Nobel Peace Prize Awarded To Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet

“After the Arab Spring in Tunisia in 2010-11, the Quartet paved the way for a peaceful dialogue between citizens,” said Kaci Kullmann Five, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The National Dialogue Quartet are four civil society organizations, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers.

The Quartet was awarded “for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011,” the chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee added.

RT report continues:

The Quartet was formed in summer 2013 “when the democratization process was in danger of collapsing as a result of political assassinations and widespread social unrest,” said Kullmann Five.

“It established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war.”

The organizations represent different sectors and values in Tunisian society from working life to human rights and rule of law.

“On this basis, the Quartet exercised its role as a mediator and driving force to advance peaceful democratic development in Tunisia with great moral authority.”

Speculation about possible winners of the 88th Peace Prize recipient has been mounting this year. Among potential Nobel Prize laureates were German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis and Edward Snowden.

Tunisian man shouts slogans during a demonstration in front the Interior ministry in Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation on January 14, 2011. © AFP Photo

Tunisia Nobel Winner Calls Prize A "Message" For Region

Reuters reports that members of the Tunisian negotiating team that won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping the country overcome a political crisis following its 2011 uprising called the award a message for the region on the power of dialogue.

Known as the Quartet, including the powerful UGTT labour union, the team negotiated to end a political deadlock in 2013 that threatened to scuttle the North African state's political transition after the fall of autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

"This is a great joy and pride for Tunisia, but also a hope for the Arab World," UGTT chief Hussien Abassi said.

"It's a message that dialogue can lead us on the right path. This prize is a message for our region to put down arms and sit and talk at the negotiation table."