The conference on democratic transition in the Arab world, organized by the Arab Council, concluded in the capital city of Sarajevo, on October 8, 2023, after bringing together prominent figures and experts from across the region,
and culminated with the issuance of the Sarajevo Declaration, outlining key principles and objectives for democratic progress in the Arab world.
Firmly asserting its stance, the Sarajevo declaration emphasized that the democratic system is the sole pathway to constructing a state founded on the rule of law and institutions that prioritize the well-being of its citizens, as well as upholding justice and freedom. It underscored that only democratic nations possess the capacity to forge a unified Arab space that fulfills the long-held aspirations of Arab peoples for unity and improves the lives of millions.
In addition to condemning despotism in all its forms, whether traditional and rigid or contemporary and populist, the declaration underscored the devastating consequences of such authoritarianism, perpetuating poverty, oppression, division, and conflict within societies.
A significant outcome of the conference was the establishment of the Arab Democrats Network, which aims to unite democracy advocates from all Arab countries, irrespective of their affiliations or orientations, in a collaborative endeavor to promote democratic values and principles, with the objective of building bridges, fostering relationships, and forming alliances with democratic forces within the region and globally, in order to collectively confront authoritarian and populist regimes.
The Sarajevo declaration sends a strong message to the Arab world, highlighting the importance of democratic values and the urgent need to work together towards democratic progress. It sets the stage for increased collaboration and mobilization among like-minded individuals and organizations, as they strive to bring about positive change, uphold justice, and safeguard the freedoms of Arab peoples in the years to come.
Sending a powerful message to the Arab world, the Sarajevo declaration emphasizes the significance of democratic values and the pressing necessity of collective efforts towards democratic progress, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration and mobilization among like-minded individuals and organizations who are dedicated to fostering positive change, upholding justice, and safeguarding the freedoms of Arab peoples in the future.
Please find below the text of the statement:
As citizens of the Arab world,
in homage to the blood of the righteous martyrs who laid down their lives in the pursuit of freedom and dignity amidst the transformative arenas of the Arab Spring revolutions and the preceding and subsequent struggles,
in fulfillment of our responsibilities towards the victims of tyranny, who are prisoners of conscience, the persecuted, and violators of rights, and our duty to remove injustice, injustice and suffering from them,
understanding the critical stage that our Arab region is going through, which is stuck between the hammer of tyranny and the anvil of populism, with the decline of the democratic model throughout the world,
believing in the ability of our nation to liberate and emancipate, and to achieve freedom, dignity, democracy and development, through solid will, tireless struggle, and solidarity among free people,
in fulfillment of our honesty towards future generations, who deserve to bequeath to them a secure and bright future, stable and prosperous homelands, and increased values of dignity, freedom and democracy,
convinced that the democratic system is the only one capable of building a state of law and institutions that serves its people, who enjoy justice and freedom, and are endowed with human dignity,
convinced that only democratic countries are capable of building a single Arab space that fulfills the aspirations of the Arab peoples for unity and facilitates the lives of millions of Arabs,
realizing that tyranny, whether the old, rigid, rigid one, or the new, petty, populist one, has no horizon other than further plunging our people into poverty, oppression, division, and war,
and convinced that mature and solid democracies are capable of confronting the major transformations that are changing human destinies today, such as climate change and artificial intelligence,
we declare the following principles at the conclusion of the conference on "Democratic Transformation in the Arab World":
Firstly, our primary objective is to establish a unified network of Arab democrats, encompassing individuals from all Arab countries, irrespective of age groups, intellectual backgrounds, and political affiliations. This horizontal network aims to facilitate coordination among Arab democratic actors and visionary thinkers, driven by free thought and positive values. Our overarching goal is to promote democracy throughout the region and foster a culture of democracy among diverse populations in Arab countries. Additionally, we seek to build bridges, cultivate relationships, and form alliances with democratic forces within the region and across the globe, with the purpose of countering authoritarian and populist tendencies and influencing the regional system that impedes democratic transformation, often driven by self-serving and immediate interests.
Secondly, the commitment lies in adopting a clear roadmap that supports and accelerates the paths of democratic transformation in the region, with the aim of maturing them by moving away from narrow emotions, victimization tendencies, and improvised reactions, and embracing bold initiatives, constructive strategies, and conscious plans. This includes the establishment of common spaces among Arab elites and the unification of Arab political forces based on democratic principles, while recognizing the right to diverge in political programs and ideological affiliations, and ensuring the attainment of power through free and fair elections. Additionally, there is a focus on formulating substantial structural and institutional reforms in politics, economics, and society to address the significant challenges faced by our countries and our nation, encompassing not only human rights but also areas such as climate change, energy, demographic shifts, and technological developments, for which effective solutions are diligently sought.
Thirdly, a firm commitment is held towards engaging in collective collaborative efforts through peaceful means, encompassing political, intellectual, legal, and media spheres, until the Arab democratic project achieves triumph. The objective is to dismantle the alliance of despotism, corruption, and subservience prevailing in the region, thereby embodying the interconnectedness of paths within Arab nations and realizing a shared destiny among Arab peoples. Additionally, a concerted and significant endeavor is undertaken to shape the minds of the new generation across various domains, including peaceful activism, strategies for change and their prerequisites, sound governance, social justice, civic participation, mobilizing popular movements, and fostering leadership capacities by harnessing modern technologies. This collective exertion aims to equip the emerging generation to carry the torch, fulfilling the hopes of their predecessors and the dreams of their ancestors.
We extend a sincere invitation to the esteemed members of our nation and its democratic forces to join us in the "Arab Democrats Network" and consolidate our endeavors, drawing upon our shared values and transcending divisions. Our primary objective is to create the requisite conditions for triumph in the imminent challenges of revitalizing obstructed or undermined democratic paths. Our collective resolve impels us to wholeheartedly commit ourselves, leverage our capabilities, and make necessary sacrifices to turn the page on despotism, corruption, and subservience within our homelands in the foreseeable future. Our ultimate aspiration is to establish the lofty principles of unrestricted and dignified citizenship in our respective nations, fostering genuine integration among our Arab populace, anchored in the principles of freedom, dignity, and democracy. While some may perceive this objective as distant, we envision it within our grasp.
