Events in North Africa and Middle East: Consequences for Canadian policy

Events in North Africa and the Middle East demonstrate a deep-seated and widely felt desire for democracy. From Morocco to Iran, in so many countries of the region, the commitment and sacrifice of ordinary citizens is deeply moving. These events are changing the international order.

According to Warren Allmand, WFM – Canada National President, “Governments and international organizations like the UN, will have to consider carefully how best to implement their responsibility to protect civilians when national authorities are no longer willing or able to do so. They must also recognize that the political dynamics in each country are different.”

“But, looking to the longer term, the common denominator is a desire among publics throughout North Africa and the Middle East to throw off authoritarian rule and call for democratic reforms.”

Canada and other Western governments will need to re-orient their foreign and development policies to place greater priority on democratic development as a foreign policy objective, and to increase international assistance to democratization processes.

Political developments in recent decades, particularly since the end of the Cold War, demonstrate growing support worldwide for democratization.

– The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms (Art. 21) that “Everyone’s right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.”

– The outcome document from the 1993 UN World Conference on Human Rights states that “Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.”

– Numerous General Assembly resolutions of the UN-led International Conference of New or Restored Democracies have, since 1996, also affirmed that “Democratic governance is a universal value.”

“The problem,” says Allmand, is that, “Far too often, Western governments have demonstrated a tendency to support authoritarian administrations, while not adequately embracing democratic forces within these societies. Our preoccupation with “stability” leads us too often to embrace undemocratic regimes. In the long run, adherence to democratic practice and human rights standards is the best guarantee of stability and human security.”

Democracy should not be confused with "good governance" or a "free market economy," both of which might be desirable, but are not essential elements of democracy. And democracy goes beyond holding free and fair elections. Democracy includes such essentials as:

1) Full respect for human rights, including minority rights and gender equality;

2) Full respect for the rule of law;

3) An independent judiciary;

4) An independent legislature;

5) An equitable distribution of wealth;

6) Control of the military and police by the civil authority;

7) Public accountability and an on-going process for consultation;

8) Transparency and access to information;

9) A free and active civil society.

There is a great deal that governments like Canada’s can do to help the emerging democracies in North Africa and the Middle East.

Canada’s 2008 Speech from the Throne pledged creation of a new government-funded democracy promotion agency. However, that idea has never been implemented.

The failure to move ahead with a new democracy promotion agency should not impede the necessary reorientation of Canadian foreign and development policy, one that is more aligned with a stronger emphasis on democracy promotion.

There are many existing mechanisms for supporting democratic development through CIDA, through UN agencies like the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) and by partnering with NGOs that have democracy development as part of their mandate.