European activists call for robust response to Egyptian crisis

Activists from Europe and neighbouring countries call the EU to revise anti-poverty and development policies, pointing out that the crisis in Egypt is caused by inequality of distribution.

In the launch event of the European Social Watch report on February 1 in Brussels, Roberto Bissio, coordinator of 'Social Watch', an international network of citizens' organizations, argued that "the unsustainability of governments that do not promote social cohesion for all, is the subline of what the Egyptian crisis is telling us, and which could equally affect the European Union member states."

Simon Stocker, Director of development network Eurostep added: “In Egypt, aid from Europe has been directed to help keep Mubarak in power with too little support to civil society organisations demanding a more equal and just distribution of resources.”

“Now that impoverished people insist on their rights, this revolution will have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East,” he said.

“This is the end of Mubarak,” argues Mirjam van Reisen, Professor for International Social Responsibility at Tilburg University: "The Berlin Wall has come down in the Southern border of Europe. Northern Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Jordan -- people in the whole region are taking inspiration."

“When the Berlin Wall fell, Russia was key. Israel is the nuclear power in the region now,” she added.

Prof Van Reisen urges the EU has to take a stand: “We encourage that EU Member States demand that EU President van Rompuy provides Israel with a clear direction that its responses must be in accordance with international law. People in Egypt are demanding basic democratic rights: basic foods stuffs, basic education, basic health and the right of assembly. It will justify the Palestinian demand for basic rights.”

The Social Watch group also warns that there can be serious implications in Europe as well.

"This report shows the growing poverty in Europe, which is not high enough on the European agenda", states Mr Stocker, "the Europe 2020 strategy prioritises economic growth over social policy. The emergence of slums in European cities, inhabited by undocumented migrants is evidence that social justice needs to move up on the EU policy agenda."

Fintan Farrell from the European anti-poverty network added: "It is time the European Union establishes a consistent approach to social protection, both inside and outside the European Union."

Click here to download the European Social-Watch Report.

Click here to read the article by Jaya Ramachandran, IDN-InDepth NewsAnalysis BRUSSELS (IDN): "Middle East: Activists Warn Europe Of Faulty Foreign Policies".

Click here to read the article: "Observatório europeu adverte governos: "Rrevolução social" no Egipto nasceu das desigualdades".