25 April 2013

Postponing the UN special rapporteur on torture will only attract increased criticism against Bahrain – better to facilitate his entry and prove that there is nothing to hide.

Heavily unbalanced recent reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch which ignored recent reforms – after both groups had been granted unparalleled access to officials and detainees – may have led some figures to believe that cooperating with such human rights bodies was counter-productive.

However, in the eyes of most of the world, a state that does not cooperate fully with human rights representatives automatically becomes subject to doubts and accusations. Bahrain cannot afford to put itself in such a category – particularly when we have much to be proud of in our recent reform record.

At the same time, human rights entities must recognize that transforming the human rights situation and fully implementing the rule of law at a time of national crisis is not an easy thing to accomplish. Bahrain is not moving forward as rapidly as it could, but it is also true that things are progressing much more significantly than has been recognized.

The King of Bahrain has repeatedly committed this country to implementing reform and modernizing the institutions of this country to become fairer, more representative and more accountable. To continue this process Bahrain needs constructive encouragement, to ensure that those figures within Bahrain’s leadership who believe in these values continue in the ascendancy and the benefits of remaining on this path become clear to all.

Thus we call on Bahrain’s leaders to continue going the extra mile in opening this country up to international scrutiny; but we also request from human rights bodies and the media to engage constructively with Bahrain, acknowledge positive developments and not slip into habits of automatic criticism and negativity.

23 April 2013

Those people who are rushing to condemn this decision should look at the bigger picture and acknowledge that this is a good decision for Bahrain and for motor sports.

If the opposition had forced a cancellation of the 2013 Formula One and Bahrain had failed to get this contract extended, we would be looking at very isolated economic prospects indeed for the coming five years.

The result would be loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, thousands of jobs, and an incalculable loss of national prestige. Bahrain would have been damaged long after the current crisis was consigned to history. Does anyone really hate Bahrain enough to desire such a scenario?

Those people who attended the Grand Prix this year were treated to a tremendous celebration of motor sports which did credit to the teams, the spectators and to Bahrain. We’re already looking forward to the 2014 event – Long live Bahraini motorsports!

Did the opposition have a good Grand Prix? They can at least feel satisfied that they generated enough smoke and dismay for the international media to write about how ‘unsettled’ and ‘unstable’ Bahrain is.

However for those thousands of people who attended the race, the event was peaceful, festive and relaxed – not what the protesters wanted at all.

This gave rise to some much-needed favourable media coverage. For example, the Guardian concluded: “The Bahrain International Circuit can claim a victory, of sorts. There were no breaches of security at the track. More than that, the teams said they actually felt safe. The paddock was calm….”

Beaten by the heat

Worse for the rioters and revolutionaries, the April Grand Prix effectively marks the end of the protesting season. Each year – during a series of flashpoint dates in February and March followed by the big build up to the Formula One – this is the time when rioters and demonstrators are most active and most able to draw international attention.

Suddenly, as we move into the hot Bahrain summer, there are no further dates to rally activists around and the weather is far too hot to mobilize large numbers of people.

Therefore, although the clashes in various villages will continue, we can hope for nine months when the protest movement is effectively paralyzed.

Running out of steam

It is also notable that in 2011 protests often brought together tens of thousands of people; in 2012 the bigger protests tended to number a few thousand. In 2013 the major Formula One protests were never much more than a pitiful couple of hundred.

The inevitable conclusion is that the Bahrain unrest is running out of steam. At this rate of decline, it’s not unreasonable to expect demonstrations in 2014 to number a few dozen of the most hardcore elements – at which point even the most sympathetic elements of the international media won’t consider Bahrain’s disturbances to be worth covering any more.

So even if Al-Wefaq Islamic Society enjoyed the brief media attention during this year’s Grand Prix; they will be waking up to an ugly reality – their growing irrelevance.

Time to talk

Any good strategist knows when to make the most of their successes and agree terms for peace with the enemy before their strategic position becomes weaker.

Therefore, if Al-Wefaq’s Shaikh Ali Salman was a wise secretary general, he would make the decision to benefit from any strategic advantage he feels he may have gained in recent weeks in order to reach some resolution through the National Dialogue, before Al-Wefaq loses popularity and influence.

Unfortunately, we have yet to be fully convinced of Shaikh Ali Salman’s strategic wisdom, or his commitment to negotiation – every time there have been efforts towards Dialogue over the last two years, Shaikh Ali Salman has tended to adopt highly inflexible positions; make empty threats about how powerful his supporters are; or look to the Russians, Iranians or other foreign players who can weigh in on Al-Wefaq’s behalf.

Now is the time for Shaikh Ali to abandon his anti-consensual and uncompromising instincts and to sit down and agree definitive terms with other Bahraini political groupings. We say this not just because it is good for Bahrain, but also because this is the best option for Al-Wefaq before it completely loses control of events.

An honourable exit?

Just over two years ago Al-Wefaq controlled nearly half of Bahrain’s Parliamentary seats, before its rash and disastrous walk-out, setting its hopes on the politics of revolution and street violence.

This approach has failed and has done tremendous long-term harm to Bahrain. In the eyes of many, Al-Wefaq are traitors who betrayed their country while seeking to benefit themselves. However, there is still an honourable way out, If Al-Wefaq commits completely to talks – and here we mean a proper commitment rather than participating while playing delaying tactics, raising procedural obstacles and using street violence to strengthen its negotiating position.

If Al-Wefaq succeeded in agreeing a definitive solution with all parties, pledged to abandon any aspirations to destroy Bahrain’s political system, and was ready to return to Parliament – then in the eyes of many Bahrainis this would be an honourable move which put the good of the nation above sectarian and partisan interests.

For the reasons we have stated above, the alternatives to such a negotiated solution are bad for Al-Wefaq and bad for Bahrain. So let us hope that for the sake of Bahrain’s future, wiser heads prevail and this summer sees politicians on all sides making a success of dialogue.

Over the past week Amnesty and HRW have released multiple statements on Bahrain – apparently because they know that they can capitalize on heightened media attention during the Grand Prix.

Let us say from the outset that Citizens for Bahrain has the highest respect for the great work these organizations do in classifying outrageous violations around the world. However, below we set out our argument for why these organizations have got it completely wrong over Bahrain:

1)      Ignoring issues once they have been fully addressed

HRW and Amnesty rightly lobbied hard about detained medics; workers fired from jobs; military trials and other issues – but went completely silent on these matters when they were addressed in full by the Bahrain authorities – refusing to give and credit to Bahrain for resolving these difficult issues.

This is both dishonest and counterproductive, because when you fail to acknowledge positive moves then you eliminate one of the major incentives for further positive measures. We agree with HRW and Amnesty that reforms must go further, but can sympathize with those who ask: Why bother when these efforts are just met with further condemnation?

2) Treating the Bahraini Government as the enemy

We can sympathize with idealists in these human rights groups who would like Bahrain to have a human rights record like that of Sweden – but the Arabian Gulf is not Scandinavia.

A Government which recognizes that its human rights record falls short and is working hard to improve it deserves credit and support – not automatic condemnation. Bahrain is more democratic than many of its neighbours and has the desire and capacity to continue down the path of reform as a Constitutional Monarchy. Bahrain should be understood on its own merits and not treated in the same category as Syria where more people are murdered every day than in the entire Bahraini unrest.

Bahrain is a liberal and tolerant oasis in the Arabian Gulf region. We wish we could enjoy some international solidarity in preserving and strengthening this.

3)      Refusing to recognize the opposition’s anti-democratic tendencies

The protest movement for a brief moment in 2011 was diverse, representative and moderate – it is now sectarian, militant and intolerant. The leaders of this movement are not democrats by nature. Their attitudes to women, religion and society suggest the highly illiberal direction they would take Bahrain in, if they got into power: Bad for human rights on all counts.

4)      Refusal to recognize what is in Bahrain’s national interest

It is manifestly in Bahrain’s national interest to continue hosting an event that brings in hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy, employs thousands and reinvigorates tourism and other sectors. This is good for protesting communities who need jobs and services. Damage to Bahrain’s economy damages the rights and opportunities of the most vulnerable.

5)      Refusal to acknowledge the basic human rights of ordinary Bahrainis

Bahrainis have a basic right to safety and security. We have a right not to be terrorized by those using violence for political ends. Our children have a right to be threatened. Our businesses have a right to flourish without being closed due to continual rioting and political agitation. Where is Amnesty on these basic rights? Why are we made to feel that if we don’t agitate for our rights by throwing Molotovs at police then our rights go ignored?

When the Government arrests someone who has fatally wounded a policeman or has threatened to engage in terrorist activity during a major sporting event – this should not be seen as a human rights abuse. As Grand Prix spectators, we are relieved that security measures are being taken seriously.

6)      Refusal to acknowledge human rights abuses by militants

• Children are routinely paid to build roadblocks and attack police

• 600 attacks on schools have been logged

• Leaflets signed off by the “14 Feb Movement” threaten civilians of dire consequences if they take children to school or work on strike days. Businesses that have violated these strikes have been firebombed.

• Large numbers of people within these protesting communities oppose the increasing radicalization and extremist tactics but are terrorized into not speaking out

7)      Uncritically reporting opposition propaganda

The opposition shamelessly lies about events in Bahrain. Propagandists based in the West tell naive audiences about “apartheid”; “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide”. These figures do not deserve to be treated as trusted sources. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is a political – not a human rights organization. Prominent BCHR activists can trace their roots back to the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain which staged Iran-sponsored coup attempts in previous decades. Yet it is continually cited as a reputable source by NGOs which should know better.

The opposition has a well-funded propaganda machine which gets far more attention than it deserves.

8 )      Making the situation appear far worse than it is

The picture of Bahrain portrayed by these NGOs is fundamentally unrecognizable to anyone living here. Most of Bahrain is stable, safe and peaceful. It is only those of us unlucky enough to live in a protest centre, or whose businesses are closed due to constant rallies and rioting, who can’t go about our lives as normal. We resent the way Bahrain is being presented as a war zone by people who have never been here.

9)      Rehashing very old information

Amnesty’s latest report on the eve of the 2013 Grand Prix seemed designed largely to remind people that there had been deaths and abuses in February 2011, while stating baldly that things had not got any better; creating the impression that criticisms of abuses from that date still apply today.

By any impartial standards Bahrain is a completely different country from the disordered state of early 2011, and Government responses to (increasingly violent) rioting is greatly more professional – which is why recent casualty rates have been substantially lower.

10)  Refusal to recognize real reform

Both organizations talk very bluntly about “no progress on reform”. We wish again to cite the following important measures;

• Root and branch overhaul of the justice and security sectors

• Constitutional amendments for empowering elected MPs

• Returning 96% of those fired during the unrest to their jobs
• Dropping all charges against the medics

• Embarking on a process of National Dialogue

• Millions in compensation paid to victims of violence

• Cancelling the National Safety status and referring all trials to civilian justice

• Appointing the Crown Prince as deputy PM to oversee executive reform

The British Ambassador recently had this to say in response to Human Rights Watch: “We would disagree with their conclusion that there has been no progress on reform…” He concluded that HRW’s comments about the political dialogue were: “Deeply unhelpful, condescending and patronizing” – Damaging stuff for these NGOs’ credibility.

Endnote

To illustrate the core point we are trying to make, let’s compare the Amnesty/HRW statements with a statement which has just been released by Redress on torture in Bahrain.

http://www.redress.org/?utm_source=smartmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PressreleaseBahrainreport-180413

This Redress report repeatedly acknowledges steps that have been taken to address issues related to torture in Bahrain, while clearly, realistically and constructively stating what more needs to be done.

Specific actions by the Government of Bahrain are welcomed, e.g.: “…. organizations welcome the decision of the Government of Bahrain to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on torture”.

Redress also makes clear that this is about addressing the “legacy” of torture, rather than trying to give the false impression that nothing has changed.

The emphasis throughout Redress’s statement is on encouragement and partnership, rather than treating the Bahraini government as if it is the embodiment of everything evil. This is far more conducive to stimulating a constructive atmosphere where reforms can be achieved through consensus, than the combative and oppositional stance taken by these two larger NGOs.

18 April 2013

Amnesty International adds its voice to the unfair and disproportionate reporting ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Why is Amnesty International choosing this moment to issue a report to remind us of events which occurred two years ago and which Bahrainis are trying to put behind them?

We all know that in the February 2011 unrest 30-40 people died, including police, expats, citizens and protesters. We know that people were tortured and abuses occurred and we know that people were detained. We also know that Bahrain’s authorities have acknowledged this and have sought to put right the wrongs, which were done at that time.

All Amnesty’s other assertions are heavily open to dispute:

From where does Amnesty get the assertion that 26 people have died over the past 18 months?

Why is Amnesty describing people who forcibly tried to impose an Islamic Republic and with a history of failed coup attempts, terrorism and activity hostile to Bahrain as “prisoners of conscience”?

Why does amnesty cite legal trials, sentencing and imprisonment of police officers as if this is a bad thing? Why does Amnesty not accept that if there is insufficient evidence against a particular officer they should be acquitted? Would Amnesty rather that anyone who comes under suspicion be locked up or hanged? Human rights, anyone?

Amnesty attacks Bahrain for detaining youth below the age of 18, without taking note of the average age of those rioters out every night throwing firebombs at police. These naïve youth are themselves being exploited by militant groups, and many are paid to stage riots, launch attacks and vandalize property – but Amnesty seems reluctant to discuss this violation of human rights.

Amnesty rightly notes the vast sums of money wasted on PR agencies – the real crime is that Bahrain has gained nothing from this and the Government’s own PR capabilities remain highly chaotic. However, sorry Amnesty but this doesn’t count as a human rights abuse.

Amnesty tells us that “The situation hasn’t really improved since the protests broke out two years ago”; failing to note that two years ago Bahrain was on the brink of civil collapse and sectarian conflict.

Amnesty is being openly dishonest in entirely failing to credit Bahrain with a series of highly significant reforms:

• Overhaul of the justice and security sectors

• Constitutional amendments for empowering elected MPs

• Returning 96% of those fired during the unrest to their jobs

• Dropping all charges against the medics (until recently this was an issue Amnesty never stopped talking about)

• Embarking on a process of National Dialogue

• Millions in compensation paid to victims of violence

• Cancelling the National Safety status and referring all trials to civilian justice

• Appointing the Crown Prince as Deputy PM to oversee executive reform

We could go on at great length about a host of other measures, but the above points are sufficient to show how dishonest Amnesty is being with the facts and the extent to which this respected organization has resorted to printing literal opposition propaganda.

Amnesty hardly mentions the fact that it has been given full access to Bahraini officials and detainees and that the leadership has acted with complete transparency. Unfortunately for Amnesty, after publishing such biased false information about Bahrain,  many people would certainly be asking next time round why we should be granting Amnesty this kind of access, if they are going to merely stab us in the back once again at a time when most Bahrainis want to forget the violence and unrest and enjoy the Grand Prix.

Citizens for Bahrain response to British Parliamentarians

17 April, 2013

A number of British MPs from an obscure parliamentary group are calling for the Grand Prix to be halted. It appears that these MPs know almost nothing about Bahrain and base their position entirely on relentless propaganda from the London-based Islamist opposition. For their edification; here are ten reasons why it is important that the Formula One goes ahead; while providing them a few valuable insights about the reality of Bahrain:

1)    The F1 is good for Bahrain’s national unity

This is a Bahraini event held in Bahrain, organized by thousands of Bahrainis who have put effort into making this a success for the whole nation. The race unites people, despite political differences, after a period of unrest and sectarian tension.

Even those Bahrainis with little sympathy for the Government will be buying their tickets or glued to their TV screens. The Grand Prix is a national event.

2)    The F1 is good for Bahrain reforms

The F1 allows Bahrain to showcase itself to the world: Yet this also puts our society’s problems under the microscope, forcing the political system to put its house in order. This can only be a good thing, which acts as a wheel for further reforms.

Arguably, many of the positive changes have occurred because Bahrain knows it is in the spotlight. It is possible to be cynical about that, but isn’t that kind of scrutiny a major factor in forcing any politician to show that they deserve the public’s trust?

3)    The F1 is good for the mainstream opposition

Shaikh Ali Salman, leader of the main opposition party Al-Wefaq Islamic Society, stated that he is not against the F1; but they will take advantage of the press presence to present their cause to the world.

This is the one week of the year when the world wakes up and wonders what happened to the Bahraini opposition. Shaikh Ali Salman and Ayatollah Isa Qasim can imagine their moment of feeling relevant again, before the start of the hot summer months where few rioters and thugs dare to step outside in the 50 degree heat and the rest of Bahrain can enjoy a break.

The opposition loves the Grand Prix for all the fleeting attention it gains them – which is why they are out on the streets every day this week – enjoying their moment. 

4)    The F1 is good for Bahrain’s economy

Formula One is a much-needed boost to Bahrain’s economy and provides hundreds of jobs; as well as the indirect benefits to the tourism industry, catering business and other businesses which benefit from the inflow of visitors, cash, advertising, investment and media attention. Canceling the race in 2011 cost Bahrain an estimated $480-$800 million.

5)    The F1 is good for the F1 teams

It is clear that the core F1 teams look forward to the Bahrain race. Teams like Ferrari and Mercedes also have some of their biggest markets in the Gulf, so this is a great showcase for them.

They should come with a clear conscience, knowing that they are welcomed with open arms by most Bahrainis. We hope that F1 drivers will still be coming annually to Bahrain, long after the unrest is a dim and distant memory.

6)    The F1 is good for international awareness of Bahrain

How many people around the world only ever became aware of the tiny Kingdom of Bahrain because of the Grand Prix. This event truly puts our country on the sporting map. Despite superficial and ill-informed media reporting, this event also presents the opportunity to gain a better understanding of events in Bahrain and what Bahrain is all about: Three things everybody should know:

a.     Bahrain is not Iran: This is a tolerant and open country based on the rule of law, where all religions and people are welcomed and respected.

b.     Bahrain is not Saudi Arabia: Women enjoy full rights, wear whatever they want and play a central role in society.

c.     Bahrain is a Constitutional Monarchy, which has seen considerable reforms since King Hamad ascended to the throne – Bahrain is considerably more democratic than neighboring Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia or Oman.

7)    The F1 is good for Bahrain human rights

Bahrain is a tiny island. Everybody can know pretty much everything that happens here. Thus, often quite minor human rights infringements gain a lot of attention. The result is that the authorities come under unrelenting pressure to improve their record.

Things are infinitely better than two years ago; but the negative international media attention shows that there is still some way to go. If the F1 was cancelled then this pressure would largely evaporate – do people really want this?

8 )    The F1 is good for the media

The media love sensationalist stories, and with the odd smell of tear gas and burning tyres – let’s face it, Bahrain makes a far more news-worthy and conversation-starting location than most of the other bland stop-of points for the F1 teams and the flock of correspondents who follow them.

This is one of the few events which bring journalists to Bahrain, so that they can see the reality. Although they’ll enjoy heading to Sitra and Sanabis to get some footage of the rioting and escape the Molotovs – honest correspondents will be forced to acknowledge that most of Bahrain is actually very quiet and normal – and not really so deserving of all the fuss and controversy.

9)    The F1 is good for sport

Sport should not get mixed up in politics, otherwise half of international events would get cancelled and many of the rest would come under huge pressure to do so. Or are we saying that China, South Africa, the US, Mexico, India, the UAE and other venues where the Grand Prix turns up have prefect human rights and security records?

We see a constant procession of international conferences coming through Bahrain. This is not a pariah state, but a country aspiring to be at the heart of the international community.

Bahrainis love their motor racing and this event serves as an inspiration to an upcoming generation.

10) The F1 is bad for extremists, terrorists and thugs

The smooth-running of the Grand Prix is a message to the terrorists that their scare tactics have failed. They don’t terrify us with their poorly-built explosive devices or their crude threats against the general public.

The recent blasts at the Boston Marathon show that terrorism is not something particular to Bahrain and we certainly shouldn’t be cancelling the Formula One as a result.

16 April 2013

Bahrain has been once again condemned by human rights groups for cracking down on ‘peaceful activists’ ahead of the Grand Prix. According to the US Embassy’s website, the activities of these peaceful activists include:

“….attempts to disrupt traffic using construction material debris, burning vehicles, homemade tire spikes, tire fires, demonstrations near economic centers, the throwing of Molotov cocktails, the use of improvised explosive devices, and the use of improvised shotgun-like weapons and/or projectile launchers. Opposition groups have recently stolen cars and detonated explosive devices inside them…..”

The so-called “14 Feb Movement” has proudly declared responsibility for a recent wave of bombing attacks in the days leading up to the Grand Prix and they have stated their intention of escalating these. Should we be scared? Of course not.

It has been demonstrated that Hezbollah and the Iran Republican Guards have been training Bahraini militants in explosive techniques. These feeble attempts so far to spread death and terror across Bahrain indicate that these incompetent terrorists are wrong to put their faith in equally incompetent Iran which has notched up a very impressive record of failed assassination attempts in recent years.

When Iran tried to murder the Saudi Ambassador in Washington – many journalists were reluctant to blame Iran, because the whole affair was so hopelessly chaotic. However, when you look at these in the context of other Iranian spy-rings, plots and conspiracies around the region; incompetence seems to be the rule rather than the exception – except where Iran just hands over the cash and weapons and leaves Bashar Al-Assad to get on with the job of murdering the Syrian nation.

The recent explosions at the Boston Marathon which produced multiple casualties, shows that terrorist threats are not something particular to Bahrain and we certainly shouldn’t be cancelling the Formula One even as a result.

However, such incidents should silence groups like Human Rights Watch who condemn the Bahraini Government for taking action against those committed to perpetrating terrorist acts ahead of the Grand Prix. Does HRW not recognize the right of peaceful sporting spectators not to get murdered while watching their favourite racing drivers?

We may ridicule these ridiculous wannabe-terrorists, but we should not belittle the seriousness of their acts: When you put a large explosive device in a car in a crowded public area; or when you hide a bomb by the side of a road; then you clearly have the desire to kill indiscriminately – women, children, Sunnis, Shia, tourists and expats alike.

The bombs over the last few weeks may not even have ruffled the hair of passers-by; but several people were killed last year in similar circumstances; and if we give these misled youth the time and opportunity, then they will learn from their mistakes and they will set out to kill dozens of innocent people – with or without Iranian support. Therefore, the terrorist threat in Bahrain is real, it isn’t new and without decisive action from the authorities it can grow.

We welcome that Al-Wefaq Islamic Society has condemned these explosions. But rather than a low-key statement to the English-language media, this condemnation should come from Ayatollah Isa Qassim himself during his Friday sermon. – Let’s see what the reaction of these terrorists is when their highest source of authority tells them to put their explosives away and go back to playing at home. What is the most appropriate response from us – the public? Terrorists want to scare and demoralize us, to make us stay in our homes, to make us fear visiting public places.

Therefore, the most effective response is to demonstrate to these terrorists that they can’t win: To go about our lives unhindered, to ridicule them and their extremist aims – and to turn out in force to watch the Grand Prix and state that Bahrain is united and determined to enjoy itself – and to hell with the extremists!