The Nobel Peace Prize decision

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday in Oslo, Norway that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2015 is to be awarded to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of The Quartet was formed in the summer of 2013 when the process for creating a democracy was in danger of collapsing as a result of political assassinations and widespread chaos. It established a peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war. It was thus instrumental in enabling Tunisia, in the space of a few years, to establish a constitutional system of government guaranteeing fundamental rights for the entire population, irrespective of gender, political philosophy or religious belief. Nominations are considered by the Nobel Committee at a meeting where a short list of candidates for further review is created. This short list is then considered by advisers to the Committee (those who are considered experts in subject areas relating to the prize). Based on the advice of those experts, the Committee selects the winner.

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