Bahrain faces serious backlash of Al Khalifa’s ethnic cleansing policies
The internal strife in Bahrain is showing signs of getting worse on two fronts; the polarisation of feeling son ethnic fault lines between native Bahrainis (both Shia an Sunni) and the foreigners imported by the ruling family, naturalised, employed and re-settled. Last week, a young Bahraini was beaten up by a gang of “new Bahrainis”.
The incident happened near Roundabout No 19 of Hamad Town. There was a swift reaction on 12th December from hundreds of native Bahrainis (Shia and Sunni) who attacked the newly-built settlements in the area. Riot police were deployed to separate the two groups as the feelings and emotions ran high. Incidents of this kind are widespread as a sense of resentment spreads among natives who suffer from lack of employment and housing, while modern settlements are built for the “new Bahrainis”. Many view this policy as a systematic “ethnic cleansing” aiming at disturbing the delicate demographic balance which had existed for hundreds of years. It also confirms the people’s suspicions that their occupied country is being systematically abused and plundered as never before.
The policy of “importing” new citizens or as some commentators dubbed it as “designer citizens” has often backfired. In addition to social strife, there has been several incidents in which “new Bahrainis” slapped Sheikh Hamad in the face, causing him enormous humiliation. The case of Michael Jackson who was taken to court in London by of the ruler’s sons was a severe blow to that policy. Sheikh Hamad ordered the immediate withdrawal of the case form the court as it exposed the extent of corruption of Bahrain’s ruling family and how people’s wealth was being plundered. No details were leaked about the settlement, but some sources have suggested that Michael Jackson emerged the winner from the case as Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa suffered a humiliating psychological defeat.
The second case took place recently when Kenyan-born runner Youssef Saad Kamel revoked his Bahraini residency and accused the Al Khalifa of withholding bonuses, lack of respect and encouraging him to lie about his age according to Kenyan officials said on Wednesday. Kamel, who finished fifth in the Beijing Olympics men’s 800 metres final, made the allegations in a Dec. 9 letter to Athletics Kenya. “This is to inform you that I…have decided to revoke my residency with Bahrain with immediate effect,” it said. “I also object to the recruitment of underage Kenyan athletes by the Bahraini Athletic Association,” the letter said.
“I would like to draw your attention to my first Bahrain passport which shows I was born in 1987, while my date of birth is 1983…This change was done to enable me represent Bahrain in the junior category of IAAF Championships which I declined because the Kenyan authorities would have raised objection.” The head of Athletics Kenya, David Okeyo, told Reuters Kamel’s letter had been forwarded to the Kenyan government, Bahraini authorities and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) “for further action”. He did not elaborate.
Meanwhile a solid programmed of action to commemorate the “Day of the Martyrs” on 17th December has been announced by the Committee of Martyrs and Victims of Torture. It includes a mass demonstration on the day, a visit to the graves of the martyrs and their families and public gatherings and pickets to call for the punishment of torturers. Sheikh Hamad had issued the notorious Law 56/2002 that had granted impunity to those involved in torture. Despite international pressures to repeal this act that is in clear contradiction to Bahrain’s commitments under the Convention Against Act (CAT) that it had signed in 1998, Sheikh Hamad has insisted not only on protecting torturers, but in some cases, rewarding them through promotions.
In London, the Bahraini opposition has also planned an action plan. On Monday 15th December they will picket the reception party organized by the Al Khalifa Ambassador at the Dorchester Hotel. Bahrainis and their supporters will stage the picket to draw the attention to those “guests” to the atrocities being committed by the Al Khalifa against the people. On Thursday 18th December, a major seminar will be held at the House of Lords, called for by Lord Avebury, the co-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee. It will be held at 11.00 am at Moses Room. Several Bahraini non-Bahraini activists are expected to address the seminar. To attend the seminar, Lord Avebury many be contacted on 020 7274 4617, or ericavebury@gmail.com.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
14th December 2008