Tunisia to resume Emirates flights after row over women

Tunisia to resume Emirates flights after row over women
The Dubai-based flight operator will resume flights to Tunisia, marking the end of the row over discrimination that began when Emirates subjected Tunisian women to stringent security checks.
2 min read
05 January, 2018
Tunisians have been up in arms at Emirates' new found security measures
Tunisia said on Thursday it was allowing Emirates Airline flights to the country again after halting them following outcry over security measures by the United Arab Emirates targeting Tunisian women.

Tunisia suspended flights by the Dubai-based carrier on December 24 after women from the North African state complained they were delayed after being targeted for additional checks as they flew to the UAE.

Tunisian officials said the authorities in the UAE told them they had "serious security information about the possibility of terrorist attacks" involving either Tunisian women or a women with a Tunisian passport.

The controls sparked ire in Tunisia and the presidency complained that the rights of Tunisian women should not to be violated "whatever the justification".

In a statement on Thursday, Tunisia's transport ministry announced the "resumption of Emirates flights to Tunisia" after the "lifting of measures against Tunisian women".

The ministry said an agreement was struck with the airline that would see it "respect rights and international accords".

The strained relations that followed the so-called travel ban had widespread repercussions. The Emirati handball team cancelled two of its games against Tunisia after the North African country appointed female referees, in apparent solidarity with Tunisian women.

Tunisian Olympic gold medallist Habiba Ghribi also told The New Arab of her shock at the travel ban, which she said insulted the dignity of Tunisian women.