Business of Djellaz

The business of Djellaz is an legal affair Tunisia not rising from a riot occurred the 7 and November 8th 1911 around the Cimetière of Djellaz, largest Cimetière of Tunis, whose consequences were dramatic. It falls under the context of the conquest by the Italy of the close Tripolitaine.

Land conflict

The September 26th 1911, Tunisois learn that the municipality of Tunis deposited on its behalf a request for recording of the field of Djellaz near the administration of the land businesses in the intention to acquire it. Even if the field had for a long time been placed under its supervision, the goal of the registration of the cemetery by the municipality is to protect the legitimate rights from the owners.

Fearing that such an initiative does not constitute a violation of their rights and an offense with regard to their religious feelings, the Moslem of the Capitale require explanations to the municipality. The president of the Municipal council denies any implication and, at the conclusion of the examination of the file, the council comes to a conclusion about the interruption of the procedure of recording.

By premeditated negligence or Laxism, neither the French-speaking newspapers, nor the press Arabic-speaking person relay the decision of the Municipal council. This lack of information was appropriate to the big landowners or to the speculators who disputed the capacity of the mixed Court in the registration of the buildings which made impossible their acquisition at low cost or the car-attribution of the property rights. In addition, the topographic administration immediately does not apply the instructions of the council concerning this business. Thus, for lack of information, Tunisois cannot that to follow the directives of the old advertisement which invited officially the interested parties to arise to one specific time in front of the cemetery to deposit their requests for opposition.

Riot

The day of the incident, Tunisois discover with amazement the field of the barricaded cemetery, surrounded by the closed security forces and its doors. By noticing the presence of an officer charged to raise measurements of the ground and being prevented from entering the cemetery, agitation gains crowd. In this context of incomprehension, the mass attacks blow of Pierre S with the forces of police force which are found quickly overflowed. The armed is then called with the rescue. In the middle of the tumult, Tunisois learn death from an Arab child 12 years old which would have been aimed at blow of Pistolet by an Italian of the roof of his house. The fury is then moved against the Italians and of the fixings declare themselves between the Muslim population and the Italian community. Many deaths and wounded are counted at the conclusion of confrontation.

Lawsuit

The lawsuit opens the June 3rd 1912 in front of the criminal Court of Tunis: 74 people are accused and 140 convened witnesses. Abdeljelil Zaouche, member of the Tunisian advisory Conférence and city council man of Tunis is in particular denounced even if the investigation ends up clearing it. Indeed, he had asked the withdrawal of the request for registration and, during the riot even, had made his possible to alleviate the rioters. However, the sentence of the court is severe: 7 people are condemned to the Capital punishment and 18 essuient sorrows of forced labors. The authorities issue also the suspension of all the newspapers Arabic-speaking people of which the Tunisian .

The business of Djellaz underlined the awkwardness of the authorities of the French protectorate to manage their communication. Even if there does not exist any similarity with the spontaneousness of the rioters of Djellaz, the joint action of the Boycott of the trams tunisois in 1912 falls under the context of tension born with the business of Djellaz.

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