Bahrain’s people need international support in their war of survival

It is a virtual war in Bahrain. It may be undeclared but it is there, waged by the regime and felt by the people in almost every walk of life. It is difficult to see a way out of it as long as the present political management remains in place.

The rulers have chosen an all-out war of annihilation against the native Baharna inhabitants and are adopting policies that could only be interpreted to be part of that war. They are channelling the country’s resources to the war efforts to ensure a total domination of the scene. This may appear a gross exaggeration, but here are the indicators.

First came the political declaration that there did not exist a partner in the political process. That declaration was made on 14th February 2002 when Sheikh Hamad imposed his tailor-made constitution and declared himself a king. That was in violation of the spirit and letter of the only legal and legitimate document embodied in the 1973 constitution written jointly by the people and the ruling family in the wake of the British withdrawal in 1971. The repeal of that constitution was a clear message from this dictator that the ruling family was the sole power in the country and that the people had no right to share power or express opinion with regards to the management of the country.

Then came the demographic change. That was the single most effective way to annihilate the native population. Tens of thousands of foreigners, mainly from regions known to breed extremism and religious fanaticism such as Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan. Bahraini nationality was granted en-mass to those whose loyalty was assumed to be guaranteed. Despite the calls to halt the process of political naturalisation, the ruling family is pressing ahead with that process in violation of the basic rights of indigenous people. Policies of silencing disenchanted voices included containment, cooption and bribery alongside sever punishment who did not conform. Queues of foreigners at passport and nationality directorate have become a familiar scene in the Manama. Social problems arising from cultural clashes have also become a phenomena. The aim of the ruling family is to alter the demographic balance in its favour. For decades the regime has been described as a minority rule, and any move towards democracy was hindered by the fact that the ruling family feared the majority population. It is now clear that the Al Khalifa rulers have been assured by friendly governments especially those of the US, UK and Saudi Arabia of support in this crime which has become a serious threat to the national fabric as well as the culture and traditions of the Bahraini society with its Shia and Sunni compatriots.

Thirdly, the war being waged by the regime became clearer following the publication last year of the Al Bandar report which confirmed the long-held suspicion that the Al Khalifa was conducting clandestine operations against the natives. The report uncovered a secret web created and run directly by the minister of the royal court, Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, a notorious sectarian figure, hated by Bahrainis. He works under the direct orders of the ruler, Sheikh Hamad. The web is headed by Ahmad Atiyyat Allah Al Khalifa, the brother of the notorious torturer, Abdul Aziz Atiyyat Allah Al Khalifa. It is a well-organised criminal net that aims to fundamentally change the social, economic, cultural and religious balance in the country.

Its members include journalists, religious scholars, spies and mercenaries. The ruler has refused any request to investigate its criminal activities. When some members of Sheikh Hamad’s shura council requested to question Atiyyat Allah, the request was flatly refused. The ruler is sheltering the web and its criminal activities in a show of defiance to the public anger and frustration. Calls have been made to the international community to intervene in order to stop these criminal activities before the country erupts in social and political mayhem.

Fourthly, in addition to the secret web, other pseudo-secretive webs are now in full swing, funded by the royal court and directed to confront political activists and opponents. A media web has been running the media show, spreading into newspapers and magazines and meddling in the electronic sites. Even the most outspoken of these sites have been infiltrated by paid “writers” to create confusion and doubts in the minds of the people, and undermine the credibility of any anti-regime activity. A new group calling itself “illa al watan” is the latest among these networks.

Perhaps the most violent of these groups are the death squads, created and run by the royal court. This was the first to be created in the nineties by Sheikh Hamad. It has been in operation ever since. The first victim was Nooh Khalil Al Nooh who was kidnapped, tortured and killed in 1998. His mutilated body was thrown at the steps of his house. Despite inquiries from the British Foreign Office, no one was arrested. Other victims were subsequently murdered by these death squads including Mohammad Juma Al Shakhouri (2001), Mahdi Abdul Rahman (2006) and Abbas Al Shakhouri this year.

Scores others were tortured or beaten in the streets by these death squads. They are used to shield the Al Khalifa from public anger, exact severe punishments on activists and create fear among the public.

This war is set to continue unabated as long as the international community remains silent and indifferent to the situation in Bahrain. It is a war of existence to both parties. The natives have never before called for the removal of the Al Khalifa. It is the ruling family that has boldly been engaged in a war of annihilation against them. Sheikh Hamad has been advised by individuals, groups and governments to take steps to change the status of his family into what would appear a majority rule. This is being done in the most ruthless way, and the people of Bahrain are paying the price. The people have been with no alternative but to continue their struggle. In the past they were endeavouring to achieve their rights. They are now attempting to defend their existence in the face of the onslaught by the regime. To them, it is a game of survival. To succeed they need the help and support of the international community. Will they be given that support?

Bahrain Freedom Movement
30/08/2007