This resolution commends the people of Tunisia for their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and free elections, and encourages Tunisia's political leaders to work together to accelerate economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. It also calls on the government to fully implement the Tunisian Constitution of 2014, which includes protections for civil liberties and the establishment of the Constitutional Court.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 458 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 458
Reaffirming the strong partnership between Tunisia and the United
States and supporting the people of Tunisia in their continued pursuit
of democratic reforms.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 24, 2019
Mr. Deutch (for himself, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Hastings,
and Mr. Schweikert) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Reaffirming the strong partnership between Tunisia and the United
States and supporting the people of Tunisia in their continued pursuit
of democratic reforms.
Whereas relations between the United States and Tunisia began in 1795, and the 2
countries have partnered in trade and security since the signing of the
Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed at Tunis, August 28, 1797;
Whereas the United States was the first major power to recognize a sovereign
Tunisia, following its independence from France in 1956;
Whereas the people of the United States and of Tunisia share core values, such
as respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law;
Whereas, on January 14, 2011, the peaceful mass protests of the Jasmine
Revolution successfully brought to an end the authoritarian rule of
President Ben Ali;
Whereas, in the aftermath of Ben Ali's resignation, Tunisians--
(1) initiated a peaceful, consensus-based, and inclusive transition to
democracy;
(2) held the first competitive, multi-party democratic elections of the
2011 Arab Spring;
(3) adopted a new constitution in 2014; and
(4) held new elections under that constitution later that year;
Whereas, on December 31, 2014, after winning a free and fair presidential
election, Beji Caid Essebsi was inaugurated as the first freely elected
President of Tunisia;
Whereas, on October 9, 2015, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Tunisian
National Dialogue Quartet, a coalition of 4 civil society organizations,
the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for the coalition's work--
(1) building on the promise of the 2011 Jasmine Revolution; and
(2) ensuring that the transition of Tunisia into a democracy did not
descend into violence or renewed authoritarianism;
Whereas Tunisia has been the only North African country to achieve a ``Free''
rating by the Freedom House's annual Freedom in the World report, and
has maintained a ``Free'' rating since 2015;
Whereas the political evolution of Tunisia stands as an inspiration for citizens
of other states aspiring to establish the institutions of democracy
after a history of autocratic rule;
Whereas Tunisia suffered significant terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016;
Whereas, on October 29, 2018, a terrorist attack on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in
Tunis wounded 20 people and was perpetrated by an unemployed university
graduate who had been unemployed for 3 years and had no known ties to
terrorist groups;
Whereas, in the aftermath of these attacks, citizens and leaders of Tunisia have
reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, pluralism, and democracy;
Whereas a significant number of Tunisian fighters for extremist groups,
including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) reportedly returned
to Tunisia, many clandestinely, between 2011 and 2018;
Whereas Tunisia continues to face serious threats to its security from violent
extremist groups operating within the country as well as in neighboring
countries;
Whereas, in July 2015, President Obama designated Tunisia as a major non-NATO
ally;
Whereas Tunisia has committed approximately 15 percent of its budget to defense
and interior ministries for counterterrorism in recent years, at the
expense of economic and social development;
Whereas Tunisia faces economic challenges, including high inflation and high
unemployment, especially among young Tunisians;
Whereas the United States Government is committed to continuing a strong
economic partnership with Tunisia as its government undertakes reforms
to transform its economy to meet the aspirations of all of the citizens
of Tunisia;
Whereas it is in the interest of the United States, and consistent with the
values of the United States, to support the aspirations of the people of
Tunisia in developing a pluralist democracy and transparent, effective
institutions;
Whereas, in accordance with the United States-Tunisia strategic partnership,
both countries are dedicated to working together to promote--
(1) economic development and business opportunities in Tunisia;
(2) education for the advancement of long-term development in Tunisia;
and
(3) increased security cooperation to address common threats in Tunisia
and across the region; and
Whereas the United States Government should provide a level of funding to
strongly assist and reinforce Tunisia's promising transition into a
democratic, stable, and prosperous nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the people of Tunisia for their commitment to
democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections;
(2) commends the political leaders of Tunisia for their
willingness to compromise and work together in the national
interest;
(3) condemns all acts of terrorism, and extends condolences
to the families of victims of terrorism and to the people and
Government of Tunisia;
(4) commends the people and Government of Tunisia for their
resilience in the face of terrorist attacks and their enduring
commitment to a free, democratic, and peaceful Republic of
Tunisia;
(5) encourages President Essebi, Head of Government Chahed,
and the Parliament of Tunisia to work together to accelerate
economic reforms and anti-corruption measures;
(6) looks forward to new free and fair parliamentary and
presidential elections scheduled for the last several months of
2019;
(7) calls on the Government of Tunisia--
(A) to fully implement the Tunisian Constitution of
2014, including the protection of civil liberties and
the establishment of new institutions, such as the
Constitutional Court;
(B) to continue its commitment to democratic
accountability and transitional justice, including with
regard to corruption;
(C) to continue decentralizing political power to
local governments, which is a key step toward more
accountable governance and a means to address long-
standing issues of dramatic regional disparity in
health care, education, poverty, and infrastructure;
and
(D) to further develop its plan to identify,
prosecute, deradicalize, or reintegrate into society
Tunisian fighters returned from abroad;
(8) calls on the United States Government to provide
appropriate levels of assistance to Tunisia to--
(A) support democracy and civil society;
(B) strengthen and reform the security sector;
(C) reduce corruption, implement economic reforms,
promote trade and investment, and maintain important
and meaningful labor protections; and
(D) support increased border security by enhancing
Tunisia's capabilities to detect, identify, and
interdict illicit trafficking of weapons through
intensive training and equipment donation;
(9) calls on the neighbors and partners of Tunisia to work
cooperatively with the Government of Tunisia to counter
terrorist threats, secure borders, and support the democratic
transition of Tunisia;
(10) reaffirms the national interest of the United States
in continued 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 and freedom of speech;
(11) 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;
(12) reaffirms the commitment of the United States
Government to Tunisia, including a commitment to provide
appropriate levels of assistance, in support of the ongoing
transition of Tunisia to an inclusive, prosperous, and secure
democracy;
(13) recognizes important partnerships, including--
(A) the U.S.-Tunisia Strategic Dialogue;
(B) the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Military Commission;
(C) the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Economic Commission;
(D) the Tunisian American Enterprise Fund; and
(E) international educational exchange programs,
including the Fulbright Program and the Thomas
Jefferson Scholars Program;
(14) urges increased United States engagement and
cooperation with the people and Government of Tunisia,
including--
(A) Tunisia's democratic institutions;
(B) civil society;
(C) schools and universities;
(D) independent media; and
(E) the private sector; and
(15) reaffirms the historic and continuing friendship
between the people of the United States and the people of
Tunisia.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
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