Al-Wefaq: The 40-year Bahrain government suffers a lack of popular legitimacy

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - On Sunday May 6th 2012, a statement by AlWefaq Society in Bahrain calling for an elected government, as the current 40-year government is not legitimate.“The current government suffers from a lack of legitimacy of the people, has no legal bases and is therefore absolutely unable to continue. This illegitimate government is against the will of the people, who stalwartly insist on democratically electing the executive authority, bringing an end to the current 40-year autocratic dictatorship. Throughout this reign of tyranny, this illegitimate government has done nothing but forfeit the national wealth from both the land and seas. It has attacked its people through arbitrary dismissal from their jobs based on discrimination of sect, loyalty and tribe. It has unlawfully nationalised thousands of non-Bahraini’s, dragging the country into a state of political, economic and social chaos. It has failed to provide for its people, mismanaging all issues including housing and poverty. The only single issue it has given any real action to is developing brutal tactics against those struggling for democracy, through the strengthening of its security apparatus and civil militias.After 40 years of failure, the end has come for this autocratic regime. This is a government that has no rightful claim to rule its people. We believe the demand for an elected government is patriotic, legitimate and adopted by all Bahraini’s. Without doubt, the source of all powers must be the people, especially that of the executive authority, which must be formed through either direct or indirect elections. The actions of the government until now are characteristic of any without legitimacy; to fight to hold onto power whatever the magnitude of opposition it faces. Despite no constitutional or legitimate base, this government continues its violence in an attempt to prolong its life.We strongly condemn the recent indirect threatening statement made by this government. The targeting of any pro-democracy figures is wholly abhorrent and has no place in the modern world. The government that demolished mosques and desecrated the holy Qur’an has no right to have the final say on what Islamic rule means. Respecting the constitution and its institutions requires a serious implementation of the basics of this document. The sovereignty of the people is clearly mentioned in the constitution, as the people must be the source of all power. The people are the concrete base of legitimacy. Targeting the people, humiliating them and abusing their rights, are all factors destroying the legitimacy of the constituent power, which is owned by the people.Regardless of widespread popular opposition, any government in power for 40 years should be considered as not representative. The factionalism on display in the statement of the illegitimate cabinet is clearly illustrated by the man who sits at the top of that body, having done so for more than four decades. He continues to refuse to step down despite the popular call to do so.Is it not factionalism to ban the recruitment of a wide range of citizens to the security services? Is it not factionalism when security councils and all their members belong to the same family or affiliation? Or when underhandedly nationalising thousands of non-Bahraini’s in an attempt to genetically alter the make-up of the population?The people who represent the constituent power and the basis of legitimacy suffer from a terrible offense, being subjugated to the rule of the jungle, rather than real democracy. Clerics have more legitimacy to understand Islam than those who demolished mosques and humiliated Muslims, without any religious, legal or moral deterrent against doing so. Clerics are more eager to maintain a unified, non-sectarian nation, than those who spread hatred through the use of apartheid media apparatus. The threatening language used in the recent statement of the illegitimate cabinet is an obvious attempt to abuse the right of free expression and to silence its opponents. The illegitimate government is making every effort to eliminate any free voice that is calling for it to step down. At the same time, we see this illegitimate government doing whatever it can to protect its supporters and armed militias. It provides an unlawful security cover to repress democracy supporters with full impunity.We call on the authorities to refer back to the people and implement their will. It is the right and only way to develop a bright and safe future for our beloved country.”/129