The Prime Minister Publicly Threatens Activists and Members of Parliament
September 3rd, 2006
REF: 06090301
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned by the threats made by the Bahraini Prime Minister against activists and members of parliament in relation to two main developments:
The Prime Minister Publicly Threatens Activists and Members of Parliament
September 3rd, 2006
REF: 06090301
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned by the threats made by the Bahraini Prime Minister against activists and members of parliament in relation to two main developments:
The disclosing of information by members of the Council of Representatives claiming that the authority is engaged in a campaign to extraordinarily grant the Bahraini nationality to 10 thousand non-Bahrainis in a step to further enforce demographic change and manipulate the coming municipal and parliamentary elections[1], and
a campaign carried out last month in the United States and the United Kingdoms by the “HAQ” movement, during which the representatives of the movement submitted a petition to the office of the United Nation Secretary General, signed by 82,000 Bahrainis calling for a new constitution[2].
The prime minister, warned against “raising controversial issues which may drive wedges in the community and serve narrow personal interests”. “Democracy, openness and freedom of opinion should not be used as a pretext to violate the law, sow sectarian sedition, or falsify truths in international arenas, claiming internal liberties are curbed,” ..”Bahrain’s opinion platforms are open in total tolerance to accommodate all stances and trends as long as they serve the national interests rather than personal designs,” the Premier said. He also expressed his support for the parliamentary experience, which, he said, crowns the national project led by His Majesty King Hamad. However, he warned against misusing the parliament to raise controversial issues which could only smear the legislative lustre.[3]
Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, a powerful member of the ruling family, has been serving as Prime Minister even before the independence of Bahrain in 1971. He played a major role in dissolving the elected National Council and the semi-democratic life that took place during 1973-75. The government he was leading imposed absolute rule by assuming exclusivity of the judicial, executive and legislative powers, which led to vast human rights violations resulting in unrest and loss of lives specially in mid nineties.
During the period from 2001-2003 a reform project was declared by the new King during which Bahrain had witnessed a new era of freedoms and a decrease of human rights violations. However, in the past two years there has been a severe decline in respects to freedoms and human rights legislations and practices. The Prime Minister, holding office for a record 36 years, who is the uncle of the king, has played a major role in reinforcing old laws and manipulating the half-elected parliament to issue new restrictive laws. [4]
[1] Refer to BCHRs recent report on the issue: “The Political Naturalization in Bahrain: Various Violations of Citizens and Foreign Workers Rights- August 2006”
[2] On the issue: IGA Hosts the Organizers of the Grassroots Constitutional Petition in Bahrain
[3] Gulf Daily News, Sep 3. 2006
[4] Refer to: Freedom House: Countries at the Crossroads 2006 – Bahrain report and other international reports
