Human Rights in Tunisia's Transition: A View from the Field

Presented by the Project on Middle East Democracy and the U.S. Institute of Peace

Thursday, May 9, 2013
10:00 am – 11:30 am
United States Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue NW

Between 2012-2013, Tunisia’s political scene has witnessed increasing polarization and occasional violence, culminating in the assassination of Chokri Belaid in February 2013. In this context, Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly is considering the third and perhaps final draft of its proposed constitution.  The constitution-writing process has been protracted by disagreements about allusions to Islam and cultural values, and the primacy of human rights as they are internationally defined.

As Tunisia is led by a provisional government, how does the country rank on human rights, addressing political violence by intolerant groups, protecting freedom of expression and the rights of women and minorities, and writing a constitution that safeguards the rights of all Tunisians?

With

Amel Azzouz
Member, Tunisian National Constituent Assembly
Member, Ennahda’s Internal Shura Council

Amna Guellali
Tunisia Country Representative,
Human Rights Watch

Daniel Brumberg
Senior Adviser on Middle East Initiatives,
U.S. Institute of Peace

Stephen McInerney
Executive Director,
Project on Middle East Democracy

Chair: Joyce Kasee
Program Officer, North Africa Program
U.S. Institute of Peace