Final Draft of Preamble to 2012 Tunisian Constitution--English Translation by Tunisia Live

This finalized draft of the preamble to the 2012 Tunisian Constitution was translated by Tunisia Live staff and is based on the official Arabic version, which was released by Constituent Assembly members on 4 June 2012:

We, the deputies of the Tunisian People, members of the National Constituent Assembly, elected through the merits of the Revolution of dignity, freedom, and justice,

With pride for our people’s struggle, and in response to the aims of the revolution — which was the culmination of the battle for liberation from colonialism and tyranny, and which accomplished a victory for the will for freedom — and out of loyalty to the martyrs and to the sacrifices of successive generations, and for the sake of a final break from oppression and corruption,

Founded on the fundamentals of Islam and its open and moderate aims, and on the lofty and humanistic values inspired by the civilizational accomplishments of the Tunisian People, which are the fruit of consecutive stages of [the Tunisian people's] history, and from their reformist movement based on the fundamentals of their Arab-Muslim identity, and from universal civilizational accomplishments, and adhering to their [the Tunisian People’s] national achievements,

For the sake of building a participatory, democratic, republican system, comprised of a civil state based on institutions, and where the power of the people would be realized on the basis of a peaceful alternation of power, and on the principle of a separation and balance of power, and with the right to govern founded on plurality, administrative neutrality, enlightened governance, and free elections, which are the key elements of political debate, where power would be based on the respect of human rights, the supremacy of the law, the independence of the Judiciary, and on justice and equality in rights and responsibilities among all citizens, and among all groups and regions,

In harmony with the environment, with a care that guarantees to future generations the continuation of a secure life for a better future,

Building upon Mankind’s status as a dignified being, in harmony with cultural and civilizational affiliation with the umma, starting from national unity based on citizenry, fraternity, and societal solidarity, and working to establish Maghreb unity as a step toward achieving Arab unity, and toward the integration of Muslim peoples, in cooperation with the peoples of the world, and to serve justice for all those oppressed, and to grant individuals the right to determine their fates, and for the movements for rightful liberation, at the forefront of which is the liberation of Palestine,

Supporting the People’s will to be creators of their own history, striving for innovation, while remaining open to cultural contributions, on the basis of peace and human solidarity, and on the sovereignty of national decree.

We, in the name of the people, and with the blessing of God, draft this constitution.

[This article was originally published on Tunisia Live]