No alternative to political solution for Truth and Dignity Commission crisis, says Islamist politician

There is no alternative to political dialogue to solve the crisis of the extended mission of the Truth and Dignity Commission, which is dedicated to the establishment of transitional justice, a leading member of Ennahda Movement has told Quds Press.

“The decision of the Tunisian parliament not to extend the Truth and Dignity Commission’s mission is not final and does not solve the problem,” explained Abdelhamid Jlassi. “The crisis of the mission extension for the Commission reflects the nature of the political movement the country is experiencing, and it reduces the deep political disagreement not only among the Commission’s members but also among the different sections of the whole political arena.”

He pointed out that the course of transitional justice has gone a long way in solving thousands of matters, and the Commission is about to finish its tasks and it is difficult to turn against them. He ruled out any possibility of a reversal in the process of democratic transition, and a coup against the whole democratic process.

“The concerns raised by some about the possibility of going backwards and repeating coup scenarios against the Islamists as partners in the government are not serious concerns,” insisted the Ennahda Shura Council member. “This is not likely to happen in Tunisia, which is governed by consensus.”

Read: Tunisia’s Ennahda calls on all factions to commit to a stable government

On Wednesday, the General Tunisian Labour Union called for a careful dialogue that would pull the rug out from under the feet of those who want to sacrifice constitutional principles, and guarantee the recognition of rights and accountability to the principle of justice. The Union also wants to protect the Truth and Dignity Commission from exploitation and re-constitute it on an independent basis.

The Union said that the situation in which the Commission finds itself is an old crisis that was linked to the political clashes that governed its formation in the first place. A press statement pointed out that the Union has called for the Commission to be revised so that it is neither a tool to bury transitional justice nor a mechanism for discrimination.