Ibn Khaldun Center - Confence on Reformation and Democracy

Cairo, 30 June 2004

After two days of deliberation among more than one hundred Arabs and Egyptians who attended the Conference on Reformation and Democracy organised by the Ibn Khaldun Center and held at its premises in Cairo, the participants emphasized that the issue of reform has become a matter of Egyptian and Arab national security that should not be postponed, or delayed under any excuse. The participants also reviewed the deterioration of the situation throughout the Arab and Islamic countries and attributed such deterioration to the existence of authoritarian regimes which led in turn to the emergence of extremists and fanatics. Extremists paved the way for external powers to penetrate the region. Authoritarian rulers have for the last five decades ignored and disregarded the persistent call of their people for democratic reforms. In view of this situation, the participants in the Conference declare and assert the following:

First: - Political reform is the only path for a comprehensive societal renewal in both Egypt and the Arab world.

Second: - The true beginning for political reform should commence with the amendment of the Egyptian Constitution, especially its articles which pertain to the selection of the President and the Vice President?which ought to be through direct competitive elections.
A) Moreover, a president should preside for no more than one 6-year term, or, alternatively, for only two successive four-year terms.
B) Article 74 of the Egyptian Constitution should be abolished since it provides the President with sweeping and absolute powers?a condition which is totally inimical to democratic principles.
C) There should also be a clear separation between the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches of government with special emphasis on the independence of the judiciary. In addition, the Ministry of Justice should refrain from exerting any pressure or influence on judges.

Third:- The state of emergency should be lifted and all laws which restrict public freedoms should be eliminated. Thus the government must clearly acknowledge the fundamental right of citizens to establish without restriction political parties, associations, syndicates, and the instruments of mass media. The judiciary should be the only responsible institution for setting the rules and limits to the practice of such freedoms.

Fourth:-It is necessary to heed the example of other countries which have successfully separated military from civil institutions, and their successful efforts at democratizing and containing radical religious currents. In addition it is essential that the government take the initiative in adopting policies of reconciliation, and bringing together for serious consideration the ideas and views of the various political trends and forces, as has been done, with laudable results, in several other countries, such as Turkey, India and South Africa.

Fifth:- We call on all Arab people to pressure their governments to undertake political reform through the use of legitimate means, such as non-violent demonstrations, strikes and civil disobedience?all of which are internationally recognized legal rights.

Sixth:-We call on all institutions of civil society as well as on all Egyptian political forces to collaborate with regional and international institutions to find common ground that would permit independent action by each Arab country to pressure for reform. This should be done in Egypt before the current presidential term ends in September 2005, and before the forthcoming parliamentary elections, due in November 2005. This will help prevent attempts that seek to distort the will of the Egyptian people. In that connection, we declare our categorical rejection of power inheritance in Egypt.

Seventh:- We emphasize the importance of the free flow of information, and the independence of the media from state intervention and control. We also call upon the states security forces to cease its continued forgery of public awareness in its attempt to distract it from focusing on the pressing issues which are presently facing the nation.

Eight:- We refuse taking the regions religious and cultural specificity as an excuse to decrease or marginalize the fundamental universal principles of good governance, democracy, and basic human rights regardless of gender, race or religion. We recognize and assert that it is those universal principles that foster and enhance citizens feelings of dignity, pride, and equality and underscore the necessity of their participation in administrating the affairs of their country based on norms that uphold accountability and transparency. These values are to be recognized as the outcome of the process of the interaction of and communication between civilizations and cultures throughout history. Indeed, the proper understanding of Islam recognizes and strongly advocates these universal values.

Ninth:- We propose to follow and give substance to these recommendations by establishing an independent committee to coordinate among the various political forces that are demanding change. This committee is to be elected publicly in an atmosphere of transparency at a national conference with the objective of assembling and enhancing efforts exerted by different currents to implement reform. This could be achieved in collaboration with newly established institutions such as the Committee for Defending Democracy and the network of Egyptian organizations for human rights.
The regional and international weight of Egypt will depend largely on its ability to become a model society for the region. Egypt would not attain a status of any consequence without having a democratic system, an open society and a free people. Let us unite to make this project a reality.