Current Events in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt

Current Events in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt

Part 1

The Arab world has been plagued by civil unrest, as the civilians demand fro change in their respective governments. Some leaders like those of Tunisia and Egypt have given in to the peoples demands and have stepped down and gone under exile. This however has not been the case for Libya, where reports indicate that the Libyan president has used military force to quell the civil unrest in his country. The president has remained defiant to the people’s calls for his resignation[1]. This has prompted the international community to reason out the best course of action in response to the current situation that is evidenced in Libya. The government’s efforts to protect its power against the demands of the people have been met with sharp criticism both from within and without. Much of the criticism is due to the government’s abuse of human rights in its effort to retain power.

One question that one would pose is what system would be best to mete justice on the atrocities committed against the protesters. There have been widespread calls for the execution of legal investigations on the Libyan president and members of his government. This has been mainly due to the surfacing evidence of the atrocities being carried out against the protestors who are taking part in the nationwide uprising. This is what led to the decision by the United Nations Security Council, which represents the international community to refer the Libya and its current president Qaddafi to the international criminal court. There are critics who have termed this as an effort by the United Nations Security Council to abscond its duties and responsibilities. This has however, been defended as the best possible option as the international criminal court is best suited equipped to handle such cases[2].

The international criminal court has a good past record regarding the exercise of justice in all fairness in accordance with the international treaties. With this in mind, the court has already started its proceedings with the international criminal court’s chief prosecutor confirming on his intentions of conducting official investigations on the president and government officials of the republic of Libya for the alleged atrocities that have been carried out against the protestors. The referral of the cases to the international criminal court is probably the best option as opposed to the establishment of a local tribunal or the letting go and moving on policy.

The most important question that one would pose is whether the rights of women and children would be given regard and justice addressed to the infringement of these rights. The letting go and moving on policy would seem somewhat absurd at this instance as it can only be applied in very selective situation. This policy does not provide the guarantee that the women’s rights would be upheld in the future if the guilty leaders were just allowed to walk scot-free. The aim of punishing crime is two fold. One is that it prevents the perpetrator from committing the same offense in the future, and the second is that it serves as a warning to a potential perpetrator to the same injustices. The letting go and moving on policy does not seem to serve any of the two purposes. This policy can however be implemented where there has been widespread tribal clashes between one community and another[3].

A relevant question now would be whether a local tribunal would suffice as an efficient means to mete out justice. The other option would be to establish a local tribunal; however, the exercising of domestic mechanisms of retributive justice will be limited. This is because the local tribunal does not curtail the risk of violence escalating into ethnic conflict and perhaps even genocide. The democratic system in this country is very young and does not guarantee that the selection of persons into the local tribunal would be free, just and fair in equal representation of the various groups and castes that comprise the nation. The nation exhibits the nonexistence of domestic political will to mete out justice on guilty high-ranking officials because many have served with these same officials in different capacities.

Part 2

Tunisia and Egypt are beginning the process of creating new democratic political processes. With this regard, there are principles of human rights as set out by international agreement that is expected within any new democratic political system. This includes the preservation and protection of women’s right to life, health and access to basic amenities. There should be gender equality and equal representation of women in all facets of the government.

International treaties concerning human rights pose a myriad of problems in their implementations in the democratized Middle East. One of the underlying issues with the international treaties is that they are based on the general moral and ethics held by humanity internationally. They do not give regard to religious principles on the dignity of human beings. The Middle East comprises strict Islamic societies who derive their moral standards and natural way of conduct from the Quran. They follow the Sharia law which when put into comparison with the international treaties exhibits a myriad of differences. One particular difference is that the Sharia law prescribes the death penalty for cases such as marital unfaithfulness and blasphemy. This offenses are not regarded by the international law us offenses punishable by death.

The Middle Eastern states that have undertaken change into democratization have several options to pursue in order to deal with past human rights abuses exercised in these states. One would involve the establishment of a local tribunal, which would exercise justice in accordance with that national and international laws and treaties. This would be prescribed as the best option as the Middle Eastern nations are not mostly comfortable with the western interference in most of their affairs. The local tribunal would be inclusive of a fair representation of the various peoples that comprise the respective states. The persons who serve in the local tribunal of whatsoever capacity ought not to have past dented records pertaining to the breaking of the law[4].

The key questions that one would use as a feminist and a liberal in assessing the extent of democratization a year from now would entail the following. The first would be how are the women represented in the ruling government since it is termed as a democratic one? A democratic government is termed as a government of the people by the people and for the people. With this in mind, it should represent the general population in race, creed and gender. There ought to be a fair representation of women in the government in terms of number and position. The women ought not to be resigned to take up minor positions in government but ought to be represented fairly even in the senior positions. This is going to be a practically taxing agenda for the nations of Tunisia and Egypt to implement considering that they are strictly patriarchal societies where women rights are dimly recognized[5].

The next question is would be on what is the priority of educating the girl child. Educational opportunities are to be equal across all genders. We all recognize that knowledge is power and educating the girl child would be undertaking a great step in giving the women of the future the power to defend themselves and advocate for their own rights rather than depending on the international community. The Middle Eastern nations generally give priority to the male child whenever education is concerned. With the inception of a democratic government, the different genders ought to have similar opportunities and access to education and educational facilities. The government ought also to implement civic education to the women on issues pertaining to their rights and other crucial affairs. The nation’s implementation of these policies regarding the rights of women and the girl child would go along way in assessing the extent of democratization a year from now[6].

 

Bibliography

BBC Mobile. “Mid-east: will there be domino effect.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12204971. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

BBC Mobile. “Libya: UN Security Council votes sanctions on Gaddafi.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12589434. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

BBC Mobile. “Political uprising sweeping across the Middle East.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13031020. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

CBC News. “MAP: Protests spread in Middle East.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/01/26/f-unrest-north-africa-middle-east.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

CBC News. Fed up: “What’s driving unrest in North Africa, Middle East.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/01/27/f-laila-lalami.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

CBC News. “Middle East uprisings take cue from Gene Sharp’s guide to non-violent revolution.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/23/f-carol-off-gene-sharp-middle-east.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

[1] BBC mobile. “Mid-east: will there be domino effect.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12204971 (Accessed April 19, 2011)

[2] BBC mobile. “Libya: UN Security Council votes sanctions on Gaddafi.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12589434. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

[3] CBC news. “Middle East uprisings take cue from Gene Sharp’s guide to non-violent revolution.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/23/f-carol-off-gene-sharp-middle-east.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

[4] BBC mobile. “Political uprising sweeping across the Middle East.” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13031020. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

CBC news. “MAP: Protests spread in Middle East.” CBC.

[5] CBC news. “MAP: Protests spread in Middle East.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/01/26/f-unrest-north-africa-middle-east.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

[6] CBC news. Fed up: “What’s driving unrest in North Africa, Middle East.” CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/01/27/f-laila-lalami.html. (Accessed April 19, 2011)

Last Completed Projects

Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]