Debates Parlamentares - Diário 024, p. 4 (2011-03-31)

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4 | - Número: 024 | 31 de Março de 2011

O segundo debate teve como tema a situação política no Mediterrâneo, com destaque para as revoltas no mundo árabe. O Deputado António Almeida Henriques participou nesta discussão tendo afirmado:

―What happened recently in Tunisia and in Egypt was a surprise for all of us. Nobody was expecting this kind of events. Many have called the revolutions in Tunisia and in Egypt a new ―Spring‖ in the Middle East. And no one can predict what will happen next! These events weren’t the result of armed or religious rebellions. They were totally spontaneous. A new generation has emerged fighting for democracy and against discrimination, poverty, unemployment, corruption and abuse of power.
This younger generation felt humiliated and deprived of any sense of hope. They decided to go to the streets and reclaim their countries back.
Now we are watching this chain of events spreading into other countries of the region. What can we do? Any kind of foreign intervention would be counterproductive. Democracy cannot be imposed from outside.
Changes have to come from inside of the societies. There is no other alternative.
We can only support the transition processes towards democracy and the respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights. But the transition for a more democratic society can only work if the democratic process is accompanied by real economic development. Without economic growth the situation will never improve.
Almost forty years ago my country went through the same process: a revolution, followed by a difficult transition period that culminated in free and fair elections. Many said that it would be impossible to have a real democratic society. They were wrong.
Those who now say that it is impossible to establish democracy in Arab countries are also wrong.
The younger generation that has emerged from these revolutions will not accept the return of autocratic regimes originated in the military or in religious extremist groups. They have seen with their own eyes, thanks to the internet and the social networks, how democracy works in Europe and elsewhere.
We, as citizens of free and democratic countries, cannot disappoint them. Our societies can’t turn their back to the problems of the Arab world. Our efforts must be concentrated in two areas: help, if requested, to the transition period towards the formation of political parties, strengthening of the civil society and the organization of elections. The second area is economic aid. The European Union in particular must play a central role in this area.
It is of our own interest to help these countries. Not only because they are our neighbors but also because their problems will certainly affect us. Any serious turmoil in Tunisia, Egypt or other countries of the region will have serious consequences in the whole Mediterranean area. And we all know how volatile this region is.
The citizens of these countries, the same citizens that went to the streets to protest against the autocratic regimes, face an enormous challenge: to build a democratic and fair society and, at the same time, restore economic growth.
We have some experience in that field: the successful transition of Central and Eastern European countries from communist regimes to liberal democracies. But we have also learned some lessons: they need time to build a strong civil society and open a political spectrum that has been closed for decades. Nobody can be left out of this new political game, including the Muslim groups. To isolate them would be a mistake and could originate further instability.
Developments in Egypt and Tunisia will have consequences in the region. Some countries will be more affected than others. We will probably see more changes of regime, more political turmoil and more demonstrations.
Our influence over these events is, of course, very limited. But we should never forget why people in the Arab world came to the streets. It is exactly the same reasons that originated all revolutions in Europe in the last fifty years: democracy, development, modernity, peace and hope.‖

Tanto o Presidente da AP OSCE como o Representante Especial da AP para os Assuntos do Mediterrâneo (e ex-Presidente da AP), Alcee Hastings, citaram, nas suas alocuções de encerramento a este debate o discurso do Deputado António Almeida Henriques.

4 | - Número: 024 | 31 de Março de 2011O segundo debate teve como tema a situação política no Mediterrâneo, com destaque para as revoltas no mundo árabe. O Deputado António Almeida Henriques participou nesta discussão tendo afirmado:―What happened recently in Tunisia and in Egypt was a surprise for all of us. Nobody was expecting this kind of events. Many have called the revolutions in Tunisia and in Egypt a new ―Spring‖ in the Middle East. And no one can predict what will happen next! These events weren’t the result of armed or religious rebellions. They were totally spontaneous. A new generation has emerged fighting for democracy and against discrimination, poverty, unemployment, corruption and abuse of power.
This younger generation felt humiliated and deprived of any sense of hope. They decided to go to the streets and reclaim their countries back.
Now we are watching this chain of events spreading into other countries of the region. What can we do? Any kind of foreign intervention would be counterproductive. Democracy cannot be imposed from outside.
Changes have to come from inside of the societies. There is no other alternative.
We can only support the transition processes towards democracy and the respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights. But the transition for a more democratic society can only work if the democratic process is accompanied by real economic development. Without economic growth the situation will never improve.
Almost forty years ago my country went through the same process: a revolution, followed by a difficult transition period that culminated in free and fair elections. Many said that it would be impossible to have a real democratic society. They were wrong.
Those who now say that it is impossible to establish democracy in Arab countries are also wrong.
The younger generation that has emerged from these revolutions will not accept the return of autocratic regimes originated in the military or in religious extremist groups. They have seen with their own eyes, thanks to the internet and the social networks, how democracy works in Europe and elsewhere.
We, as citizens of free and democratic countries, cannot disappoint them. Our societies can’t turn their back to the problems of the Arab world. Our efforts must be concentrated in two areas: help, if requested, to the transition period towards the formation of political parties, strengthening of the civil society and the organization of elections. The second area is economic aid. The European Union in particular must play a central role in this area.
It is of our own interest to help these countries. Not only because they are our neighbors but also because their problems will certainly affect us. Any serious turmoil in Tunisia, Egypt or other countries of the region will have serious consequences in the whole Mediterranean area. And we all know how volatile this region is.
The citizens of these countries, the same citizens that went to the streets to protest against the autocratic regimes, face an enormous challenge: to build a democratic and fair society and, at the same time, restore economic growth.
We have some experience in that field: the successful transition of Central and Eastern European countries from communist regimes to liberal democracies. But we have also learned some lessons: they need time to build a strong civil society and open a political spectrum that has been closed for decades. Nobody can be left out of this new political game, including the Muslim groups. To isolate them would be a mistake and could originate further instability.
Developments in Egypt and Tunisia will have consequences in the region. Some countries will be more affected than others. We will probably see more changes of regime, more political turmoil and more demonstrations.
Our influence over these events is, of course, very limited. But we should never forget why people in the Arab world came to the streets. It is exactly the same reasons that originated all revolutions in Europe in the last fifty years: democracy, development, modernity, peace and hope.‖Tanto o Presidente da AP OSCE como o Representante Especial da AP para os Assuntos do Mediterrâneo (e ex-Presidente da AP), Alcee Hastings, citaram, nas suas alocuções de encerramento a este debate o discurso do Deputado António Almeida Henriques.

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