Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy - Foreign Press Centers

Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
Disputes Over Political Reform: National Dialogue and Results
The naming of the BICI set the stage for the “National Dialogue” on political and economic
reform to begin on July 2, 2011, under the chairmanship of speaker of the COR Dhahrani. About
300 delegates participated, of which the Shiite opposition comprised 40-50 delegates. Of those
oppositionists, five belonged to Wifaq. 11 The dialogue, which was to last several weeks, addressed
political, economic, social, and human rights issues; each had 15 sub-themes and each sub-theme
has 90 topics. Senior Bahraini officials said the intent of the dialogue was to outline a vision of
Bahrain rather than necessarily reach agreement on specific steps. Wifaq’s decision to participate
was prompted by the government’s release, a few days prior of about 150 of those who had been
imprisoned for the unrest.
Still, the continuing detention of many oppositionists did not augur well for progress. The
prospects further diminished on July 18, 2011, when Wifaq, which had always asserted that it
would pull out of the talks if and when it became clear that its proposals for a constitutional
monarchy would not be met, announced its withdrawal. Others took note of the fact that the
Crown Prince, the principal champion of dialogue within the upper ranks of the regime, did not
chair the dialogue. This suggests he remains in eclipse by harder line Al Khalifa members allied
with the prime minister.
The dialogue concluded in late July 2011 after reaching consensus on a few recommendations,
which were endorsed by the government on July 29. The core of the recommendations, which
were relatively close to the “seven principles” articulated by the Crown Prince in March 2011,
were:
• an elected parliament (lower house) with expanded powers, including the power
to confirm or reject a nominated cabinet; the power to confirm or veto the
government’s four year work plan; the right to discuss any agenda item; and the
power for the full COR to question ministers on their performance or plans. In
addition, the chairman of the National Committee that presides over the National
Assembly should be derived from among the elected COR, not the Shura
Council.
• a government “reflecting the will of the people.”
• “fairly” demarcated electoral boundaries.
• reworking of laws on naturalization and citizenship.
• combating financial and administrative corruption.
• efforts to reduce sectarian divisions.
• There were reportedly 82 economic recommendations, including new
mechanisms to provide food subsidies to only the most needy citizens.
In part as a gesture of reconciliation after the Dialogue concluded, on August 8 the government
released the two jailed Wifaq COR deputies Matar and Fairuz, along with several other jailed
activists. In a speech on August 28, 2011, near the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan,
11 Mohamed Hasni. “Bahrain Opens Dialogue Buoyed by Shiite Attendance.” Agence France Presse, July 2, 2011.
Congressional Research Service 10