Printemps arabe

The assassination in February of Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid drew worldwide condemnation as a dangerous detour on Tunisia's path to democracy. It seemed further proof that the flower of the Arab Spring has become wilted.

But despite the violence, efforts continue to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the region. As Jean-Claude Mignon – president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe – proclaimed at the time: The assassination "will not lessen the resolve of the Tunisian people to consolidate democracy and the rule of law."

Several Council of Europe initiatives – in March alone this year – reflect continued resolve.

Members of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly met in Rabat to assess the progress of reforms in Morocco. The Council of Europe held a launching conference of a new School of Political Studies in Rabat. Also in Rabat, Council of Europe drug policy experts organised a round table for a national drug prevention strategy in Morocco. Societal challenges like drug abuse can be more threatening in times of transition.

In Tunis, representatives of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission – an independent group of legal experts who hold four annual plenary sessions there – participated in a symposium on reforming Tunisia's judiciary, focusing on its independence. Members of Tunisia's Constituent Assembly meet regularly with Venice Commission representatives to assess progress for the country's new constitution.

But challenges remain formidable.

The Arab Spring uprisings that ousted dictators and ushered in democratic reforms such as free elections gave women hope that they, too, would see an end to discrimination. But with the rise of Islamist parties, such hope seems also threatened.

In August last year, thousands of Tunisians protested moves by the Islamist-led government which had proposed a draft constitution referring to women as "complementary to men". But that language was subsequently removed.

When Tunisia won its first women's medal at the 2012 Olympics, conservative Muslims objected to the attire worn by 3,000-meter steeplechase silver-medallist Habiba Ghribi. Women's sport is drawn into the debate on the future role of women in society.

Women across the region are playing essential roles to build more open and democratic societies. Women journalists raise awareness of sensitive issues, asking tough questions and holding decision-makers to account.

For Farah Samti, a young journalist with Tunisia Live who visited the Council of Europe late last year, the outlook is better than one may think.

‘I think civil society is doing a great job putting a lot of pressure on the government,' she said in a telephone interview in March 2013. ‘Constant pressure from civil society has been really reassuring for women.'

By offering a platform to speak out for women's rights, the Council of Europe is playing its part to keep women's rights in Arab Spring countries on the agenda (see below).

One recent example was the participation of Simona Granata-Menghini, Deputy Secretary of the Venice Commission, recently moderating an exchange of views on "Being a woman in politics: the cross-experience of women MPs from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya."

Throughout 2012, the Venice Commission – which had played such a key role for the new democracies of the former Communist Bloc after the fall of the Berlin Wall – has been involved in fruitful co-operation with authorities in Tunisia and Morocco for these countries' new constitutions. As a result, such work by the Commission in helping to build democratic institutions, promote constitutional justice and free and fair elections has attracted the attention of other countries in the region, including Jordan and Libya.

The latest developments of the Arab Spring will be highlighted when Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki is expected to address the April session of the Parliamentary Assembly.

The multiple efforts of the Council of Europe to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law along the borders of Europe continue. For earlier information on such efforts, please read on and click the adjoining links.