The people and political forces of Bahrain proudly commemorate the first anniversary of the blessed popular movement on 14 February 2011.
Certainly, the people and forces are utterly determined to pursue the struggle until achieving their legitimate demands for which they had offered enormous sacrifices.
In this context, we remember the martyrs who put on display extraordinary scenes of sacrifices for the sake of Allah, the country and national principles; these honorable martyrs had made their sacrifices for the well-being of the nation and people regardless of their religion, faith and political beliefs.
Undoubtedly, we feel obliged to promote the cause of these martyrs. But for their sacrifices, the popular movement could not have confronted the machinery of repression, intimidation and treachery committed by the authorities. Sadly, security forces had reverted to the worst of medieval practices including assaulting peaceful people. Needless to say, spending of large amount of money on public relations failed to whitewash the extraordinary crimes committed during the popular uprising.
Our people's freedom fighter…
We commemorate the first anniversary of our popular uprising undertaking by youths of Bahrain, males and females, holding fast at the Pearl Roundabout for one month. The activity coincided with the outbreak of Arab Spring, a phenomenon spanning across Arab countries. Arabs in several countries opted to take to the streets to press for their democratic rights with no discrimination on any basis.
In this respect, special appreciation must be extended to Bahraini women for their determination of confronting repressive crackdown measures. Greatly, women stood fast for the cause, offering martyrs and showing willingness to enter prison. Similar to their brethren, women of Bahrain had been subjected to torture and job loss.
The political forces (Al-Wefaq, Waad, Nationalist, Alekha and Unitary) whilst showing appreciation for your sacrifices, would to reiterate the following:
1) What’s going on in Bahrain is an integral part of popular uprising in Arab countries against dictatorship, financial and administrative corruption, discriminatory practices and human rights violations. The crisis in Bahrain is a constitutional one though authorities depict it as sectarian but to no avail, as determined by investigative committees and international entities.
2) The peaceful nature of our popular uprising is not a temporary tactic but a strategic choice. The political forces refuse confrontations with security forces, as this would provide officials a scapegoat for not meeting legitimate demands of the people, as documented in the Manama Charter.
3) The political societies consider dialogue as a strategic choice, something offered long time ago. However, any dialogue not meeting basic demands such as (people being the sources of all power) and not institutionalizing democracy is pointless and not feasible.
4) The political forces hold the authorities accountable for assaulting protestors and engaging in collective punishment on areas witnessing protests. Undoubtedly, people cannot be restricted to engage in protests in certain areas. Concurrently, dividing the country into security zones especially in the capital city of Manama to the extent of undermining interests of locals and foreign residents merely serves to aggravate the situation.
5) Those who claim to be interested in cooperation and union with fellow Gulf Cooperation Council countries would not go as far destroying GCC monument, depicted in pearls raised on six ribs. Also, use of regional and foreign forces could not solve the escalating political problem facing nation, but further complicate the crisis and undermine the country’s economy and its social fabric.
6) The Pearl Roundabout that stood witness to fall of several martyrs represents a symbol so dear to the heart of many people, but it is not the sole place where Bahrainis express their legitimate political wishes. These demands include a government with representing people’s determination, a fully-empowered parliament and fair electoral districts meeting the universal practice of one person, one vote.
Finally, we promise our people to remain steadfast and to continue pressing for their rights, making no compromise on the bloods of the martyrs, injured, detainees and those laid off from work. Also, we call on the authorities to make good on implementing recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, release all political prisoners, unjustly behind bars as determined by BICI report, reinstate those unfairly fired from their jobs, and start the process of transitional justice by redressing the victims and compensating them as well as pave the way for true democracy and national unity.
Glory to our hero martyrs
Freedom to the detainees
Victory for the great people of Bahraini
13 February 2012
Certainly, the people and forces are utterly determined to pursue the struggle until achieving their legitimate demands for which they had offered enormous sacrifices.
In this context, we remember the martyrs who put on display extraordinary scenes of sacrifices for the sake of Allah, the country and national principles; these honorable martyrs had made their sacrifices for the well-being of the nation and people regardless of their religion, faith and political beliefs.
Undoubtedly, we feel obliged to promote the cause of these martyrs. But for their sacrifices, the popular movement could not have confronted the machinery of repression, intimidation and treachery committed by the authorities. Sadly, security forces had reverted to the worst of medieval practices including assaulting peaceful people. Needless to say, spending of large amount of money on public relations failed to whitewash the extraordinary crimes committed during the popular uprising.
Our people's freedom fighter…
We commemorate the first anniversary of our popular uprising undertaking by youths of Bahrain, males and females, holding fast at the Pearl Roundabout for one month. The activity coincided with the outbreak of Arab Spring, a phenomenon spanning across Arab countries. Arabs in several countries opted to take to the streets to press for their democratic rights with no discrimination on any basis.
In this respect, special appreciation must be extended to Bahraini women for their determination of confronting repressive crackdown measures. Greatly, women stood fast for the cause, offering martyrs and showing willingness to enter prison. Similar to their brethren, women of Bahrain had been subjected to torture and job loss.
The political forces (Al-Wefaq, Waad, Nationalist, Alekha and Unitary) whilst showing appreciation for your sacrifices, would to reiterate the following:
1) What’s going on in Bahrain is an integral part of popular uprising in Arab countries against dictatorship, financial and administrative corruption, discriminatory practices and human rights violations. The crisis in Bahrain is a constitutional one though authorities depict it as sectarian but to no avail, as determined by investigative committees and international entities.
2) The peaceful nature of our popular uprising is not a temporary tactic but a strategic choice. The political forces refuse confrontations with security forces, as this would provide officials a scapegoat for not meeting legitimate demands of the people, as documented in the Manama Charter.
3) The political societies consider dialogue as a strategic choice, something offered long time ago. However, any dialogue not meeting basic demands such as (people being the sources of all power) and not institutionalizing democracy is pointless and not feasible.
4) The political forces hold the authorities accountable for assaulting protestors and engaging in collective punishment on areas witnessing protests. Undoubtedly, people cannot be restricted to engage in protests in certain areas. Concurrently, dividing the country into security zones especially in the capital city of Manama to the extent of undermining interests of locals and foreign residents merely serves to aggravate the situation.
5) Those who claim to be interested in cooperation and union with fellow Gulf Cooperation Council countries would not go as far destroying GCC monument, depicted in pearls raised on six ribs. Also, use of regional and foreign forces could not solve the escalating political problem facing nation, but further complicate the crisis and undermine the country’s economy and its social fabric.
6) The Pearl Roundabout that stood witness to fall of several martyrs represents a symbol so dear to the heart of many people, but it is not the sole place where Bahrainis express their legitimate political wishes. These demands include a government with representing people’s determination, a fully-empowered parliament and fair electoral districts meeting the universal practice of one person, one vote.
Finally, we promise our people to remain steadfast and to continue pressing for their rights, making no compromise on the bloods of the martyrs, injured, detainees and those laid off from work. Also, we call on the authorities to make good on implementing recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, release all political prisoners, unjustly behind bars as determined by BICI report, reinstate those unfairly fired from their jobs, and start the process of transitional justice by redressing the victims and compensating them as well as pave the way for true democracy and national unity.
Glory to our hero martyrs
Freedom to the detainees
Victory for the great people of Bahraini
13 February 2012