"The UAE authorities have serious security information about the possibility of terrorist attacks," the Tunisian president's spokesperson Saida Garrach told Shems FM radio, commenting on the recent decision by the UAE to block access to the country for Tunisian women and girls.
This information, as Garrach explained, indicates that these possible terror acts might be carried out by Tunisian women or women carrying a Tunisian passport, amid jihadists returning from Syria and Iraq, adding that these people could use false identities.
According to the spokesperson, the Emirates, UAE's air carrier, has received "clear instructions" to block access to Tunisian women to their planes, with passengers only receiving the explanation that females with a Tunisian passport were not allowed to travel to the Arabian country.
"The UAE authorities informed the Tunisian side about the reports and information on [terrorists'] plans to attack the UAE and stage a terror attack involving Tunisian women during the Christmas celebrations," a high-ranking source in the Tunisian government has confirmed Sputnik on Monday.
However, Garrach stressed that while Tunisia could understand the UAE's security concerns, the country couldn't accept "the way Tunisian women have been treated," with Tunisian rights groups calling the measures "discriminatory and racist."
1846: #Tunisia abolishes slavery
— Ryma (@ryyma12) 25 декабря 2017 г.
1956: Tunisia abolishes poligamy
1957: Tunisian women can vote and seek office
1965: Tunisia legalizes abortion
1971: #UAE is founded
2017: UAE bans Tunisian females from boarding its Emirates flights
🇹🇳#NoWomenNoFly
#تونس_تودب_الامارات
All attempts of the Tunisian authorities to help their nationals in Tunis, Abu Dhabi and Beirut, made within the last several days, resulted in Emirates halting flights between Tunis and Dubai.
Emirates will stop services between Tunis and Dubai, as instructed by the Tunisian authorities, with effect from 25 December 2017
— Emirates airline (@emirates) 24 декабря 2017 г.
بناء على تعليمات السلطات التونسية، وابتداء من اليوم الاثنين، تعلق طيران الامارات رحلاتها من تونس واليها، وحتى اشعار آخر
When addressing the issue, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has stated that the rights of the Tunisian women should not be violated "whatever the justification" and instructing Khemaies Jhinaoui, the country's foreign minister to solve this problem as soon as possible to "preserve fraternal relations and cooperation" with the UAE.
This is not only discrimination against Tunisian women it is discrimination against all the women in the world!! Today Tunisian women tomorrow it will be you the one!#boycottemirates
— flah marwa (@maoi24) 24 декабря 2017 г.
#NowomanNoFly #Tunisie#تونس_تؤدب_الامارات
