VOA标准英语2011-Tunisian Human Rights Lawyer

For years, human-rights activists¹ in Tunisia have been imprisoned² and harassed³ by the hardline government of former president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. Now, they face new challenges as Tunisia faces an uncertain future. Lisa Bryant interviewed one of Tunisia's most prominent human-rights lawyers, Radia Nasraoui, and reports from Tunis.

Radia Nasraoui's mobile phone rings non stop. Make that several phones that she answers between conversations with journalists and colleagues. She has just finished attending a meeting of Tunisian and international lawyers and human rights activists in Tunis to discuss the changes taking place here - long-time president Zine el Abidine toppled from power, a new interim⁴ government, continued violence, and an uncertain future for this North African country.

Nasraoui said the grassroots protests that ousted⁵ Ben Ali are only the beginning of a victory for democracy. She believes all of those linked to Ben Ali's regime must leave power as well - including long-time prime minister Mohammed Ghannouchi and Tunisia's new transitional president, Fouad Mebazaa.

Nasraoui is also skeptical⁶ about Mr. Mebazaa's call for elections in two months. Given the dearth⁷ of a credible⁸ opposition⁹ after years of one-party rule, she believes it is merely a ploy¹⁰ to keep the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally Party in power.

She instead calls for grassroots democracy, starting with new town and village councils that will create a new constitution. She says one is already being formed in the southern town of Sidi Bouzid, where the self-immolation of a man sparked the protests that toppled Ben Ali.

Nasraoui has long been a thorn in the side of Tunisia's ruling establishment. So has her husband, Hamam Hamammi, spokesman for the Tunisian Communist Workers Party, outlawed¹¹ under Ben Ali's regime.

Police broke into their house and arrested Hamammi last week. Nasraoui said he was released hours before Ben Ali fled the country on Friday.

But Nasraoui said Hamammi is still in hiding. She says the couple still face threats from supporters of the old regime who want to exact revenge. But she is still active - trying to ensure that tumultuous changes taking place in Tunisia will pave the way for a stable democracy.

1 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 imprisoned   

下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was imprisoned for two concurrent terms of 30 months and 18 months. 他被判处30个月和18个月的监禁，合并执行。
• They were imprisoned for possession of drugs. 他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。

3 harassed   

adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He has complained of being harassed by the police. 他投诉受到警方侵扰。
• harassed mothers with their children 带着孩子的疲惫不堪的母亲们

4 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

6 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

7 dearth   

n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨

参考例句：

• There is a dearth of good children's plays.目前缺少优秀的儿童剧。
• Many people in that country died because of dearth of food.那个国家有许多人因为缺少粮食而死。

8 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

9 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

10 ploy   

n.花招，手段

参考例句：

• I think this is just a government ploy to deceive the public.我认为这只是政府欺骗公众的手段。
• Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder,not a cynical marketing ploy.圣诞节应该是兴奋和美妙的时刻，而不该是一种肆无忌惮的营销策略。

11 outlawed   

宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Most states have outlawed the use of marijuana. 大多数州都宣布使用大麻为非法行为。
• I hope the sale of tobacco will be outlawed someday. 我希望有朝一日烟草制品会禁止销售。