Communiqué du Wifaq suite à la condamnation à une peine de 4 ans de prison de son secrétaire-général.
The Banner of Reform is Maintained
in English Section, Slides en June 17, 2015
We have been calling for reform in Bahrain because it cannot move forward without real and active political, security, economic and social reforms that are based on the highest interest of the homeland. Such reforms entail an end to all forms of authoritarianism, oppression, corruption, discrimination and marginalization to found a well-based modern state.
Thus, the popular movement raised legitimate demands that speak for all factions of the homeland to reach and inclusive resolution.
The interest of the homeland and the citizens were highly considered from the first day Al-Wefaq was founded, whether through participation in the political process or through the boycott of elections or through peaceful civilized demonstrations.
Al Wefaq will stick to its project of maintaining this homeland despite all arrests and despite the systematic targeting of our society. Some have abandoned this path for personal interests but we remained to push for a homeland that provides its citizens with peace and security.
Because of his patriotic history and refusal to recess it, Sheikh Ali Salman was arrested and sentenced to 4 years in prison. Sheikh Ali has been attacked with attempts of defamation inside and outside Bahrain, and which included various types of immoral means not only against him, but against Al Wefaq, the national opposition powers and the political majority of the people in Bahrain. This is solely because they all, raised the slogan of reform in our homeland seeking a state in which all Bahrainis enjoy equality regardless of their race, sect, family or any other discriminative and oppressive titles.
Therefore, and because we carry a great concern, and are ready to sacrifice for the sake of our beloved Bahrain and its people, we emphasize on the following:
Firstly: We, in Al Wefaq, strongly reject any verdict that does not acquit Sheikh Ali Slaman and we will consider it void. We will consider such a conviction to lack legal bases, unjust and unsound. Our opinion in this is based on the defense panel’s observations of the trial proceedings in addition to the reports released by international organizations where they stressed that the trial is unfair and lacks the standards of a fair trial. Our opinion also stands on ourselves’ and the people’s comprehensive understanding of Sheikh Ali Salman.
Secondly: we herby stress that we will continue calling for our rights with the same humanitarian and civilized strategy that adopted by Sheikh Ali Salman. The strategy that considers the homeland’s interests over the narrow personal interests. The strategy that considers national unity, peace, security, nonviolent movement, equality and justice for all. And which fights corruption, oppression , discrimination, poverty and terror.
We will not stop calling for our legitimate rights which can lead Bahrain to a democracy, even if we have to offer more sacrifices. We will not accept oppression or marginalization, we will not accept looting of national wealth, manipulation of national security and independence and we will not accept to be enslaved.
Thirdly: we stress that keeping Sheikh Ali Salman in jail means that the political crisis will remain unresolved. A political consensus will not be reached. We stress that this is an irresponsible decision which reflects the regime refusal to genuine dialogue and political solution. Further, it will only lead to more complications in all levels.
Fourthly: we strongly emphasize that the executive, legislative and judicial powers should be ratified by the people to enjoy independency and real representation of people. Reaching a national consensus that leads to a constructive engagement is a necessity to end the unilateral control of these three powers. This can only be achieved through real reforms to make the people the source of all powers and to end the current marginalization of the citizens and alienation from decision-making.
We herby emphasize that it is important to have a well-established and sound social contract to reach fair representation and restore the people’s confidence.
Fifthly: given the current tense political disagreement and the absence of national consensus where Bahrain must be saved, we stress on the following:
The need for international and regional support has become an urgency to establish dialogue and negotiation to end the political predicament that has engulfed the country. As the authorities rely on the security option to deal with this problem, all attempts to restore national dialogue have failed due to the absence of confidence and the authority’s mishandling of the political problem. The arrest and conviction of Sheikh Ali Salman is s vivid example of this. Thus, it is most crucial today to find a social contract between the rulers and the people.
To halt the destructive security options that target the majority of the people leaving them insecure and lacking the basic needs for an ordinary stable life.
To reach an agreement to form a UN international inquiry commission, similar to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), to look into the unsolved problems, issues of disagreement, human rights violations to pave the way for national reconciliation and a transitional justice that can be a considerable exit to the political and human rights crisis in Bahrain.
We, in Al Wefaq, declare our adoption of the recommendations included in the 5th June statement of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in the United Nations, which included:
To release Sheikh Ali Salman, Nabeel Rajab and all prisoners of conscience
To open a transparent and impartial investigation into the abuses of Jaw prison
To halt the security option and lunch a genuine dialogue between the ruling authority and the opposition
To implement the recommendations of the BICI report and the HRC’s Universal Periodic Review
To create a suitable environment for an inclusive national reconciliation
The General Secretariat
Al Wefaq Natinal Islamic Society
Manama, 16th June 2015
