EDITORIALS

Opposition’s intransigence: a risky gambling in a highly volatile context

There is no model of one size fits all. We need to be aware that standardization won’t work and definitely not now. We need a constructive approach, optimism, courage, patience, dedication and much education.

One brave woman in Saudi Arabia is feeling the heat after renewing a drive to lift the ban keeping women off the roads.

Not convinced by the decision of the Commission of municipal elections in Saudi Arabia not to allow women to participate in the electoral process activists of the Saudi Women Jurists Association established a shade municipal council in which women can participate.

Full citizenship .. equality .. justice .. human dignity .. is all what a woman demands to be at her genuine position and play her real role in the community and perform her humanitarian mission in life.

After years of stymied efforts, the reform focus in Saudi Arabia is centering on women’s rights. A recent survey by the Researchers Center for Women’s Studies in Riyadh (Markaz Bahithat li Dirasat al-Mar’a*) examining Saudi newspapers and websites showed that from mid January to mid February 2010 some 40 percent of articles in print media and 58 percent of articles on websites treated women’s issues.

Promoting positive change in mentalities, behaviours and ultimately changes in laws requires much attention and a large support. One of the new developments that really deserves encouragement and support is the launch of the different new human rights commissions and the entry into force of the Arab Charter on human rights.

In an open letter to the Gulf Cooperation Council (parallel to the 31st top of the Gulf Cooperation Council, December 2010 in Abu Dhabi) intellectuals, academic, journalists civil society and human rights leaders from the Gulf region requested more reforms in the field of human rights and civil society empowerment in the GCC countries.

Democracy and political reform remains a key pillar of Forum focus