Ban pledges full UN help for Tunisia’s transition to democracy
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged full United Nations support for Tunisia’s transition to democracy, hailing the country’s revolution as the spark that lit “the profound and dramatic changes” sweeping the Arab world.
“The United Nations is ready to provide all support to the Tunisian Government and people, particularly in the area of the electoral process and constitution drafting and helping the Tunisian Government to restore the rule of law and promote human rights, promote gender equality,” he said after meeting with Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis.
It was a message he repeated throughout the day, from an address to civil society to a news conference in Tunis.
“You, the brave people of Tunisia, have led the way. You are the vanguard of the most epic events of the new century – the revolutions of 2011,” he told civil society leaders, recalling the spark that led to Tunisia’s own revolution, the lone act of an ordinary young man, Mohamed Bouazizi, whose suicide out of despair for the affront to his sense of human dignity unleashed the events that toppled long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January
Mr. Bouazizi set himself on fire when police seized the fruit he was trying to sell in a country town to support his mother and siblings, setting off a wave of protests against long entrenched leaders that rippled out ever further from North Africa across the Arab world and even beyond.
“‘No more,’ he said,” Mr. Ban declared. “His cry resonated so widely that Tunisia and the rest of the Arab world will never be the same. We must not forget the essential meaning of Mohamed Bouazizi’s death. It reminds us of something essential – a moral absolute: individuals matter.
Individual choices, individual commitment, individual worth, individual leadership.”
He stressed civil society’s role in promoting civic education, speaking out against corruption and abuse of power, pressing for good governance and reform “that is concrete, not cosmetic,” and fighting for women’s rights and full participation in politics and society.
“The United Nations stands ready to help. Our expertise covers the spectrum of challenges before you: supporting elections, building transparent and trustworthy institutions, reducing inequality, advancing inclusive development and creating jobs,” Mr. Ban said.
“For decades, the United Nations has been your partner. Today, in a new Tunisia, I hope we can prove ourselves an even better partner. And so I have instructed our entire UN team to engage not only with the new government but also the whole of civil society,” he added.
“Your leadership, your commitment can make Tunisia a model for the Arab world and all those who seek a new beginning. The region needs a prosperous, democratic Tunisia. And the world needs a prosperous, democratic region, a region whose rulers listen to their people, where human rights are respected and justice is served, where national wealth and human capital are invested in education, science and better living standards for all, where girls can dream, where conflict gives way to peace. This history is yours to write.”
At his news conference Mr. Ban praised Tunisia for “its enormous generosity” in helping scores of thousands of people who fled across the border from Libya, where Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi has unleashed his air force, army and navy against what started out as mass protests by peaceful civilians demanding his ouster.
“You organized an effective humanitarian response almost overnight, and you deserve great credit. You have shown real compassion to refugees and returnees facing hardship and we are grateful for all that you have done.”
Mr. Ban, who arrived in Tunisia from Egypt, where the revolution that ousted long-time president Hosni Mubarak was also largely peaceful, leaves for New York tomorrow.