21st Sep, 2013 –
Let’s be very clear, there is only one satisfactory way of emerging from the ongoing unrest in Bahrain and that is through the National Dialogue process. It is our only means of shaping a shared political vision that benefits all Bahrainis.
From that standpoint, Bahrain enters very dangerous territory when various significant groups start boycotting the process.
A number of different parties have been guilty of this – both Sunni loyalist groups which temporarily withdrew in response to rioting earlier in the year; as well as opposition groups which have withdrawn on numerous occasions, seeking to impose frequent preconditions on continuing the talks.
In the short term, these constant withdrawals destroy any kind of continuity or progress in the discussions – making it very difficult for the participants to reach consensus on the key issues.
In the long term, this lack of progress or non-participation by key parties ruins the credibility of the talks and gives extra momentum to extremists and militants on both sides; ultimately making Bahrain a more polarized and divided place.
We shouldn’t play down how difficult the Dialogue process is for both sides: For the Government this means being ready to make some very difficult concessions – For the opposition it takes courage and patience to sit down and talk, at a time when more radical elements are calling for violent revolution.
Therefore, the easy road for both sides is to delay the talks, walk out of the sessions and undermine the dialogue – but manifestly, this will yield devastating results for Bahrain.
Therefore, even when opposition groups like Al-Wefaq Islamic Society believe they have good justification for suspending their participation in the National Dialogue, they must think very carefully of the consequences of their actions; they should put the national Bahraini interest above partisan interests.
The Government also has a moral responsibility not to take measures that put the success of the National Dialogue at risk; and should not create a climate where other sides feel compelled to withdraw.
Prominent Al-Wefaq figure Khalil Marzouq has certainly been using increasingly provocative language, which aims to undermine the rule of law and condone violence. Despite the official Al-Wefaq position of distancing itself from violent acts, at a rally in Saar we witnessed Marzouq waving the flag of the 14 February Coalition, an illegal militant group which has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist bombings and attacks on police.
In such circumstances, few people will be surprised that action was taken against Marzouq, and his 30-day detention while various allegations were investigated. However, some figures have pointed out that his temporary detention put Al-Wefaq in a position where – after numerous temporary boycotts of the Dialogue on flimsy pretexts – they finally had a justifiable reason for their boycott.
One could argue that there is a certain amount of blame on both sides for the talks once again being derailed – although you won’t hear anyone else publically acknowledging this: Any loyalist will tell you that Al-Wefaq don’t want Dialogue and all along they have been looking for excuses to revert to “violent and terrorist methods” to further their “extremist revolutionary Islamist” agenda.
Meanwhile, opposition supporters will argue that they have no choice and their withdrawal was an inevitable response to continued “repressive measures” by the “regime”. Needless to say, this argument will go round and round in circles endlessly, as it has for the past two years.
Playing the blame game and exploiting our opponents’ errors to justify our own inaction does not serve Bahrain’s best interests.
All sides need to behave courageously in standing their ground in the National Dialogue, even when matters seem to be going against them. We need greater commitment from both loyalist and opposition parties than we have seen to date.
Ultimately, the National Dialogue is our best and only means of reaching a political vision that secures a peaceful and united future for Bahrain. The participants, whether loyalist or opposition, must possess the determination and perseverance to follow through despite the frustrations, setbacks and hardships created by their opponents.
We hope that political figures on all sides are up to the challenge.