Libya’s future in light of the experiences of others

(Eastern Europe — South Africa — Philippines)

People and nations often undergo major transformations in the stages of their political history that either positively or negatively affects them, and political and cultural awareness plays an important role in shaping the future of such transformation.

If these transformations are dealt with in a civilized and scientific manner, the fruits of this transformation will be reaped and it will promote these nations to the level of advanced and sophisticated countries, whereas if negatively dealt with then the people will only reap destruction, devastation and conflicts that would lead to meeting their end. Modern political history shows many such examples and instances.

In the nineties, Eastern Europe underwent important political transformations that overthrew dictatorial political systems which had for decades burdened and ruled the people with iron and fire causing its delay in joining the ranks of developed countries.

The people of these nations, in leading battles of transition to democracy after disposing of the dictatorship regimes, exhibited such a remarkable model and ushered a new era that is built on tolerance and freedom of opinion, steering clear from the policy of exclusion and marginalization.

This reflected positively on the security, stability and prosperity now enjoyed by many of these countries, qualifying it to join the European Union.

Also, the political transformation that South Africa witnessed in the nineties from the apartheid regime to a tolerant democratic system reflected the cultural level that the people of South Africa enjoyed in dealing with this transformation which came as a result of the sacrifices made during the long years of a system that was characterized by its violence and hatred and discriminations against blacks.

The blacks did not erect the gallows for the whites but treated them with high levels of tolerance and application of the rule of law, as a committee was formed called the (Truth and Reconciliation Commission), headed by Reverend “Desmond Tutu” through which those who committed violence against blacks  narrated what happened in front of the victims' families, and the State compensated those deserving of compensation.

Here we recall at the’ memorial service of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, in the presence of President Thabo Mbeki, what Dr. Bahjat Batarseh said that the people of South Africa had only two choices, the first is that they must bury the past with all its tragedies and engage in building the future or head to  the second option by returning to the past and devoting themselves to revenge, inevitably burying their future, saying “Bury the past or the past will bury you.”

South Africa was indeed, by the wisdom of the leaders of its struggle, able to successfully overcome one of the most important stages of its political history.

Suppose the blacks had committed the same criminal acts against the whites, the apartheid regime would have continued and turned South Africa into an arena of conflict, destruction and devastation.

We may also cite the transformation that the Philippines underwent in 1987 with the EDSA People Power after toppling a dictatorial regime under Ferdinand Marcos and restoring democracy based on a multi-party system and respect for the rule of law.

The peaceful revolution of EDSA was not followed by a policy of exclusion and marginalization but led to embracing tolerance, democracy and freedom.

And today, we see the Philippines as one of the staunchest supporters of democracy and freedom of speech among the countries in South East Asia.

There is no doubt that the great transformation that Libya is undergoing these days, from totalitarian autocracy to a democratic system built on the principles of pluralism and respect for the others’ opinions, a system that safeguards the dignity of the citizenry, deserves to be cherished and held firmly and we should call for unity and inclusion, renouncing all forms of violence, and to move away from the policy of exclusion and marginalization that was practiced by the tyrant Muammar Gaddafi so as to cut the road in front of predators who are waiting for an opportunity to ignite a civil war or internal conflict.

Today, we must think about the future and build a State of law and institutions, a State of development, progress and prosperity, as we reiterate application of the rule of law against those who have stained their hands with the blood of the people and who, during the rule of the tyrant and during the revolution committed horrific murders and rapes, looting, theft of private and public money, that they be given fair trials in which all shall receive justice.

Note: This article was published in a number of Libyan news sites on December 6, 2011. ABOBAKER l.W. ATAWEEL Libyan diplomat