LI President calls for democracy in the Arab world along the Moroccan model
31.03.2010
LI President Hans van Baalen MEP has called for a democratic movement in the Arab world at the congress of the Network of Arab Liberals (NAL) which was hosted by the Constitutional Union of Morocco and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty with participation of LI and ELDR in Rabat last weekend.Van Baalen made clear that liberals do not discriminate on the basis of faith, gender, sexual orientation, political conviction or social status. Liberty, Fraternity, Equality and Secularism are the cornerstones of liberalism. Free individuals living in a free society, in a free market will create a better world. Liberal International is the home of the free.
Hans van Baalen named Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam, as an example of the successful integration of a man who was born in Morocco and who is now the first citizen of the port city where Van Baalen himself was born. Aboutaleb is a role model for those who want to become fully integrated into their new homeland without renouncing their country of birth or religious beliefs. All men of goodwill must stand up against those who misuse religion for political purposes including groups which are intolerant towards those who worship a different god, who are agnostic, or towards those who convert to a different religion. The only mistake Mr Aboutaleb made, said Van Baalen tongue in cheek, was becoming a social democrat instead of a liberal democrat.
For Liberal International, Morocco is a country where liberals have carved out an important position in politics. The Constitutional Union (in opposition), the Popular Movement (in government) and the Movement of Independents (in government) have decided to form an electoral pact for the next general elections in 2011, which stands to make liberalism the dominant political force in Morocco. Together with the reforms of King Mohammed VI — who has liberalized hard-line legislation in regards to family law and women rights resulting in a more tolerant and open society — the strengthening of liberalism as a political instrument in Morocco is an example for the Arab world.
Van Baalen also paid tribute to the member parties, observers and partners of LI in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. The rise of liberalism in the Arab World will make a lasting and just peace with Israel possible. Hans van Baalen said that he is convinced that Israeli liberal politicians such as LI Patron and former Israeli Cabinet Minister Amnon Rubinstein and Arab and Palestinian liberals will be able to contribute to peace and security in the Middle East and to further develop an understanding between the people of Israel and the Palestinians.
