Uprising in the Middle East Struggle for Freedom

Uprising in the Middle East: Struggle for Freedom and Social Justice Hani Serag Associate Coordinator, People’s Health Movement (PHM) PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 1

People’s Health Movement (PHM) • Is a global network brings together health activists, public-interest civil society organizations, and academia. • Strives for ‘Health for ALL’ through revitalizing the Primary Health Care (PHC) and addressing social Determinants of health. • Has presence in more than 70 countries. • Has contry-specific activities and global programs; – – Global Health Watch International People’s Health University Right to health campaign Global Health Governance Initiative • Preparing for the third People’s Health Assembly • www. phmovement. org PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 2

Historical Background • 1952: army movement (Nationalisim / Arab Unity) – Republic – End of British colony 1956 – Support to the national liberation movements and non-aliened movement – Significant economic growth • • Agriculture reform (limiting the land ownership + central planning) Industrialization (technology transfer) – Significant developmental and social security measures • • Free public education Health care (state facilities + sectorial health insurance system) – Massive nationalization (including the Suez canal) – resulted in the 1956 war (GB, France and Israel) – Limited political space (one party) + Oppression against the communists and Muslim fundamentalists • 1967: The – Occupation of parts from Egypt and Syria – War economy PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 3

• 1973: the victory – Liberation of limited part of Sinai • 1974: the open door polices – Rapid move to the western camp – Exporting workforce to the Arab oil states – Massive black market – Cultivating the islamic fundamentalism (to beat the calls for back to socialism) • 1979: the ‘peace’ – Bi-lateral peace agreement – The Arab states boycotting Egypt – The move to the market economy and rise of inequalities – Golden era of fundamentalists PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 4

• Early 1980 s – Limited political space – Gradual loose of social protection • Late 1980 s – Structural readjustment program – Waves of privatization • 1990 s – Massive waves of corruption – Increased inequities • 2000 s – The oligarchy (the marriage between wealth and authority) – The governing family – Significant increase in the GDP with significant increase of number of people under poverty line – Massive deterioration of public sector and service – Neolibral agenda, coruption, massive inequities – The Middle East wars (aligning the region with the US policies re the middle East) PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 5

Health Insurance Law • Separating the finance from service delivery = the Health Insurance Organization is a health fund. • Public health facilities work as financially independent units = unable to compete after 30 years of degradation, selling them out, more privatization • Purchasing the services based on competition among providers = more space for the private sector and welcoming monopolies • customers pay 30% of the cost of medical interventions and medicines = further inequities / further stratification of the society • Actuarial study by Mc. Kinsey PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 6

Summary • Egypt is not in full control of its land • Egypt is losing its leading position in the region • Massive privatization for basic services and selling the natural resources • Massive inequities and stratification of the society (economic growth and more people under the poverty line). • Corruption • Oppression PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 7

Revolution • Freedom • Social Justice PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 8

• Frequent strikes and protests led by the workers • Massive mobilization using the social media • 25 th January 2011: increasing numbers in Tahrir squares reaching more than 15 millions by the 11 th February when Mubarak is obliged to step down • Army took over • Fundamentalists (Muslim brothers and salafists) had more than 60% in the Parliament. • Very long transition period led by the army – allowed the old regime to reorganize • Presidential elections (first round): 24% for Muslim Brothers; 23% for old regime; 21% for lefts, liberals and social democrats • Presidential elections (second round): 51. 8% for Muslim Brothers and 48. 2% for the old regime (misleading figures). PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 9

What happens? • Mubarak and not the regime • The army leaders are a part of the dictatorship and the oligarchy • The north needs a dictatorship – Easier to control – Energy resources – Unneeded potential regional power PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 10

What next • Senario-1: The army and Muslim brothers reach a deal (Turkish model) • Senario-2: Muslim Brothers regain their popularity through social measure based on charity approach • Senario-3: a third party (strategic unity between the liberals and lefts (organized movement) • Senario-4: back to street PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 11

• Long transition period • No serious change in the economic order • No change in the power relations in the region PHA 3 / 6 -11 July 2012 / Cape Town, South Africa 12