Press release
Cairo:16/1/2003

EOHR holds Symposium on US-Middle East Partnership Initiative

On 15 January 2003, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) held a symposium entitled ‘View from inside for the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative’. More than 30 people representing political parties, NGOs concerned with human rights and women’s rights, academics and journalists participated in the meeting.

A range of views regarding the Initiative were expressed, from those advocating its rejection, to those calling on the necessity of handling it objectively in light of the current changes that have been occurring at both the national and international level and within the US itself.

The symposium debate highlighted that effective democratic reform was a legitimate and urgent demand and that it had been on the agenda long before Colin Powell’s Initiative. It was also argued that many different political groups and NGOs are struggling to disseminate the notion of the free democratic choice as democracy is the most efficient way to achieve the peaceful handling of power and to promote a widespread culture of tolerance and the freedom of expression. Democracy was considered by the Symposium as the most effective method that should be adopted by the various intellectual and political currents in order to be able to fully express its ideologies and implement its main priorities.

The Symposium rejected the view that Initiative discussions be confined to an either/or approach. That is, accepting the Initiative of democracy imposed from outside or accepting the current lack of democracy. It was agreed that other approaches were available which centered on the democratic struggle to disseminate a culture of diversity, dialogue, accountability and transparency. Finally, the Symposium attendants expressed their desire to continue a dialogue on this significant issue.

EOHR will shortly release a comprehensive report on the Symposium. The report will include the main issues discussed, different visions of the Initiative and the requirements of democratic reform in Egypt.