From CDHR
February 21, 2008
Arab Collective Censorship
By Ali Alyami
To ensure its already stifling grip on free speech and the flow of information, the Minister of Information of the Arab League approved a censorship bill at the Arab League meeting on February 12, 2008. The bill was drafted by two ostensibly “moderate” Arab allies, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, for the Arab League, a group of nations that is composed of 22 tyrannical regimes (with the exception of Lebanon) and led by the United States. The bill forbids criticism of Arab autocratic regimes and their policies under the guise of preventing subversion, when in fact it reinforces Arab tyrannical regimes to continue doing as they wish, unchallenged. The only two occasions during which the Arab League produces tangible results is when its interior ministers meet to share information about torture, imprisonment, spying on their citizens and putting down pro-democratic reformers. The other occasion is when members meet to ensure collective rejection of all forms of free expression, especial ly as they relate to their draconian policies at home and abroad. Freedom of speech and expression would contribute immensely to giving the Arab people a say in decisions that affect every aspect of their lives and the well-being of the international community, such as potentially preventing the use of Islam as a tool of oppression, discrimination against women and minorities, and incitement against non-Muslims.