(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and UAE should reflect deeply on the status of the embargo they imposed on Qatar and understand that today Qatar is one of the best possible solutions to latent political instability in that region of the Arab world.
Since the end of the Cold War, the hegemony of the market economy and the advent of the Internet, the world is living a borderless conflict between diametrically opposed ideologies, between those who seek to guarantee a free, open, transparent world based on dialogue and tolerance, and those who seek to maintain the status quo, most of the time, at the cost of the immense suffering of their populations.
The Arab Spring is a clear example of this conflict. On the one hand, despot governments are being overthrown by impoverished and subjugated populations, on the other hand authoritarian governments with medieval methods hide and legitimise themselves behind an extremist religious interpretation whose sole beneficiaries are themselves. It is certain and understandable that, being in power, it is sought to maintain the status quo through the political game. This is the logic of power. There is not, at least for the time being, an alternative to the current political system. What varies, however, is the method. Disrespect for human rights can no longer be tolerated, not because they are provided for in international law, but because, after globalisation and the free circulation of information in cyberspace, the population no longer accepts it. There is no stepping back; free consciousness cannot be mastered.
The population can be deceived, often for convenience or for survival. But the truth remains latent and sometimes arises, causing astonishing revolutions. Who could have predicted in the 1980s that powerful men like Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein would be stripped of power in the manner they were, having an unworthy and repugnant death. Which leads other rulers to believe that they will not have the same fate if they are following the same path. What do they lack: self-criticism, common sense or history books? It is known that rulers are naturally brave and that many of them do not fear death, which is justifiable, because death reaches all of us. But when this agony and barbarism reach their descendants? Is it worth living like this?
One does not want to make any lecture here against any government, much less against monarchies, which are legitimate forms of government. What is criticised are the despicable forms of government that bring suffering to its people and its rulers to the scaffold. Monarchies coexist with democracy; we have several examples in Europe. From Europe, we also have the example that monarchies that defied their populations perished.
Qatar, in contrast to its neighbours who support the embargo, has been a viable alternative to address the region's political problems. Dialogue with Iran is part of the solution to the problem. To allow a free press is to allow the Arab people to speak and be heard. Promoting tolerance, debate, education, knowledge and understanding is part of Qatari culture. Qatar's neighbours should follow suit. It is quite difficult to understand that countries like Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which have taken a path of global openness, support the embargo on Qatar. There is much more tuning than dissonance between these countries. Egypt needs to focus on its internal affairs, find its way and consolidate its democracy, respecting all the political currents that make up its population. This is only possible with dialogue and tolerance, not with more violence and supporting an embargo. Saudi Arabia, in the end, needs to get out of its political schizophrenia and start a process of dialogue and openness on pain of being a victim of its own terrorism that imposes itself and its neighbours.
The Arab Spring arose in the sky from a starlit crescent moon night, bringing the message of renewal. It is up to the rulers to look up to the sky and understand the message, otherwise fate can take their crown.
* Alvaro Augusto Portella Trento Colle Casagrande is a lawyer, professor and Brazilian political essayist. He holds a law degree and a master's degree in theory and philosophy of law from the Federal University of Santa Catarina and EMBA from HEC Paris. He works as a lawyer in the field of international law.
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