Yadh Ben Achour

Born in 1945 in La Marsa, Yadh Ben Achour is a Tunisian jurist specializing in Islamic political theory.  He  hails from a theological background, as Ben Achour’s father is the late Mohamed Fadhel Ben Achour, a great religious figure in Tunisia who held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Theology at the former University of Zaytuna, and who later became a Mufti.

Ben Achour completed primary and secondary school in Tunis, before enrolling in the University of Paris, where he received a Master’s of Law, a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Public Law, a Diploma of Higher Studies in Political Science, and later a PhD in Law in 1974.  After completing his education, Ben Achour held several prestigious academic positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Political, and Social Sciences of Tunis (1993-1999).

During the presidency of the late Habib Bourguiba, Ben Achour was appointed a member of the Economic and Social Council, and he later was appointed by the ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as a member of the Constitutional Court in 1991.  He resigned from this position in 1992, however, when the former Tunisian President sought to impose a law designed to stifle the Tunisian League for Human Rights.  Ben Achour’s inflammatory letter of resignation almost resulted in his exile.  Moreover, during the period of Ben Ali’s governance, Ben Achour was one of the ex-President’s more outspoken opponents.

Ben Achour was appointed head of the High Authority for the Achievement of the Revolution Objectives (HAARO) — the commission responsible for constitutional reform post-revolution — by Mohamed Ghannouchi on January 17th, 2011.  He also  joined the blog scene in January of 2011, and you can access his blog here.

In an interview with Assabah newspaper conducted on September 7th, Ben Achour emphasized that the implementation of fair and successful elections on October 23rd currently tops the agenda of the HAARO, and that a positive impression of Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi will set the stage for an optimal environment in which the first pluralistic elections in the history of Tunisia — and in the Arab world as a whole — can be organized.

To organize transparent elections that best reflect the will of Tunisian citizens, the head of the HAARO stressed that collaboration among political parties, civil society, the military, and the goverment will facilitate a smooth execution.  In the midst of the uncertainty, divisions, and turmoil that have gripped the political scene, Yadh Ben Achour also announced that he has embarked on an intense effort to bring divergent opinions to the table to guarantee that the elections take place in a comfortable climate, which will fulfill the expectations of the multifaceted Tunisian public.

Ben Achour has faced some criticism from Tunisian politicians — such as Ziad al Doulatli, spokesman of Ennahdha — who have accused him of demonstrating, “Francophone and secular leanings,” as well as of displaying hostility towards religion.  Moreover, Judge Mokhtar Yahyaoui of the HAARO recently accused Ben Achour of being responsible for the withdrawal or suspension of membership of several parties from the HAARO.  On July 14th, Yahyaoui asked Ben Achour to announce his resignation from the HAARO, and in response Ben Achour expressed his willingness to quit his position if the HAARO board decided that it was necessary.  He remained in his position, however, and later declared that after his responsibilities conclude post-elections, he plans to leave the political scene.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yadh_Ben_Achour

http://www.leaders.com.tn/article/yadh-ben-achourhttp://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/08/10/yadh-ben-achour-to-al-chorouk-some-want-to-put-haaro-down/

http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/08/06/supporting-the-consensus-between-poltical-parties-for-the-sake-of-the-common-interest/

http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/08/10/yadh-ben-achour-to-al-chorouk-some-want-to-put-haaro-down/

http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/07/15/ben-achour-i-will-step-down-if-the-haaro-says-so/