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Oral history interview with Abdessatar Ben Moussa, 2016

Creator: Ben Moussa, Abdessatar
Project: Tunisian Transition oral history collection.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :Transcript: 36 pages
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
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Biographical Note

Abdessatar Ben Moussa is a Tunisian lawyer. He was elected president of the Tunisian League of Human Rights (LTDH) in 2011. He is a member of the Quartet of the National Dialogue, and received the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of his organization. He is also a member of the Presidency Council of the Arab Organization for Human Rights and ambassador for good intentions with the International Bar. From 2004 to 2007, he was the bâtonnier of the National Bar Association of Tunisia, and president of its Siliana section. He is a member of the National Council for Liberties (CNLT)

Scope and Contents

Abdessatar Ben Moussa, president of the LTDH [Ligue Tunisienne pour la défense des droits de l'homme], reminisces about the years leading up to the Tunisian Revolution. He narrates his own involvement with civil society since he was a student, as well as the revolution, the formation of the Quartet of the National Dialogue, and the challenges faced by its members. He recalls the part of the transition before the technocratic government was appointed, during which the Quartet was instrumental in facilitating the collaboration of political parties that were hostile to each other. Ben Moussa reflects on democracy and the importance of democratic institutions. He insists on the necessity of a cultural revolution that would emphasize values such as work and education. He also warns that it is necessary to address economic issues. All of this will ensure that the revolutionary process is successful and avoid another revolution. He describes receiving the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Quartet

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 2016

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