Three Cheers for Tunisia's Revolutionary Constitution!

This week, Tunisia passed a truly historic constitution widely heralded as a progressive and monumental document.

 

Here's just some of what these brave elected representatives agreed upon in the face of strong pressure from the more extreme factions of their parties:

• Guaranteed equality between men and women
• A constitutional mandate for environmental protection, only the third country in the world to do so
• A declaration that health care is a human right, with preventative care and treatment for every citizen
• A democracy with civil laws that respects freedom of religion 
• An established right to due process and protection from torture

In one stroke, Tunisia's become more democratic than many Western countries have been for years. 

This is a revolution of democracy and a great victory for human rights — and the more we recognize that, the more Tunisia can shine as an example for the Western and the Arab world!

MESSAGE FOR TUNISIAN LEGISLATORS: We , the citizens of the world, applaud your bravery in making a strong commitment to universal human values in your constitution. People deprived of democracy around the world look to you to set the example of human rights and democratic principle — hold true to the promises made in this revolutionary document!