Human rights and democracy in North Africa : challenges for change

Abstract

The view that human rights and democracy are not in synch with the Arab ‘forma mentis’ or that these concepts are inimical to, or in tension with, Arab religious values or cultural norms (a view often termed as Arab exceptionalism) was clearly and unequivocally refuted by the Arab protestors in the streets of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The same view is coming through from Syria where an authoritarian regime has resorted to naked, brutal force to hold on to power. Arab, European and American diplomats, politicians and religious leaders, who claimed that democracy and human rights are Western impositions, have been shown to be either wrong or deceitful.