Tunisia-Garden of the Righteous of Italian Embassy in Tunis dedicates tree to Lina Ben Mhenni

In a press release, published on Monday, the Italian Embassy recalls the many actions of the blogger who “fought with courage and determination for the defence of freedom, democracy and for the safeguard of the planet”.

The many awards with which Italy has recognised the young activist’s merits will also be on display in the Garden of the Righteous: the “Rome Prize for Peace and Humanitarian Action” (2011), the Minerva Anna Maria Mammoliti Prize for political commitment and in defence of human rights (2011) and the Ischia International Journalism Prize (2014).

These distinctions, in addition to the many awards Lina Ben Mhenni has received around the world, further testify to the global dimension of her causes.

The same source states that “her example and her memory are very much alive in Italy too, where Lina has visited several times to recount her experience and encourage new generations to become involved and active in society”.

A ceremony will be held on June 29 in the Garden of the Righteous, in the presence of the Minister for Human Rights, Relations with Constitutional Bodies and Civil Society, Ayachi Hammami, as well as relatives, family members and friends of Lina.

Italian Ambassador in Tunis Lorenzo Fanara said “Lina has been and continues to be a real positive example for young people and for all those who do not give up in the face of difficulties, who do not give in to frustration, but who unite their efforts and invest their energies and passion to improve the human condition”.

The Garden of the Righteous in the Italian Embassy, the first in an Arab country, was inaugurated in July 2016 and every year hosts a new tree dedicated to the Righteous of the past and of our time who, at the risk of their lives, have fought to defend the values of humanity and solidarity, human rights and freedoms, the same source said.

Among the honorees of this garden there is also Mohamed Abid, a Tunisian who was awarded the Civil Gold Medal for Bravery in Italy, for having sacrificed his life in 2003 to save an Italian woman and two children in difficulty at sea off the coast of Agrigento.