Why Did Tunisia Become an Exception in the Arab World?

Ramin Jahanbegloo, a philosophy professor in Canada, had a conversation with Abdessatar Ben Moussa, president of the Tunisian Human Rights League and one of the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize 2015, during a peace conference in Cordoba, Spain. They discussed the challenges and prospects of Tunisia's young democracy and shared it with Radio Farda: You are one of the members of the National Dialogue Quartet in Tunisia that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015. Was the news of the Nobel Prize surprising for Tunisian civil society and you? The Nobel Prize was not a surprise for the Tunisian community. Certainly, we were not expecting this award, but it was an acknowledgment for Tunisia, a crossroads of different civilizations, an acknowledgment for the peaceful and tolerant people of Tunisia, an acknowledgment for the elites of Tunisia, women, youth, and the independent and fighting civil society. How did the national dialogue succeed in Tunisia while it failed in other countries (Arab Spring)? Various factors contributed to the success of the national dialogue in Tunisia. The first factor: the Tunisian civil society is made up of numerous fighting organizations. The Quartet consists of the labor union, an organization that fought against colonizers and for workers' rights, the lawyers' organization, a strong and fighting organization, the Tunisian Human Rights League, the first human rights organization in Africa and the Arab world, and the employers' union, whose presence added value to the national dialogue. There is also a form of Salafism that is against violence. Jihadists have caused many problems in Tunisia and many other countries. Abdessatar Ben Moussa, president of the Tunisian Human Rights League. The second factor for the success of the national dialogue: political parties that prioritized national interest over party interests. The Islamists in power realized that dialogue was the only solution. The national parliament and its president facilitated the national dialogue. All these conditions did not exist in other neighboring countries. Can we say that Tunisian society is less trapped by violence than other Arab countries? Yes, certainly. The people of Tunisia are against violence and terrorism. Recent events in Benghordane in the south of the country have proven this, and the army is alongside the people. The meaning and concept of national dialogue convinced religious parties not to enter into a civil war in Tunisia. In fact, it was the effect of the reconciliation technique employed by civil associations in Tunisian society. Yes, religious parties accepted dialogue because of the activities of civil society activists as they convinced political parties about the negative consequences of violence. Tunisia has escaped chaos but is in a state of disorder. How do Tunisians manage to strengthen their young democracy? To strengthen the young democracy, institutions, especially the Constitutional Court and the High Legislative Authority, must be activated without delay. Laws that oppose freedom must be set aside. Furthermore, for economic and social transition, investors must be encouraged, and suitable solutions for unemployment must be found. Freedom of belief is at the heart of Tunisia's constitution. Do you think this is an important achievement in the Muslim world? Freedom of belief is an important achievement for Tunisia and the Arab world. In fact, freedom of belief is the essence of Islam. Are you worried about the Salafists in Tunisia and the future of secularism in Tunisia? Salafists are not a concern in Tunisia. There is a form of Salafism that is against violence. Jihadists have caused many problems in Tunisia and many other countries. They base their foundation on Wahhabism and promote violence. Reforms in education initiated by the Tunisian Ministry of Education and the preservation of mosques against political propaganda help counter jihadists.