Update | Arab Spring bears fruit as Tunisia passes democratic constitution, plans elections
One of the most progressive in the Arab world, new charter protects women's rights, gender equality and freedom of religion
After decades of dictatorship and two years of arguments and compromises, Tunisians on Sunday finally had a new constitution, laying the foundations for a new democracy.
The document is groundbreaking as one of the most progressive constitutions in the Arab world – and for the fact that it got written at all.
It passed late on Sunday by with an overwhelming majority of 200 votes in favour, 12 against and four abstentions, in the Muslim Mediterranean country that inspired uprisings across the region after overthrowing a dictator in 2011.
“This constitution, without being perfect, is one of consensus,” assembly speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar said after the vote. “We had today a new rendezvous with history to build a democracy founded on rights and equality.”
The constitution enshrining freedom of religion and women’s rights took two years to finish.
During that period, the country was battered by high unemployment, protests, terrorist attacks, political assassinations and politicians who seemed more interested in posturing than finishing the charter.
At the same time, Egypt wrote two constitutions – and went through a military coup against an elected government. Egypt’s charters were quickly drafted by appointed committees and involved little public debate or input. In Tunisia, an elected assembly of Tunisian Islamists, leftists and liberals worked on a detailed roadmap for their political future.