Pro-reform students protesting in Iran

Countries in the Middle East are coming under increasing pressure, internally and externally, to work towards democracy and reform politically.

At BBC News Online we'd like to hear your views on democracy in the Middle East.

Do you think democracy is a realistic prospect for the region? Would it be a good thing? Do you live in a country where reform is an issue or are you personally involved in working towards reform? What should democracy in the region look like?

You can send us your comments and experiences using the form provided.

Please also send pictures of yourself or some organisation or activity that you feel is working in the cause of democracy to [email protected]

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far.

People have no rights in the Arab world, just duties Radona, Khartoum, Sudan

From BBCArabic.com: People have no rights in the Arab world, just duties. The Arab human being has no voice, and just barely exists. The concepts of democracy and freedom are beyond the comprehension of the majority, and in addition, no one is prepared to risk going to jail, therefore we prefer to stay ignorant about democracy.
Radona, Khartoum, Sudan

From BBCArabic.com: I believe that Arabs have no rights whatsoever under their governments. I prefer not to call them governments. They are empires and kingdoms whose rulers don't even acknowledge the existence of their people.
Ali Al-Dahshan, Mansoura, Egypt

From BBCArabic.com: I am from Libya. We do not have the freedom to express any sort of opinion. Free thinking will lead to prison, without charge. Only one group of people enjoy freedom of expression, the rulers of course, and the rest of us can only pray to God and be patient.
Umm Ahmed, Libya

From BBCArabic.com: The time Arab rulers spend in power is a clear indication of the state of human rights in Arab countries. When speaking about human rights, Arab rulers confide to the Western world that implementing these 'new concepts' will bring to power their worst enemies, the radical Islamists. My personal experience regarding this matter left me running in the street, wearing only one shoe, after security forces raided the headquarters of an opposition party in Alexandria.
Makram Abbas, Alexandria, Egypt

From BBCArabic.com: The problem in Arab countries is not respect or disrespect of human rights, but the ignorance of most people of the significance of these rights. Such countries lack the institutions that monitor and document human rights violations and mechanisms capable of prosecuting the offenders. Illiteracy and the legacy of deep rooted traditional values contribute to, and facilitate the abuse of human rights of individuals. We should, above all, spread the culture of human rights in Arab societies and create institutions concerned with human rights and capable of exposing the abuses and their perpetrators without fearing being persecuted by the governments in power. Only then, Arab citizens will speak out and ask for the culprits to be punished.
Abdel Rahman, London, UK

Leave us alone and get on with this imaginary democracy in your own countries Farnaz, Iran

I am surprised how little the Western public knows about the history of the Middle East and how much they give themselves the right to decide for a civilisation they know absolutely nothing about. Why doesn't the Western media tell their people how Western governments have smashed and destroyed democratic movements in Middle Eastern countries through the dictators they themselves erected and supported for the last 60 years? Thanks, but no thanks. You leave us alone and get on with this imaginary democracy in your own countries.
Farnaz, Iran

It depends on what sort of democracy we are talking about. If it is along the lines of the one we support in Egypt then absolutely. As long as the people ruling are handpicked by the West, and have freedom of speech as long as they do not speak too much, and freedom of press as long as they do not investigate the crimes of the West. Come on. Bush and Blair - the beacons of democracy? Do you really believe that they want truly democratic governments in the Middle East? Who are we fooling?
Uzair, Los Angeles, USA

As a Lebanese Canadian, I lived the first half of my life in the Middle East and the second half in Canada. I was always for democracy. The Middle East is in dire need of democracy. A society cannot advance without the participation of all its members, men and women. In many Arab countries, women are sidelined. The governments do not represent the people even when there are elections. Most educated men are leaving for a better life. The people have lost confidence and hope in their leaders. The future is dark at best.
A H, Montreal, Canada

The region is run by dictatorial regimes that are incompetent at doing anything but staying in power Barry Rubin, Jerusalem, Israel

Middle East democracy? Not likely. The region is run by dictatorial regimes that are incompetent at doing anything but staying in power. Their citizens lack human, civil, and democratic rights. Their foreign policies lead to disaster and defeat; their economic policies bring stagnation and low living standards. This system is going to continue until it is defeated from within, and that day is far off.
Barry Rubin, Jerusalem, Israel

I do believe that the Middle East is well in need of reform, but not from other countries, it should come from within. I believe that most Omanis are happy with our ruler, Sultan Qaboos, but times are changing, and the monarchy should make way for a regime that can represent people in a better way.
Ali, Muscat, Oman

All Arabs should push for greater representation within parliaments and peoples' councils, until we gain experience in practicing democracy.
S R, Homs, Syria