Arab world needs change

We must respect, protect our Constitution
THE RECENT Tunisian uprising, which resulted in the overthrowing of president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali’s government and his fleeing to Saudi Arabia, must be seriously studied by many neighboring countries and their regimes. There is a possibility that a similar uprising might be staged by the younger generation in many similarly boiling Arab countries, given the global financial crisis which is affecting the Arab world, the high rate of unemployment among the educated, political and economic unrest, high rate of corruption, no transparency in spending, lack of equal opportunities and weak freedom of expression.

The region requires a strong wave of change, since there are many regimes like the Tunisian regime which due to their unpopularity, use army to stay in power with continuous support of many international superpowers. There should be a systematic approach towards reforms instead of allowing reforms to take place on their own by people’s cries for change which are sometimes louder than cannons.

The incidents in Tunisia must guide the Arabs to move faster towards liberty, equality, development and more respect for rights of the younger generation which wants to be respected and given their birthright of dignity in their homelands instead of running away to seek those rights somewhere else.

In the GCC, particularly in Kuwait, we must preserve and protect our Constitution which is far better than the ones in countries around us, and maintain higher level of freedom. We should not forget the rule of law and must respect court verdicts, including those which punish the indicted parties.

Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com


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By: Labeed Abdal

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