S.Res. 316 (112th): A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Tunisia’s peaceful Jasmine Revolution.

SRES 316 RS

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Tunisia’s peaceful Jasmine Revolution.

November 8, 2011

Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. KERRY, and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

December 1, 2011

Reported by Mr. KERRY, without amendment and with an amendment to the preamble

[Strike the preamble and insert the part printed in italic]

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Tunisia’s peaceful Jasmine Revolution.

[Struck out->] Whereas, on January 14, 2011, a peaceful mass protest movement in Tunisia successfully brought to an end the authoritarian rule of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas Tunisia’s peaceful ‘Jasmine Revolution’ was the first of several movements throughout the Middle East and North Africa and inspired democracy and human rights activists throughout the region and around the world; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas Tunisia, in the wake of Ben Ali’s resignation, began a transition to democracy that has been broadly inclusive, consensus-based, and civilian-led; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas, on October 23, 2011, Tunisia conducted the first competitive, multi-party democratic election of the Arab Spring, which involved dozens of political parties and hundreds of independent candidates competing for a 217-member National Constituent Assembly; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas more than 50 percent of all eligible voters and nearly 90 percent of registered voters participated in the October 23 election; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas Tunisia’s Independent Electoral Commission welcomed and accredited a robust domestic and international election observer presence, including 3 independent delegations from the United States; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas election observers have broadly praised the October 23 election as free, fair, and consistent with international standards; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas roughly 25 percent of the seat in the National Constituent Assembly were won by women; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas the newly-elected National Constituent Assembly is tasked with drafting a new constitution to guide Tunisia’s transition towards a representative democracy that reflects the aspirations of the Tunisian people; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas the Jasmine Revolution was largely a reaction to long-accumulated economic grievances, ongoing high unemployment and poor economic conditions sustain the potential to drive future political protestations; [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas the United States and Tunisia have enjoyed friendly relations for more than 200 years; and [<-Struck out]

[Struck out->] Whereas the United States was among the first countries to recognize Tunisian independence in 1956: Now, therefore, be it [<-Struck out]

Whereas on January 14, 2011, a peaceful mass protest movement in Tunisia successfully brought to an end the authoritarian rule of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali;

Whereas Tunisia’s peaceful ‘Jasmine Revolution’ was the first of several movements throughout the Middle East and North Africa and inspired democracy and human rights activists throughout the region and around the world;

Whereas Tunisia, in the wake of Ben Ali’s resignation, began a transition to democracy that has been broadly inclusive, consensus-based, and civilian-led;

Whereas on October 23, 2011, Tunisia conducted the first competitive, multi-party democratic election of the Arab Spring, which involved dozens of political parties and hundreds of independent candidates competing for a 217-member National Constituent Assembly;

Whereas more than 50 percent of all eligible voters and nearly 90 percent of registered voters participated in the October 23 election;

Whereas Tunisia’s Independent Electoral Commission welcomed and accredited a robust domestic and international election observer presence, including 3 independent delegations from the United States;

Whereas election observers have broadly characterized the October 23 election as free, fair, and consistent with international standards;

Whereas roughly 25 percent of the seats in the National Constituent Assembly were won by women;

Whereas the newly-elected National Constituent Assembly is tasked with drafting a new constitution to guide Tunisia’s transition towards a representative democracy that reflects the aspirations of the Tunisian people;

Whereas the Jasmine Revolution was largely a reaction to long-accumulated economic grievances, and ongoing high unemployment and poor economic conditions sustain the potential to drive future political protestations;

Whereas the United States and Tunisia have enjoyed friendly relations for more than 200 years; and

Whereas the United States was among the first countries to recognize Tunisian independence in 1956: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) congratulates the people of Tunisia for holding, on October 23, 2011, the first competitive, multi-party democratic elections since the outbreak of popular revolutions throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011;

(2) commends the Tunisian independent electoral commission for--

(A) successfully conducting a free, fair, transparent, and credible election on October 23, 2011; and

(B) welcoming independent international and domestic election observers and granting them unrestricted access to polling and counting stations;

(3) congratulates all newly-elected members, and the parties with which they are affiliated, of the National Democratic Constituent Assembly;

(4) affirms the national interest of the United States in a successful and irreversible transition to democracy in Tunisia, including--

(A) respect for the rule of law;

(B) independent media;

(C) a vibrant civil society; and

(D) universal rights and freedoms, including equal rights for all citizens, freedom of speech, and human rights;

(5) affirms the national interest of the United States in Tunisia’s economic prosperity and development, including through increased foreign direct investment, tourism, entrepreneurship, technical cooperation, and strengthened trade ties;

(6) urges increased United States engagement and cooperation with the Tunisian government and people, including--

(A) Tunisia’s democratic institutions;

(B) civil society;

(C) schools and universities;

(D) independent media; and

(E) the private sector; and

(7) reaffirms the unwavering friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Tunisia.

Calendar No. 248

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Tunisia’s peaceful Jasmine Revolution.

December 1, 2011

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