bahrain

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many calls to “the opposition” to come to talks on the way forward and, so far they have not done so. The peace loving gentle ordinary people of Bahrain deserve better. This is, I know, an emotional statement for which I make no apology. I love Bahrain and have many friends there (I know not whether they are Sunni or Shia) and would be devastated if the progress of the last 60 years or so is destroyed by those who wish ill to Bahrain and its people. When asked many years ago what reason I could give for my love of Bahrain and I was able to say without hesitation, “the people” and my opinion has not changed since then. 12 November 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO SAUDI ARABIA SO AM NOT ABLE TO COMMENT ON THAT COUNTRY 32
Executive summary: Written Evidence from Dr Omar Al-Hassan The UK's relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain SAB 15 Bahrain and Britain share a rich history of strong and meaningful relations, as illustrated by the level of support Britain has extended onto Bahrain both prior to and following its independence in 1971. The two countries have always circumvented the challenges they face through dialogue and understanding. Britain acknowledges Bahrain’s critical positioning in the oil-rich Gulf region, and thus is astutely aware of the pivotal role that Bahrain plays in terms of global energy security and the stability of the international system. Distinguished relations between both countries have aided Bahrain’s democratic development Introduction In response to the calls for evidence by the Foreign Affairs Committee I feel it is important in the introductory remarks to recall the recent progress that has been made within Bahrain in terms of incremental democratic reform and the provision of human rights guarantees. I would also like to offer my own evaluation of the period of unrest that has followed the events of February and March 2011 which I believe to be unnecessarily prolonged due to the opposition’s obstinacy. 1-1 Since King Hamad came to power in 1999 Bahrain has undergone a period of profound democratic development, as illustrated by: • Issuing an amnesty for political prisoners in February 2001, allowing the return of exiled persons, and rescinding the state security law and court. • Drafting the National Action Charter which was subsequently approved by 98.4% of voters in the 2001 national referendum. • Issuing the amended national constitution in 2002. • Conducting parliamentary and municipal elections in 2002, 2006 and 2010. • Permitting the establishment of political societies - a precedent for the Gulf region. By 2012 there were 20 political societies in operation, along with 656 civil society organizations (compared to 275 in 2001), and several trade unions. • There have been over 10 charters, agreements and treaties related to human rights. A Ministry of Human Rights was also established in 2011. • In 2000 the Press Association was established, issuing licenses for the creation of new newspapers. As of 2012 there are more than 14 newspapers in Bahrain. • Although temporarily prohibited – Bahrain has witnessed a number of sit-ins, marches and demonstrations in Bahrain, with approximately 420 such events in the last three years alone. • Empowering women socially, politically and economically. In 2002, women were notably able to vote and stand for political office for the first time In 33
Page 1 and 2: House of Commons Foreign Affairs Co
Page 3 and 4: 1- Introduction Written evidence fr
Page 5 and 6: * The role played by the Media, off
Page 7 and 8: * Based on its history and long run
Page 9 and 10: egion; each Arab State is unique. B
Page 11 and 12: experience in the 1980’s. It was
Page 13 and 14: opposition everywhere got its story
Page 15 and 16: temples and places worship for many
Page 17 and 18: Summary Written evidence from Peter
Page 19 and 20: Written evidence from Bharat Jashan
Page 21 and 22: has played a key role in stabilisin
Page 23 and 24: Written evidence from George Willia
Page 25 and 26: Written evidence from Amjad Bseisu
Page 27 and 28: Summary • Raymond Weaver • Resi
Page 29 and 30: Written evidence from the Bahrain H
Page 31 and 32: SAB12 11. We are now certain that f
Page 33: Present day I spend at least one we
Page 37 and 38: • Personnel previously prosecuted
Page 39 and 40: Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oma
Page 41 and 42: � John Yates declared on 6/5/2012
Page 43 and 44: In the context of the UK’s histor
Page 45 and 46: Judiciary 9. In 2007, legislation w
Page 47 and 48: Written evidence from Sir Harold Wa
Page 49 and 50: Summary of evidence Written evidenc
Page 51 and 52: threat to Saudi Arabia, partly beca
Page 53 and 54: deepening distrust requires an enor
Page 55 and 56: SAB 21 Written evidence from Dr. Sh
Page 57 and 58: life too many. We have announced co
Page 59 and 60: aspirations must move away from the
Page 61 and 62: SAB 23 Written evidence from Paul M
Page 63 and 64: that it could change if political c
Page 65 and 66: general living condition of residen
Page 67 and 68: help each other when they experienc
Page 69 and 70: Governments and the people as a uni
Page 71 and 72: At the same time, we should also se
Page 73 and 74: ‐ Dr Jasim Husain, former MP for
Page 75 and 76: Populatio Life expectancy Size Expa
Page 77 and 78: frontiers, either or ally, in writi
Page 79 and 80: Much international criticism of UK
Page 81 and 82: its human rights commitments, it is
Page 83 and 84: Written evidence from Caroline Noke
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deeply held cultural mindset, which
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Introduction: 1. For decades the li
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12. Initially such incidents were r
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to having an established political
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eformist credentials of the Bahrain
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UK policy towards Bahrain 9. Human
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• It should take a strong and con
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Why the Gulf Matters 1. The Gulf ha
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The Gulf Initiative 6. In recogniti
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Counter-Terrorism 17. Saudi Arabia
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Human Rights 24. Saudi Arabia has a
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29. Following the arrest and woundi
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users including the Police, Ministr
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• investigations by the Special I
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een renamed the Arab Partnership an
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SUMMARY OF SUBMISSIONS Written evid
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(i) Bahrain’s failure to hold off
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death of 22‐year old citizen jour
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(iv)Deflection of criticism by reli
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approach to human rights, led by th
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Executive Summary • Saudi Arabia
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The Saudi Government (controlled by
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[8] The UK’s occasionally unpredi
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emain independent of political buff
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policy has placed considerable emph
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Written evidence from Islamic Human
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security advisors such as the notor
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… damage[s] public affairs in the
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the continued abuses in the kingdom
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3. I therefore approached support f
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adicalization of Bahrain’s politi
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(V) how the UK can encourage democr
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27. The second issue is the long‐
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1. Abstract This report outlines th
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4. A Society Divided 4.1 Demographi
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4.3 Politics The political and econ
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5. Bringing the Parties Together: A
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6. What role for Britain? More than
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The UK’s Relations with Saudi Ara
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6. The society believes that cleric
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Written evidence from the Royal Uni
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needed it to counter the influence
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13. The conflict in Syria, which is
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outside observers be assembled to w
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Bahrain: Evolution or Revolution, O
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SAB 60 representing all Bahraini op
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SAB 60 consultants and PR companies
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SAB 60 November 2012) made the impo
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to Prince Turki al‐Faisal in a Wa
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14. A call for a ministry of women
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Written evidence from Robert Lacey
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five central pillars of Islam instr
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via Turkey’s client dynasty, the
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10. The Committee should seek to me
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Contents Written Evidence from The
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diversification through English, sk
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education to support entrepreneuria
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4.2 There are, however, commonaliti
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Arabian government has repeatedly a
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1.1. Recommendations 19. The UK gov
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4. Death Penalty 32. Since the begi
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5.1. Recommendations 46. The UK gov
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Conclusion The situation of human r
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