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26 Septembre 2006

Open Letter to President Bush re: democracy promotion

Name Organization Country

1 Radwan Masmoudi, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, USA

2. Aly R. Abuzaakuk, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, USA
3. Sherif Mansour, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, USA/Egypt
4. Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni, President of Center Moroccan of Human Rights, Morocco
5. Qamar-Ul Huda, United States Institute of Peace, USA
6. Anwar N. Haddam, Liberty & Social Justice Movement, Algeria
7. Randa Slim, International Institute for Sustained Dialogue (IISD), USA
8. Abdelwahab El-Affendi, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster, UK
9. Ibrahim M. Hussein, Alliance of Egyptian Americans, USA
10. Najah Kadhim, International Forum for Islamic Dialogue, UK
11. Abdelazim Mahmoud Hanafi, Kenana Center for Research and Studies, Egypt
12. Najib Ghadbian, University of Arkansas, US / Syria
13. Anna Mahjar Barducci, Middle East Media Research Institute, Italy-Morocco
14. Malath Arar, GE Infra, Energy, USA
15. Ahmed Subhy Mansour, International Quranic Center, USA / Egypt
16. Ahmed Shabaan, ICDS, Egypt
17. Abbas H.Rahi, Iraqi Organization for Rehabilitating Society and Environment, Iraq
19. Amr Tharwat, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, Egypt
22. Haytham Mouzahem, Independent Researcher and Journalist, Egypt
23. Ibrahim Dadi, Islamic Thinker, Algeria
24. Othman Mohamed Ali, Pharmacist and Islamic Researcher, Canada/Egypt
25. Adel Mohamed, Center for the Study of Islam, Egypt
26. Hamdi Shehab, Alwasiqa Center for Citizenship and H R, Egypt
27. Ahmed Farghali, Alwasiqa Center for Citizenship and H R, Egypt
28. Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, Egypt
29. Mohamed Allawzi, Activist, France
30. Hamdi Abdelaziz, Sawasia Center for Human Rights, Egypt
31. Ghassan Ali Othman, Islamic Researcher, Sudan
32. Mohieb Alarnaoti, Activist, Egypt
33. Safei-Eldin A. Hamed, Alliance of Egyptian Americans AEA, USA/Egypt
34. Marwa Abdelkader Helmi, Activist, Egypt
35. Mohamed Fawzi, Human Association for Development Studies, Egypt
36. Hazim Alluhaibi, President of the Iraqi National University, Iraq
37. Naiem A. Sherbiny, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, USA
38. Saeed Abdel Hafez Darwish, Forum for Development and Human Rights Dialogue, Egypt
39. Dhuha Rouhi, President of Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), Iraq
40. Ashur Shamis, Libya Human and Political Development Forum, Libya
41- Amr Hamzawy, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA/Egypt
42- Nadia Lachiri, Forum Des Femmes Marrocaines- MEKNES-, Morocco
43- Chedley Aouriri, Tunisian Community Center, USA
44- Hesham Abdelsalam Alsadr, Secretary-General of the Iraqi Civil Group, Iraq
46- Randa Al Zoghbi, Program Director for Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Egypt
47- Cankurd MD, Member of KDP-S and Kurdish PEN Club, Germany
48- Dr Mohamed Gamal Heshmat, University Prof & former PM, Egypt
49- Jamal E. Ryane, Global Migration and Gender Network Consultant, Netherlands
50- Omar M. Najib, Attorney At Law, USA
51- Ali Al-Ahmed, the Institute of Gulf Affairs, USA
52- Louay Safi, Syrian American Congress, USA
53- Shifa Garba, Zaymar Services, Nigeria
54- Faeza AlEbadi, The New Iraqi Women Association, Iraq
55. Hassan AlIbrahimi, Iraqi Human Rights Watch Association, Iraq
56. Omar Hisham Altalib, Minaret of Freedom Institute, USA
57. Bachir Edkhil, President of ALTER FORUM, Morocco
58. Amer AlAmir, Architict, Painter, & Writer, Canada/Iraq
59. Mohammad Harbi, Journalist, Egypt
60. Abdellatif Saied, Activist, Egypt
61. Amir Aldargi, Thinker, Norway/Iraq
62. Zaienab Alsellami, Women and the Future Association, Iraq
63. Shaza Nagi, Women for Peace, Iraq
64. Abeer Azzawi, Women for Peace, Iraq
65. Kawther Rahim, Human Rights and Civil Society organization, Wasit Province, Iraq

66. Hafez Ben Othman, Activist, Tunisia

67. Omar S’habou, Director of the new magazine « Le Maghreb », France

68. Sabry Fawzy Gohara, Surgeon and professor of surgery, USA
69. Mustapha Kamel Al-Sayyid, Professor, Cairo University, Egypt
70. Abdulmajid Biuk, Transparency Libya, USA/Libya
71. Mohamed Nabieh, Center for Developing Democratic Dialogue, Egypt
72. Said Galal, Activist, Egypt/Canda
73. Wagih Khair Ikladious, Rewak Ibn Khaldun Association, Egypt
74. Safia Fahassi, President of the Algerian Coordination of Families of Missing people, Algeria
75. Ibrahim AlHadari, Social and Environmental development Association, Egypt
76. Mohamed Hafiz Alhafiz, President of the Iraqi/Japanese Friendship Organization, Iraq
77. Sameer Jarrah, Arab World Center for Democratic Development, Jordan
78. Nadi Abou Zaher, Committee for International Complains (CIC), Palestine
79. Saleh Hadi, Association for Human Rights in Wasit, Iraq
80. Ibrahim Hussien, Egyptians Without Borders, USA/Egypt
81. Sayed Salem, Islamic Researcher, Palestine
82. Nuha Al Darwish, Model Iraqi Society Organization, Iraq
83. Mohamed Albadri, Egyptian Liberal Party, Egypt
84. Nesma Ahmed Ibrahim, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, Egypt
85. Mamdouh Nakhla, Alkalema Center for Human Rights, Egypt
86. Hatem Abdelhadi, Egyptian Writers Union, Egypt
87. Mohamed Youssef Bakeir, Economical Consultant, Egypt
88. Amal Mohey Eddin, Alwasat Islamic Party, Jordan
89. Alidrissi Omari Abdelmajid, Human Rights Activist, Singapore
90. Refaat Ismail, Independent Activist, Egypt.
91. Touria Khannous, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco
92. Sandra E. Parson, Independent Activist, USA
93. Wasef Tubishat, General Director, Democracy Watch, Jordan
94. Marwan Alfaouri, President of Alwasateya Forum, Jordan
95. Mohsen Ashri, Activist, Egypt
96. Mahmoudi Abdelkader, Egyptian Liberal Party, Egypt
97. Sami Bawalsa, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, USA/Jordan
98. Stuart Laughton, Musician, Canada
99. Tamer El-Tonsy, Activist, UK
100. Nor Ali, Businessman, Turkey

101. Khaled Chouket, Director of Centre to Support Democracy in the Arab World, Netherlands

102. Elhamy Elmeligi, Journalist and Activist, Egypt
103. Maytham Gaber Matar, High Commission for Civil Society Organizations in Diqaneya, Iraq
104. Emad Shahin, College Prof. at AUC, Egypt

Open Letter to President Bush re: democracy promotion

Dear Mr. President:

As Arab and Muslim intellectuals and activists concerned about the promotion of democracy in our region, we urge you to reaffirmin words and actions America ‘s commitment to sustained democratic reform in the Arab world. It is our belief that the main problem with U.S. policies in the Middle East (in particular in Iraq, Palestine, and elsewhere) is precisely their failure to live up to America s democratic ideals of liberty and justice for all. We have been heartened by the strong commitment to liberty you had expressed in your November 2003 speech at the National Endowment for Democracy and then your second inaugural address, when you said that « All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. »

Despite some initial skepticism, those statements nurtured hope in our region. We realize that democracy is not easily attained and must ultimately come from within. But it can receive encouragement and support, both of which it badly needs today in Arab countries. The minimum support the people of the region yearn for is precisely what you have undertaken in your NED speech: to break with 60 years of US support for non-democratic regimes in the region, and to make that known to the world in unequivocal terms. This would be more consistent with the principles of the United States, which has, since its birth, been intimately connected with the ideals of democratic governance enshrined in its founding documentsideals that speak to all generations and peoples everywhere.

We know that some in the United States, worried by recent Islamist gains among voters in Palestine and Egypt, are having doubts about the wisdom of pushing for freedom and democracy in the Middle East . These worries are exploited by despots in the region to perpetuate the untenable status quo. However, there is no way to advance liberty without inclusion of all elements that are willing to abide by democratic rules, and reject violence. Democratic participation is the only way to combat extremism and pressure all groups, including Islamists, to moderate their stance in order to maximize their share of the vote. The US should continue to press for an end to regime repression of democratically spirited liberal and Islamist groups, and to emphatically distance itself from such repression and condemn it in the strongest terms whenever and wherever it occurs. We are confident that if Arab citizens are able to have their choice, they will choose democracy, freedom, peace and progress.

A return to the pre-9/11 status quo is not the answer. It will only embolden ruling autocrats, hurt Arab reformers, and damage America ‘s credibility. In the end, it will probably strengthen the very forces that America fears. The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear even though the journey demands courage, patience, and perseverance.

Perhaps emboldened by the impression that America is wavering in its support for democracy, some autocrats have recently intensified repression. This makes the need for sustained U.S. and international support and pressure more urgent than ever. The region needs to hear again that the course of freedom and democracy is the only course which America, guided by both interest and principle, will support.

To mention but one case where U.S. influence may do much good, Egypt has lately seen a regime crackdown on opposition activists. In February, the government postponed municipal elections and renewed the emergency law. The regime has not even spared Egypt ‘ s venerable judiciary which has steadfastly proclaimed its independence in recent months. And liberal opposition politician Ayman Nour, who was allowed to run in last years presidential election and won 7.6% of the popular vote, second behind President Mubarak, was arrested and sentenced in a murky process to five years in jail. The health of Mr. Nour, a dear friend and colleague of many of us, continues to deteriorate. We pray that you will take his case to heart and let the Egyptian regime hear your concerns. Hundreds of other activists (including doctors, university professors, journalists and civil society activists) whose only crime was to express their desire for freedom, continue to languish in jail and suffer torture and police brutality. This brutality often included sexual molestation and public humiliation of women activists and journalists by pro-government thugs.

As you have argued, the war against terror and extremism can only be won by helping Middle Eastern countries reform their closed political systems. As societies become more open, citizens can voice their grievances through legitimate, democratic means, making them less likely to resort to violence. You are right to believe that democracy and pluralism point the way to peace and moderation.

We hope that you will consider our words, recall how much is at stake in the Arab world, and ponder how costly silence and mixed signals can be when freedom is under assault. We entreat you to do everything you can to ensure that a small number of authoritarian rulers will not control the future of more than 300 million Arabs, more than half of whom are not yet 20 years old. Freedom and democracy are the only way to build a world where violence is replaced by peaceful public debate and political participation, and despair is substituted by hope, tolerance and dignity.

Sincerely,