On September 24, as part of his visit to NYU Law, Tunisian President Dr. Moncef Marzouki graciously agreed to meet with the student researchers of the Constitutional Transitions Clinic. The meeting included a discussion of his campaign to establish an International Constitutional Court. The students were also given an opportunity to ask the President questions about the latest dynamics in Tunisia’s rapidly evolving political situation. President Marzouki spent 45 minutes in the private session with the students. Also in attendance were senior legal advisors to the President, members of Tunisia’s mission to the United Nations, and a member of Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly.

During the session, President Marzouki and the students discussed the International Constitutional Court (ICC) proposal, which envisions the creation of a supranational body that would serve as a court of last resort for claims that legislation or other state action violates international norms pertaining to democracy and good governance. The discussion touched on the proposed method for selecting the ICC’s judges, and the ICC’s potential utility as a preventive measure against dictatorship. The students also asked questions about Tunisia’s constitution-making process, and the Constituent Assembly representative briefed the students on the current constitutional negotiations, explaining that the Assembly’s commitment to reaching full consensus on the draft constitution required Assembly members from widely varying backgrounds to closely cooperate and compromise on topics under consideration.

The meeting marks the second time that Constitutional Transitions Clinic students have had the privilege of meeting with President Marzouki. In April 2013, last year’s student researchers travelled to Tunisia where they were granted a private audience with the President at the Presidential Palace in Carthage, Tunisia.

Related: 

CT and NYU Law Host President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki of Tunisia
(24 September 2013)

CT Researchers Meet with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki
(10 April 2013)