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AAI President Speaks at Parallel Conference to the Forum for the Future

Posted on Wednesday November 9, 2005

Zogby Urges Arabs to Defend Rights of Guest Workers

WASHINGTON  At the Parallel Conference to the Forum for the Future held in Manama, Bahrain, on November 7, 2005, Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), said that Arab governments and NGOs must recognize the rights and needs of foreign guest workers and must stop denying them basic human rights.

During the meeting of non-governmental organizations from across the Arab world, North America and Europe, Dr. Zogby warned that the mistreatment of guest workers in Arab countries could be “a time bomb waiting to explode.”

“We must do better. They clean your office, build your cities and yet they remain invisible. You must see them, incorporate their rights into your vision, and defend them.”

The Conference addressed ways in which civil society organizations in the Arab world could pave the way to broad political and economic reforms.

Citing recent polling data conducted by AAI/Zogby International, Dr. Zogby highlighted the need for the Arab world to address the concerns of the Arab people which include expanding employment opportunities, improving health care and the education system, and fighting corruption.

Zogby urged conference participants to “inspire” their people, and urged advocates to engage their governments in order to achieve the economic and social reforms they demand.

“We are a great people, not only with a great past, but an even greater future. But to get there, we must have confidence in ourselves and in our people. We must be positive not negative, constructive not competitive. I am confident that if we can develop a vision that reflects our people’s needs, inspires them and gives them hope, then we can move our governments and societies forward,” Dr. Zogby said.

Recommendations on human rights, democracy, and economic and social reforms, will be submitted to the Forum for the Future, providing the opportunity for civil society groups to present their suggestions for reform to their governments.