The report underscores the following immediate needs for reform in the Arab world:

1) Total respect for the key freedoms of opinion, expression and association; 2) Ending all types of marginalization and discrimination against social groups and minorities; 3) Guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and ending reliance on military tribunals and other ‘exceptional’ courts; 4) Abolishing the ‘states of emergency’ that have become permanent features of governance in the region.

The continued occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel, the US-led occupation of Iraq and the escalation of terrorism adversely influenced Arab human development.

As a result of the invasion of their country, the Iraqi people have emerged from the grip of a despotic regime that violated their basic rights and freedoms, only to fall under a foreign occupation that increased human suffering. A scientific study estimated the number of deaths associated with the invasion and the accompanying violence at around 100,000 Iraqis. Thousands of Iraqis were imprisoned and tortured. Prisoners, mostly civilians, were subjected to inhumane and immoral treatment in Abu Ghraib and other occupation prisons. Such mistreatment is a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions.

The occupation forces struggled to restore basic facilities but were unable to bring electricity, water and telephone services back to their pre-war levels. A US report showed that, by the end of October 2004, the occupation authority had spent only US$ 1.3 billion on reconstruction out of the US$ 18.4 billion allocated for this purpose by the US Congress, i.e. less than 7 per cent.

So, will this report make a difference? Personally, I think it might. The report comes at a critical time, where many people around the world are discussing whether a Spring of Democracy is taking place throughout the Middle East - a claim that needs to be nuanced with an assessment of the actual state of affairs. The report stresses many important steps that need to be taken by Arab countries in order to legitimize their rule. However, by criticizing Western action as well as Arab lack of willingness to reform, this report gains important legitimacy.

For many years the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been used in the Arab discourse as an excuse for not initiating reforms. On the other hand, the fact that this conflict has not been solved has created mistrust and accuses of Western double standards and hypocrisy. Hopefully, this report will help both sides of the conflict to look inward instead of just blaming the lack of development on the other part.