Ennahdha Party Leaders Urge Washington, D.C. to Support Democracy in Tunisia

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahdha (Renaissance) Party, visited the U.S. this week to urge lawmakers to publicly support democracy as Tunisia heads for Parliamentary elections on October 26. As the first, post-revolution Arab Spring country to conduct what are expected to be free and fair elections, Tunisia offers a sharp contrast to the region's extremes.

"Tunisia's democratic journey is still nascent – and a visible support for the electoral process and its outcome will be crucial not just for Tunisia, but for the whole region and the U.S.," said Ghannouchi. "A lot is riding on Tunisia's elections – it will be one of the most consequential electoral contests the world community will witness."

Ghannouchi was invited to speak at Yale University in Connecticut and Columbia University in New York, and also addressed the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, DC this week. He reiterated that Tunisia's consensus-based model will showcase that Islam and democracy can co-exist in the Arab world.

To arrange an interview with Ennahdha Party International Spokesperson Yusra Ghannouchi, please contact Bill McQuillen at [email protected] or 202-530-4610.

Background

Following the Arab Spring, the Ennahdha Party led an interim, moderate, inclusive coalition government after Tunisia's first free and fair elections in 2011 and then willingly stepped down to pave the way for a consensus, technocratic government.  As one of the first parties in the country to advocate for democratic values, human rights and freedoms, Ennahdha played a crucial role in developing what has been described as the most progressive constitution in the Arab world. 

Ennahdha has been a pillar for Tunisian stability since the Arab Spring, after spending decades in exile or under persecution during President Ben Ali's regime. The party, in which 41 of its 89 members of parliament are women, is led by Mr. Ghannouchi, whose scholarship on Islam and democracy has guided the party's commitment to human rights, inclusiveness and democratic governance.

SOURCE Ennahdha (Renaissance) Party