IBRAHIM NAWAR

There is a very long history of oppression in the Arab world, particularly in the states he mentions: Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, as well as in Sudan and Tunisia. These regimes are not based on democracy and their legitimacy comes from military dictatorships or inherited systems. The basic right of an individual to voice his or her opinion is not granted in any kind of form in the Arab world.

The religious people in Saudi Arabia are very powerful and don't allow anyone to step on their toes.

I would also agree … on the oppression of women by totalitarian Arab states. Women in Saudi Arabia even have to struggle for the right to walk unaccompanied in the street or to drive a car. It is worth remembering, however, that there are individual Arabs who do work hard to defend human rights and one cannot make a blanket generalization about Arab people.

I would also agree … on the oppression of women by totalitarian Arab states. Women in Saudi Arabia even have to struggle for the right to walk unaccompanied in the street or to drive a car. It is worth remembering, however, that there are individual Arabs who do work hard to defend human rights and one cannot make a blanket generalization about Arab people.

There is a very long history of oppression in the Arab world, particularly in the states he mentions: Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, as well as in Sudan and Tunisia. These regimes are not based on democracy and their legitimacy comes from military dictatorships or inherited systems. The basic right of an individual to voice his or her opinion is not granted in any kind of form in the Arab world.

The religious people in Saudi Arabia are very powerful and don't allow anyone to step on their toes.