The Arab Spring appeared as a wave of democratization of the MENA region, but the political contexts that have emerged from the revolution(s) differ greatly. As this transition is still in motion, attention has turned to Tunisia and Egypt. The question of justice is central to the construction of new social contracts, the (re-) equilibrium of political powers and a pre-requisite to insure political stability. Both countries have implemented new constitutions and started the process of transitional justice by various means. The Tunisian Government, under the leadership of the Islamist party, has enacted a law related to the transitional justice and create a commission for “Truth and Dignity” to support this process; but the network of nepotism and corruption grown during the Ben Ali era remain, as well as the use of torture by the police. In Egypt, the new constitution enacted in 2014 failed in preventing the return of authoritarian rule. Since the military take over in July 2013, the General-President Sisi “justice apparatus” has sentenced to life prison terms or death leaders the Muslim Brotherhood including President Morsi (ousted in July 2013) and hundreds of protesters arrested during the outbreak against Mubarak. From constitution making, to transitional justice and reconciliation this conference aims at examining the success and failure of the democratization process by explaining the stakes and possible outcomes of transitional justice in both countries.

October 2, Villa Sassetti
9:45 AM - 1:00 PM Reckoning the Past and the Present: Transitional Justice in Post-Revolutionary Tunisia
Opening and Welcome speech Ellyn Toscano, NYU Florence Executive Director
Sayida Ounissi, Member of the Tunisian Parliament, Ennahda Party
Ghofrane Ounissi, Jasmine Foundation, Tunisia
Discussant: Luigi Narbone, European External Action Service and Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, European University Institute

2:30 PM - 6:00 PM Misplaced Constitution: Law and Justice in Post-Revolutionnary Egypt
Alexis Blouet, University La Sorbonne, Paris
Amr Shalakany, American University of Cairo
Discussant: Jennifer Welsh, European University Institute and Somerville College Oxford
Keynote Speech: Olivier Roy, Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, European University Institute
Chair: Sophie Lemiere, Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, European University Institute and NYU Florence