Jeremy Hobbs* writes about the importance of engaging Egypt's civil society, fully, in the democratisation process Earlier this year, scenes of Egypt's youth revolution captivated audiences across the globe, and made it a source of inspiration to people regionally and worldwide. It showed the incredible strength of the voice of ordinary people seeking freedom and justice, united through non-violent resistance. The Egyptian revolution expressed civic action at its finest, combining men, women and even children, from all walks of life spanning the length of Egypt, engaged in peaceful political protest. Since those days, Egyptians have moved on to the arduous process of transforming their state from one dominated by an authoritarian regime and catering to an elite segment of society, to another that will hopefully reflect the dreams and ambitions of all Egyptians. Such is the dream of those who went to Tahrir Square that their voices would be heard and their hopes met with real prospect for a fair and open Egypt. That state should naturally encompass at its heart the civil and political rights that guarantee the wider foundations of society: a respect for human rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression, the right to information, the right to assembly, the right to organise, the right to be free from arbitrary detention and the right to a fair trial. These principles need to be expressed in government policies and to form the basis of judicial and, in particular, security sector reforms, fundamental as they are for any inclusive democratic system, and for holding free and fair elections. The legitimacy of reforms lies in part in the transparency of the process and in its responsiveness to sincere national dialogue. In turn this requires an environment that guarantees freedom and independence of traditional media, which has a duty both in giving voice to segments of society that have been marginalised as well as shedding a critical light on the process. Furthermore, civil society has a fundamental part to play here. In my former capacity as Director of Oxfam Australia I have experienced the power of civil society in shaping change, following the collapse of the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia and the granting of independence to Timor L'Este through a national referendum. This was the first time most of those people had ever had a vote. Oxfam worked hard to support civil society, small NGOs and local communities, as a new country emerged under UN leadership. This participation of ordinary people is crucial for accountability governments in transition. Effective civil society is a cornerstone of any democracy. Civil society counterbalances the power of the state and provides necessary checks and balances that can ensure individual rights and freedoms. In doing so it should be seen as a partner rather than a rival to the democratic state. It works to hold government to account, to expose abuse of power and corruption, to promote political participation, to monitor electoral processes, to inform the public on public issues, to cultivate democratic values, to give voice to different segments of society, including the marginalised. It also provides legitimacy to a responsive government. It is civic action undertaken largely by Egyptian youth that stands behind the revolutionary changes Egypt is experiencing to date. The country's current political leadership has acknowledged the monumental achievement that young Egyptian women and men won for the country. It follows then that they are allowed to become fully engaged in the process of transition through the varied and numerous civic action groups and organisations that they have begun to form over the recent few months. Such organisations, together with more established organisations that have striven to uphold people's rights in Egypt over the past decades, whether engaged in social or economic development, or defending human or workers' or women's rights, can best articulate the link between social and economic rights on the one hand and political rights on the other. For, while the process of transition is focussed on civil and political rights, as guarantors of economic and social rights, the latter cannot be relegated to a secondary priority. To many Egyptians who took part in or supported the revolution, the link between lack of economic opportunity and the political system that governed their lives is inseparable. The revolution showed that most marginalised Egyptians, engaging politically for the first time, from Alexandria to Aswan, did so by looking at their own economic interests and eventually calling for a change in the political structures that governs them. An Egyptian state report, released shortly before the revolution, estimated -- some say conservatively -- that 42 per cent of Egyptians lived below the poverty line. Increasing unemployment and deteriorating economic conditions were important concerns fuelling the demonstrations, as were the sharply rising prices and growing differences between rich and poor. People were protesting against corruption and an unresponsive government imposing heavy restrictions on civil liberties. Demonstrators and the organisations supporting them were claiming their political freedom, dignity, the right to voice their views and concerns and were seeking greater opportunities to escape from poverty. Egyptian civil society has an important task ahead of it, not only in pushing the process of transition forward and in the right direction, but also in making any future democratic system accountable once established. It is therefore important that Egypt's energetic civil society is further strengthened and given the space to become fully engaged in the democratisation process. Concerns of Egyptian civil society need to be reflected in positions taken by the Egyptian government, and its policies have to guarantee freedom of association and expression, both fundamental to civic participation. Specific attention should go to the rights of the poor, women and the aspirations of the youth. Women performed a vital role in the revolutionary change, they should not be sidelined in the process of democratic transition. The voice of the millions that came out on to the streets must be heeded. The current process of change should lead to an Egypt in which people, rich and poor, women and men, of all beliefs and religions can enjoy their basic rights. Civil society and the authorities should come together to allow a national vision to come to light and consensus reached on how the country moves forward. A vision that is truly reflective of Egyptian society's hopes and aspirations. * The writer is executive director of Oxfam International, who is currently in Cairo on a visit to partners and officials.
