Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “Three years since the Arab Spring began, Tunisia is at a crucial crossroads in its democratic transition. The country has been enmeshed in a political stalemate, and growing internal and external security challenges further complicate the tenuous political process. A democratic Tunisia would not only be a model for other countries in this volatile region, but a failure to make this transition would have grave consequences for the security interests of the U.S. and other nations in the region. This hearing will examine the status of the transition and what the U.S. and other organizations are doing to promote democracy and civil society at this critical juncture in Tunisia’s history.”

Opening Statements

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman
[full text of opening statement]

Witnesses

Mr. Scott Mastic
Regional Director
Middle East and North Africa
International Republican Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Leslie Campbell
Senior Associate and Regional Director
Middle East and North Africa
National Democratic Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Bill Sweeney
President and Chief Executive Officer
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]
____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)