Egypt's Democratic Future Under Threat Without Representative Constitution

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 12, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

Egypt's fight for democracy will have been in vain without putting in place a constitution that guarantees the rights of all of its people or one on which everyone can agree, says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

“Democracy and strong democratic leadership is about listening to and representing the voice of all the people. A constitution needs to be built on that foundation if a country's future is to be peaceful and assured,” says IPU President Abdelwahad Radi.

He deplored the violence and deaths of recent days and weeks and latest moves to use military force to maintain order. “The Egyptian people have shown time and time again that their democratic aspirations underpin their belief in the future. Many have even given their lives to this quest. It must not be for nothing.”

Citing IPU's Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by its membership in 1997, President Radi highlighted strengthening social cohesion and enhancing national tranquility as a principle objective of democracy. It is the only political system, the Declaration states, that has the capacity to self-correct.

“Egypt is at a critical juncture. It has the choice of asserting a real belief in democratic values by addressing the fears and concerns of all its people through a constitution agreed upon by concensus. IPU urges Egypt to take this unique opportunity to build a united country and not one that is riven by political, religious, gender differences and inequalities.”