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Human Rights in Bahrain

On February 14th

2011, following several decades of brutal government

repression against Bahrains Shiite community, protesters took to the streets in a youth-

led Day of Rage demanding; political reforms, basic human rights and access to state

services. Since 1990s opposition groups have been imbued with a human rights frame

and as they started to mobilize thepeople, the movements demands reflect such a

development. However, the non-violent protests were met with a harsh government

response, and after international condemnation, King Hamad call on his son to create

national dialogue with opposition leaders.

At first glance Crown Prince Salman al-Khalifia seemed to have convinced

government hardliners and members of his family to work with the oppositions and

guarantee basic human rights. Whereupon, King Hamad freed some of the detained

opposition leaders, made the 14th

of February a national holiday to remember victims,

and created ICI to investigate security forces human rights violations. However, leading

opposition groups -particularly the al-Wafad partywere responsible for undercutting

the national dialogue because of their inability to manage protests and because their

demands were prerequisite for dialogue. Additionally, as a result of al-Wafad and youth

organizations who gathered at the royal palace, calling for a Bahraini republic and an

end to the constitutional monarch, Saudi Arabia and Qatar sent military troops in to quell

revolt.

The Bahraini governments list of human rights violations against Shiite majority

are extensive, to say the least, but between all its unlawful imprisonment, torture, forced

exiles, institutionalized discrimination and economic inequality. Many Bahrainis,

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especially Shiite majority, saw government concessions in the early part of 2000, as a

indication that times were changing in the small GCC state, and a future held promise of

freedom for all. In the aftermath of 2011-2012 protests Bahrains modest reforms (islah),

including women rights, broadening political participation and allowing civil society

have been completely abrogated, even to the point where King Hamad declaration of a

state of emergency. And some would say government concessions to opposition before

and after the February protests were only a faade, to appease U.S. pressure and to cause

future sectarian clashes.

Moreover, the 2011-2012 protests have inflicted irreparable damage upon Shiite

community, and especially future prospects of a free and equal society. A particular

barrier to Bahrains future is the fear and distrust between Sunni-Shiite communities that

have been exacerbated to unprecedented levels. Where in fact, both sects had protested

together on February 14th

to ensure government guarantees of basic human rights. What

will determine Bahrains future development and engagement with human rights

frameworks depends upon the willingness of U.S.s to act as an arbitrator as well as its

ability to foster reconciliation (Sulha) between Shiite opposition leaders and Bahrains

royal regime.

Nevertheless, it appears Bahraini protests have been internalized by Royal family,

Sunni leaders and community, United States, that geopolitical issues will inevitably

trump those that deal with human rights. This view reflects many developments over the

past year and thus the future opposition leaders should take heed of this particularity as

well as become better equipped with managerial skills and grass roots organization, for if

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the leaders cannot connect with the people, a revolution will be bound to fail from the

start.