Tunisian democracy-building group wins Nobel Peace Prize

The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize has gone to a quartet of peace-builders from Tunisia Reuters

Tunisia's National Dialogue Quartet won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its contribution to building democracy after the Jasmine Revolution in 2011, the Nobel Committee said.

The quartet is made up of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers.

Formed in the summer of 2013, it helped support the democratisation process in Tunisia when it was in danger of collapsing, said the committee.

“It established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war,” said Kaci Kullman Five, head of the committee.

“More than anything, the prize is intended as an encouragement to the Tunisian people, who despite major challenges have laid the groundwork for a national fraternity which the Committee hopes will serve as an example to be followed by other countries.”

The Nobel Peace Prize, worth eight million Swedish crowns (CHF941,000), will be presented in Oslo on December 10.

Meanwhile, Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga has praised the the award for Tunisia’s civil society.

She described it as another important sign of international recognition for Tunisia’s efforts towards the rule of law and democracy.