Night in Tunisia

Valentine Violation

So I am aware that when moving to a nation with a democratic front for a dictatorship that I should expect some alterations on what I previously considered my right to privacy. For example, phone calls will be monitored, email might be traced, and people might even keep an eye on your spending habbits via your bank card. I never imagined that there would be anything more than that. In fact, I assumed that most surveilance would be small things or unnoticeable. Apparently that's not entirely correct.

I just received a letter from my mother (thanks mom). It was sent by purolator with a whole bunch of goodies in it, letters from other family members, cards and sparkles as well as teaching certificates and other things we need. By the time it got to me, every envelope had been cut open. All of them. This was the kind of behaviour I expected from police monitoring crazy tunisian activists, people who really make noise agains the current administration. I was so steamed that I couldn't help mentioning it to a couple of canadians we met at a canadian embassy function in Gammarth. They shook their head sadly and told us it was common practice. Apparently I should expect everything to be opened for the next six month, and then if they decide I'm not a spy or informant, they may leave me alone. Apparently this goes for outgoing and incomming mail. So if you're sending me something, be sure you're okay with others reading it. If you want to send something make sure it's not too valuable. Also, some of my letters might not make it out. So if you're waiting on one... well, keep your fingers crossed.

posted by tiaraletourneau @ 4:09 p.m.