Arab Spring
Council of Europe and Arab Spring
Ever since a desperate man in Tunisia burned himself to death last December, pro-democracy movements have exploded across the Arab world. The revolutionary wave of demonstrations continues to seize our attention, raising headlines and hopes that democracy can replace dictatorship.
After Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland visited Tunisia in February and offered the Council of Europe's practical cooperation, efforts are underway – from the Parliamentary Assembly and the Venice Commission, to the Pompidou Group and the North-South Centre.
The Council of Europe supports women’s rights in Africa and the Middle East
Women have been at the forefront of the Arab Spring. Many relished the promise of positive change when a series of democratic uprisings erupted in Tunisia and spread across Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria and the Gulf.
Women took a stand for civil society across the region and strove for a new sense of equality, long suppressed under old, patriarchal regimes.
"By offering a platform to speak out for women's rights, the Council of Europe plays its part to keep women's rights in Arab Spring countries in focus", said author and journalist Souhayr Belhassen, joint winner of the Council of Europe's North-South Prize this year. During a visit to Strasbourg on 12 March 2012, she highlighted a petition published worldwide and signed by thousands of people – including celebrities – urging Arab Spring countries to treat women with dignity, equality and respect.
On the occasion of women's day, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: "It is important for all of us to recognise the contribution of women in driving progress and reform, and it is essential that women's voices are now heard in building new Arab societies, and in fighting discrimination and stereotypes. If women are again left out, the promising Arab Spring could become a new winter."
© Antoine Walter / Tunisia, 15 January 2011
Calling for women’s rights in Lebanon
Lebanon, 07.03.2012 - Speaking in Lebanon in March 2012, Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio supported the call of civil society representatives who expressed concern about the role played by the various confessional laws and courts in the country, which in many cases resulted in discrimination against women.
"All women in Lebanon have the right to live free from violence. This right should not depend on their social, cultural or religious background". Speaking at a Conference organised by the French Embassy in Lebanon, Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio supported the call of civil society representatives who expressed concern about the role played by the various confessional laws and courts in the country which in many cases resulted in discrimination against women.
The Conference took place against the background of a public debate on a law on domestic violence that will be soon examined by the Lebanese parliament. In her exchange of views with the members of the parliamentary commission preparing the draft law, the Deputy Secretary General welcomed the recent removal of the justification for the so called "honour crimes" from the criminal code and the preparation of a national human rights action plan including an independent human rights institution. She encouraged the commission to seek inspiration in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence.
During her very constructive meetings with Prime Minister Nagib Mikati, Minister of Justice Chakib Cortwabi, and with the President's adviser, Elie Assaf, she raised some of the other human rights concerns in the country, including the situation of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, death penalty, torture and prisons conditions and encouraged the Lebanese authorities to make use of international and Council of Europe standards in a number of fields.
In July 2011, Olfa Belhassine, journalist for the Tunisian daily "La Presse", visited Strasbourg to report on the Council of Europe. "In a situation of transition, things are far from simple," she said. She stressed the threat not only of Islamic fundamentalists, but also counter-revolutionaries supporting former president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for 21 years. "More than ever, we need journalists to reveal to the public what is happening here, and welcome Council of Europe support for press freedom and democracy."
An award-winning journalist, Olfa Belhassine is not only a top reporter for the Tunisian daily "La Presse", but has also published articles on the Arab Spring this year in major French publications including "Le Monde" and "Libération".