The Second Arab Civil Forum yesterday expressed its disappointment that the majority of Arab nations had "failed to meet their promises in regard to political reforms".

More than 100 participants from 14 Arab countries attended the forum held in Rabat, Morocco, in mid-February.

However, the final communiqué, released in Bahrain yesterday, called on Arab governments to remove all legislative and administrative restrictions imposed on creation and administration of non-government organisations, trade and labour unions, and political parties.

It also demanded the immediate release of imprisoned reform and human rights activists, and abolition of all forms of prejudice towards women.

The document called upon the Arab Summit, beginning today in Khartoum, Sudan, to assess reforms accomplished so far by member states and their rights records and present reasons for failure to implement the Tunisia Declaration.

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news