Jordan’s Speaker Al-Fayez Critiques Western Double Standards on Democracy
Jordan’s Senate Speaker Faisal Al-Fayez criticized Western nations for adopting double standards on democracy and human rights during a conference in Strasbourg. He emphasized the need for consistent application of democratic values, condemned the Israeli occupation, and voiced concerns over social media’s impact on democracy and societal divisions. Al-Fayez called for unity and respect for minorities’ rights as essential to sustaining democracy.
On Thursday, during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Jordan’s Senate Speaker, Faisal Al-Fayez, criticized Western nations for what he termed “double standards” concerning democracy and public freedoms. He emphasized that genuine democratic values necessitate a consistent commitment to human rights, stating that democracy is a collective responsibility that should ensure citizens’ rights and social justice.
Al-Fayez noted that the inconsistency in applying democratic principles by certain Western nations undermines their credibility. He remarked, “The reality confirms that the West has begun to adopt a policy of double standards regarding issues of public freedoms and democratic practice.” His comments were part of a broader discussion at the two-day conference addressing critical issues like democracy protection and freedom of expression.
Highlighting the need for political and security stability, Al-Fayez stressed the rejection of selective human rights approaches. He called for unwavering support for international bodies that uphold justice, criticizing political interference in their mandates. He stated, “We must implement international legitimacy resolutions pertaining to people’s rights to freedom and independence, reject racism and sectarianism, and respect minorities’ rights.”
Al-Fayez particularly condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestine, lamenting what he described as Western hypocrisy regarding human rights violations. He stated, “The Palestinian people have endured nearly eight decades of suffering under Israeli occupation, and… the most horrific acts of aggression by the Israeli occupation state… have resulted in tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded, primarily women and children.”
Additionally, he expressed concern about social media’s role in propagating misinformation and hate speech, which he believes has intensified societal divisions and fueled political instability. He commented, “Social media… has regrettably added to the problems that democracy faces. It has encouraged hate speech, bigotry, violence… to rig elections and their results.”
Al-Fayez also pointed out that economic and technological disparities between the Global North and South, coupled with growing social inequalities, are testing the resilience of democratic institutions. He concluded that these challenges are placing significant strain on the future of democracy itself.
In summary, Faisal Al-Fayez’s remarks at the Strasbourg conference emphasized the importance of consistent democratic values and the need to address the discrepancies in how rights are upheld by Western nations. He highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation, criticized the role of social media in exacerbating societal issues, and pointed out economic inequalities as factors undermining democracy. His call for international unity and respect for human rights underscores the pressing need for a cohesive approach to democracy.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
