I AM wondering why Egypt was selected as the venue for the recent climate conference. Personally, I see it as a political point to endorse a friendly dictatorship. Such a conference could have been held anywhere in the world with a better track record on account of human rights and democracy. I wonder why those who shed crocodile tears over human rights abuses in Iran, China, etc., have no qualms about sending aid and support to friendly dictators.

This is not to condone human rights abuses in those countries, but to point out the hypocrisy of the West. People deserve democracy and respect everywhere regardless of colour or creed or even the belief system.

But our self-styled champions of democracy in the West want it their way; either democracy or dictatorship, it must be subservient to their whims and wishes. If the West wants to enjoy the trust of the world at large, it must cast off its colonial mentality first.

The world has changed, and people are informed, or misinformed, more than ever. You could never fool all the people all the time, but today it is impossible to even imagine making such an attempt. Democ-racy may have its faults, it may give way to demagogues, like Donald Trump, but then it also throws them out once they show their true colours.

I am of the view that in the long run, democracy is right path for the larger good. Else, global peace and prosperity will remain elusive dreams. Give democracy a chance everywhere to take its roots for the sake of world peace. Once that happens, the world, as a whole, will be the winner.

Shakeel Nizamani
Alberta, Canada

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2022