activists connected to the Ennahda Movement and the Democratic Modernist Pole. Founding figures drew inspiration from anti-corruption efforts in Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon and from international organizations such as Transparency International, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Carter Center. The group emerged during the transitional period that involved the National Constituent Assembly, Prime Ministers including Hamadi Jebali and Ali Larayedh, and political dynamics involving parties like Nidaa Tounes and the Popular Front.
I Watch's stated mission emphasizes combating corruption, defending human rights, and strengthening public accountability in Tunisia. Its objectives reference Tunisian laws such as the Penal Code and anti-corruption statutes, engage with judicial bodies including the Court of Cassation and the Higher Judicial Council, and seek compliance with international instruments like the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and guidelines from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The organization frames its goals in relation to civic actors such as journalists from La Presse de Tunisie, human rights defenders linked to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, and civil society networks like the Arab NGO Network for Development.
I Watch conducts investigations, publishes reports, and files complaints before institutions such as the Public Prosecutor and the Administrative Tribunal. Its campaigns have targeted procurement irregularities in municipalities including Tunis and Sfax, lobbying activities involving the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, and transparency in state-owned enterprises like the Tunisian Company of Navigation. The organization has issued analyses referencing cases that involved figures associated with the Constitutional Democratic Rally, business groups like the Union Tunisienne de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'Artisanat, and institutions including the Central Bank of Tunisia and the National Anti-Corruption Authority. I Watch also organizes training with universities such as the University of Tunis and civil society events with partners like the Open Society Foundations and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
I Watch is structured with a board of directors, a technical team, and volunteer monitors who operate in governorates such as Sousse, Kairouan, and Bizerte. Leadership includes activists and journalists who have engaged with institutions like the Tunisian Bar Association and NGOs such as Al Bawsala and the Tunisian Observatory for Political and Social Rights. Funding sources reported for the organization have included grants from European Commission development programs, support from the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and small donations from foundations such as the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and private philanthropy tied to regional donors. The organization maintains relations with auditing organizations and professional networks including the International Center for Journalists and the Mediterranean Dialogue forums.
I Watch has been credited with influencing public debate around transparency, prompting investigations by the judiciary and administrative oversight bodies, and contributing to legislative discussions in the Assembly of the Representatives of the People on anti-corruption bills and asset declaration laws. Its work has been covered by media outlets such as Al Jazeera, France 24, and Reuters, and cited by academic researchers at institutions like Sciences Po and the University of Cambridge. Controversies have included disputes with political figures from parties like the Free Destourian Party and accusations from some business associations criticizing the group's methods; legal challenges have involved interactions with prosecutors and debates before administrative judges. Critics have compared its tactics to watchdogs in Egypt and Libya, while supporters link its impact to broader post-revolutionary reforms promoted by international donors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
I Watch collaborates with regional and international partners such as Transparency International, the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network, the United Nations Development Programme, and the African Development Bank. It has engaged with Tunisian civil society actors like the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, trade unions including the Tunisian General Labour Union, and media organizations including Mosaique FM and Leaders. Academic collaborations include research with the Tunis International Center for Economic Research and exchange programs with universities in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Category:Non-governmental organizations based in Tunisia Category:Anti-corruption organizations Category:Human rights organizations