Is This Arab Spring Country Finally Getting It Right?

Three years after its revolution, Tunisia is celebrating its success post-Arab Spring. While other nations in the region are struggling with referendums and civil war, Tunisia is making political progress. However, their progress has not been without significant violence, high profile assassinations, and a weak economy. While the struggle between secularist and Islamists still wages on, politicians are hoping to approve a new constitution. The draft took two years to write and was introduced on January 3rd. A member of the elected assembly recently said, "We've got to live together and respect each other". Human rights organizations have praised the Constitution for its guaranteed freedom of religion and for Article 45. The bill guarantees women's rights and parity for women in elected bodies is groundbreaking in the Arab world. Also influential is Article 20 which recognizes the rights of refugees. Most importantly, the Constitution says nothing about the implementation of Sharia law. It does state Islam as the religion of the state and notes the state's duty to "protect the sacred". All in all, the Constitution is being hailed as the most liberal in the region and leaves many hopeful for progress elsewhere.

--Emily Goodfellow (PSC 222)