Bahrain: Dramatic escalation following the Al Khalifa defeat on the issue of trial

The situation in Bahrain has deteriorated rapidly in the past few weeks and the stage has now been set to more polarisation between the people and the Al Khalifa hereditary dictatorship. What happened in the past three days has now set the stage for this polarisation with emerging consensus for the Sheikh Hamad’s regime to go. The world has made significant steps towards democracy everywhere except in the Gulf region.

First came the decision by the ruling family to try three opposition figures for criticising the policies of the ruler: Hassan Mushaime’, Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja and Shakir Mohammad Al Aali. This followed their brief arrest on 16th February, that resulted in a country-wide uprising. They were released immediately. Instead of addressing the grievances of the people especially the demands for a democratically-elected government, the ruling family decided to put the three on a trial that would have taken place on Monday 22nd May. The people reacted angrily, staging protests and demonstrations throughout the country. On Friday, for example, Bahrainis expressed their anger against the ruling family by staging pickets, protests and demonstrations in Sanabis, Daih, Malikiyah and other places. Sheikh Hamad ordered his death squads to attack worshippers in many mosques, and many injuries were reported.

The scene was set for a major showdown between the Bahrainis and the Al Khalifa regime. The day of the intended trial was to become a test for the resolves of both sides. Sheikh Hamad was thus forced to order the cancellation of the trial. He was forced to this decision for several reasons.

First, the trial would have definitely exposed the weakness of the regime’s accusations, as the three popular figures did nothing more than the peaceful expression of opinion. Second, the consequences of the trial would have trapped the ruling family into yet another public relations fiasco as it would have led to even more polarisation of public opinion against the ruling family. Third, he was aware of the negative image it would have left on the group of Members of the European Parliaments next week. The MEPs have been informed of the deteriorating human rights situation and the trial would have confirmed this state of affairs.

The decision to cancel the trial on the eleventh hour has, however, confirmed a more serious accusation against the regime; that the three powers are not separated but are in the hands of the ruler, and that the judiciary is a tool in his hands. It was a blow to the rule of law and a mockery of the judiciary. How can one man decide the fate of people? Where is the rule of law and where is the independence of the judiciary? It is now clear that Sheikh Hamad found himself embroiled in a situation that could cause fatal wounds not only to his personal style of rule but to his family’s chances of survival as a hereditary dictatorship. He chose to cancel the trial hoping that it would lead to a more stable situation. That did not happen.

Last night, as Bahrainis prepared to celebrate their victory against the Al Khalifa in the village of Nuwaidrat, they were mercilessly attacked by the riot police who often receive their instructions from the royal court. Tear gas and chemical agents were used against the Bahrainis who were taking part in the meeting, in addition to extensive use of rubber bullets. What annoyed the government was the unity of the various religious and ideological trends in the country. On the platform which was specifically targeted by the attackers were representatives of Shia, Sunni, Islamist and liberals who were celebrating the defeat of the Al Khalifa in the trial issue. Several prominent figures were injured as they were showered with various weapons as they addressed the people. Among them were: Ibrahim Sharif, the President of Wa’ad Society, Hassan Mushaime, the President of Haq Movement and Isa Al Jowdar, another member of Haq Movement.  It could prove to be a turning point in the tense relations between the Bahrainis and the Al Khalifa.

In addition to injuries, several young people were arrested including: Younis Ahmad Khamis, 30 and Mustafa Bahar, 18.

More protests and public meetings are scheduled for the next few days and the situation is likely to remain tense, amid calls for a popular and final rejection of the Al Khalifa hereditary rule that has failed to adapt to modern realities and the rule of law. Many Bahrainis are now publicly saying that the Al Khalifa have overstayed in power and that time has come to rid the country of their mischiefs.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
21 May 2007