Bahraini masses assembled on Friday evening in Freedom Square where Sheikh Ali Salman, Secretary-General of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, delivered a speech reiterating his call for a referendum. Salman challenged the regime to run candidates and win more than 30% if Al Wefaq proposed the detained opposition figure Khalil Al Marzooq as a candidate. Khalil would win 70%, he said, and if the regime wine more than 30% we will say it has legitimacy.
“I have said many many times and I repeat for the hundredth time, we condemn violence from any side and we adhere to the nonviolent method on our path for democratic transition”, Salman said, “You arrested Khalil, Abdul-Wahab Hussain and the other figures, you killed Sheikh Hussain Al-Daihi’s (deputy SG of Al Wefaq) father. I’m telling you now, start with me, arrest me for the rest of my life, arrest my brothers, children and wife, you will not gain legitimacy”.
A message on national unity
Salman affirmed that the Bahraini people’s movement for equality and democracy is fully Bahraini and independent of any foreign party.
Salman blamed the regime for the appalling situation in Bahrain because of the regime’s repression policy and refusal of sharing power with the people. He said the regime lacks qualification to manage national wealth and is responsible for the poverty and disenfranchisement in a police state. Our demands are humanitarian and we are calling for the rights of all Bahrainis, he added.
A message on dialogue
On the dialogue he said, “We were always, and we still are, with genuine dialogue that leads to an inclusive and fair solution for all Bahrainis without exclusion and discrimination. We are not running after superficial and meaningless dialogues”.
A message to the international community
Addressing the international community he said, “Everyone has known Khalil as an advocate for human rights, he is courageous in demanding democracy and criticizing the tyranny and dictatorship. You have two narratives, one is by the Bahraini intelligence who have spread inaccurate reports before about Ms Navi Pillay, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the British delegates and the American Ambassador. Their false narrative says Khalil was inciting terrorism.
And there is another narrative by Amnesty and Human Rights Watch that says Khalil calls for peace and renounces violence, so with which narrative are you? With the lies of the intelligence? Or with the world conscience? We will wait and see your stance”.
Salman called on the Bahraini people to attend an extraordinary protest march next Friday to demand equality and democracy and justice for victims of the regime’s brutality and crimes.
“I have said many many times and I repeat for the hundredth time, we condemn violence from any side and we adhere to the nonviolent method on our path for democratic transition”, Salman said, “You arrested Khalil, Abdul-Wahab Hussain and the other figures, you killed Sheikh Hussain Al-Daihi’s (deputy SG of Al Wefaq) father. I’m telling you now, start with me, arrest me for the rest of my life, arrest my brothers, children and wife, you will not gain legitimacy”.
A message on national unity
Salman affirmed that the Bahraini people’s movement for equality and democracy is fully Bahraini and independent of any foreign party.
Salman blamed the regime for the appalling situation in Bahrain because of the regime’s repression policy and refusal of sharing power with the people. He said the regime lacks qualification to manage national wealth and is responsible for the poverty and disenfranchisement in a police state. Our demands are humanitarian and we are calling for the rights of all Bahrainis, he added.
A message on dialogue
On the dialogue he said, “We were always, and we still are, with genuine dialogue that leads to an inclusive and fair solution for all Bahrainis without exclusion and discrimination. We are not running after superficial and meaningless dialogues”.
A message to the international community
Addressing the international community he said, “Everyone has known Khalil as an advocate for human rights, he is courageous in demanding democracy and criticizing the tyranny and dictatorship. You have two narratives, one is by the Bahraini intelligence who have spread inaccurate reports before about Ms Navi Pillay, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the British delegates and the American Ambassador. Their false narrative says Khalil was inciting terrorism.
And there is another narrative by Amnesty and Human Rights Watch that says Khalil calls for peace and renounces violence, so with which narrative are you? With the lies of the intelligence? Or with the world conscience? We will wait and see your stance”.
Salman called on the Bahraini people to attend an extraordinary protest march next Friday to demand equality and democracy and justice for victims of the regime’s brutality and crimes.
