2015

Strengthening democracy and human rights through peaceful dialogue

The Tunisian Quartet (the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGGT), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers (ONAT) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to the development of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia. In 2011, the Arab Spring opened the door for peaceful dialogue and concerted efforts to promote democracy between political parties and religious groups in the Middle East. The uprising originated in Tunisia, and in 2015 the country was the only one where the hope of democracy was still alive. Tunisia was on the brink of civil war when the Quartet took action and succeeded in establishing a national dialogue. The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasised the fact that Islamist and secular political movements worked together to democratise the country. The National Dialogue Quartet can take much of the credit for Tunisia’s adoption of a new constitution that paved the way for parliamentary and presidential elections.