Tunisia activist gains award via the waste scandal

The Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi has awarded a global price for her role, in which a large waste scandal was uncovered, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are “no dumping ground”.

Gharbi was one of the first to speak when Italy sent more than 280 waste containers to the North African country in 2020.

The cargo was originally referred to as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found dangerous budget waste – prohibited under Tunisian law.

“It is true that we are developing countries,” said Gharbi in an interview with AFP. “But we are not a dumping floor.”

Last week, the 57-year-old belonged to seven environmentalists from different countries that presented this year's Goldman Environment Award in California.

The Goldman Committee said its basic activism contributed to Italy to take the waste in February 2022.

Gharbi “has contributed to leading a campaign that questioned a corrupt waste trading program between Italy and Tunisia,” said the Goldman Committee.

And her efforts ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tons “illegally exported budget waste to Italy,” added the organization based in the USA.

The scandal took over national proportions in Tunisia and saw the dismissal of the then Minister of Environment Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison.

A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were pursued by criminal law.

Nevertheless, the waste remained in the port of Sousse for more than two years, whereby the inactive Tunisia law groups criticized the inactivity of the authorities when Italy did not comply with the deadlines to take them back.

– limited capacity –

Global waste trading often sees industrialized nations in poorer countries with limited methods to manage them.

“What is poisonous for industrialized countries is also poisonous for us,” said Gharbi. “We also have the right to live in a healthy environment.”

She added that rich countries can manage their own waste that have developed “limited capacity” like Tunisia.

The Goldman Committee said Gharbi's campaign contributed to driving reforms in the European Union.

“Your efforts have stimulated the political changes within the EU, which has now tightened your procedures and regulations for waste deliveries abroad,” it said.

Gharbi, who campaigned for the health of environmental threats for 25 years, said she has never struggled to transform the scandal into a symbol.

“But now that it has become one, the better,” she said with a smile.

She hopes that the award will increase the profile of Tunisian civil society and that groups with which she works throughout Africa will consider recognition as her own.

“The price also belongs to you,” she said, adding that it would help to strengthen the advocacy representation and “convey messages”.

IBA/DV