A group of citizens in the United Arab Emirates petitioned the rulers Wednesday to allow a popularly elected parliament, signalling that demands for leadership overhauls raging across the Middle East have also reached the oil-rich Gulf federation.
Bahrain has been gripped by a three-week uprising, and smaller rallies for greater political freedoms have taken place in Kuwait, Oman and even Saudi Arabia. There are no official opposition groups in the Emirates, which is a union of seven sheikdoms. Activists who advocate change have until now been largely idle during the region's unprecedented political unrest.
The petition, signed by 130 pro-reform supporters, was a sign that Emiratis now too are acting on the inspiration by the Egyptian and Tunisian revolts. It demands the ruling system changes, gives them a say in the running of the country and a share in its oil wealth.
"By putting these demands forward at this time we wanted to send a message that cannot be missed: We have some demands for political reform and democracy, too," said Ahmed Mansour, an Emirati human rights activist and a blogger. The petition was addressed to the Emirates' president and the ruler of the oil-rich capital Abu Dhabi, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The petitioners demanded "a comprehensive reform of the parliamentary system" and "free elections for all citizens." They also called for constitutional reforms and the granting of legislative powers to an elected parliament.