Bahrain Opposition Seeks Dialogue in Good Faith, Media Neglected Revolution
February 14, 2011 was the beginning... 21-year-old Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima was killed... A Year later, 72 others joined Ali to the same fate, and today, the toll is still on the rise.
They are not soldiers or warriors; they are "unarmed" freedom fighters who woke up to demand democracy in their dynasty-ruled beloved country; Bahrain. Counter to the peaceful unarmed revolution was a brutal regime crackdown that continues to attack protesters without mercy.
Ibrahim al-Madhoun: One Year on Revolution, Bahrainis Remain Steadfast
"After a year since its launch, the Bahraini revolution became stronger and more steadfast. It was enriched by its youth who embraced the culture of revolution; through meeting their many [national] duties and merits", Ibrahim al-Madhoun, member of the main Bahraini opposition party al-Wefaq, told moqawama.org.
Citing all the efforts done by the opposition to reach a solution for the current Bahraini crisis, al-Madhoun stated, "The opposition welcomes any serious dialogue bids. If the regime had a serious appeal for dialogue, then the opposition is ready to join the talks".
Also, al-Madhoun clarified that "dialogue" is not an "easy come" notion, asserting in this context that all imprisoned political figures and activists should be released, and dismissed employees should return to their jobs.
"This represents an initiative in good faith, by the opposition, to commence dialogue. However; if there were to be dialogue, it wouldn't be legitimate unless the people approve, i.e. through a referendum", al-Madhoun further noted.
He indicated that if dialogue is sought to be national and legitimate, there should also be principles upon which discussions should be set. Among the said principles, al-Madhoun included the seven points suggested by [Bahrain's] Crown Prince on March 13, 2011, the Manama Document issued, in addition to the Bassiouni [BICI] Commission's recommendations.
"The Bahraini King recently delivered a "disgraceful speech", and every time, he tries to revamp the image of the regime. However; we believe that not one of the [Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry] BICI's recommendations has been implemented", al-Wefaq member said.
Nothing Enhanced, BICI Recommendations Not Implemented
Commenting on the regime claims that the situation in Bahrain "improved" since the beginning of the uprising, al-Madhoun asserted that the only thing changed was that "the King assigned new generals from the UK and US, who actually helped ignite the flame of the crisis, and increase the blunder in the country".
"In fact, there haven't been any changes, and the latest Bahraini martyrs who fell for their fate, due to the toxic tear gas, stand as witnesses", al-Madhoun said.
On this level, he referred to the excessive use of toxic tear gas, affirming that the regime is going too far in its practices against the Bahraini people.
"Some international human rights organizations, including HRW and the UN Human Rights Commissioner have demanded the regime to halt its excessive use of toxic tear gas. Some organizations, especially in the US and UK, demanded their countries not to sell tear gas canisters to the Bahraini regime", al-Madhoun said.
"They are not "tear gas" canisters used to disperse crowds, but they are actually killing innocents; more than 20 innocent Bahrainis have martyred due to these toxic tear gas", he clarified.
Arab Summit to Worsen Arab Crises
With reference to next week's Baghdad "Arab Summit", al-Madhoun said that there were confirmations and conditions for the Iraqi government, demanding it not to include the Bahraini issue within the summit's agenda.
"Toppling the Bahraini issue from the summit's agenda was the condition of the Arab leaders who are to take part in the Arab Summit. Therefore we are not expecting any good from this Summit, not regarding the Bahraini issue, or any other causes. In fact, this Summit will help deteriorate the situation in the Arab countries, as it would for example add pressure on Syria", al-Madhoun iterated.
On this level, he said, "The Bahraini opposition does not expect any "peaceful solution" to be sealed with the regime; however, it has great faith and trust in God Almighty, and in the Bahraini people. We are depending on the popular force and power of the people who strictly demand democracy".
Regarding the detainees, figures and activists who went missing, al-Madhoun went on to say that the opposition parties, led by al-Wefaq, formed a commission of inquiry to follow up this issue. He added that the said commission has handed to the Bassiouni Commission many facts and findings to rely on throughout the investigation.
Media Neglects Bahraini Revolution
Concerning the blatant media obscuring, which plays an important role in "hiding" fact of the Bahraini revolution, al-Madhoun asserted, "The Bahraini cause is subject to many unlawful and unjust practices. All uprisings in the Arab world received a high level of attention, especially through satellite channels like al-Jazeera, al-Arabiya, while in Bahrain; the media is obscuring the true image".
"The media neglected the Bahraini revolution", al-Madhoun he further said.
Furthermore, al-Madhoun indicated that during the Bahraini revolution, there remains an absurd assault against the women, not witnessed in any of the other Arab revolutions.
"Women were dismissed and arrested from their homes and jobs. The [medical] doctors who were only doing their duty were arrested, and the women were assaulted and raped", al-Madhoun reiterated.
While the trials of political detainees are still ongoing, al-Madhoun recalled that at the beginning of the revolution, there were attempts by the regime forces to silence the voices of the uprising, among which he was a pioneer. "I was arrested, and two of my kids are still in prison now, this week was their trial, and they were sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment", he stated.
This is only a tip of an iceberg when it comes to the Bahraini situation. With the US-dominance and Saudi weapons, the Bahraini light is still dimmed, yet it is glowing as the revolutionaries remain steadfast against their tyrant West-backed regime, towards achieving democracy.
Source: moqawama.org
