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.

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.”

READ MORE: At least 38 killed as gunmen attack beach outside 2 tourist hotels in Tunisia

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.