Bahrain opposition parties present visions of dialogue and solution to Royal Court Minister

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - On Wednesday 5th, the National Democratic Opposition Parties in Bahrain have sent a letter of its visions to the Minister of Royal Court Sheikh Khalil bin Ahmed Al Khalifa through the post office.The letter emphasized on national unity for a stable and peaceful society that establishes for a new phase in politics on the path to a radical solution for the constitutional political crisis.The letter contained two parts, the first is about the opposition’s vision on a roadmap for a bilateral dialogue. The essential points included:§  Meetings should be held between the representatives of the ruling family and a delegation of the National Democratic Opposition Parties in the coming dialogues.§  The dialogues should continue on what has been agreed on with the Crown Prince until agreements between different sides mature.§  Bilateral dialogues must be put into a timeline so the process will be fruitful and genuine. The opposition parties are whiling to attend at least 3 meetings a week.§  The ruling family must present its vision for a political solution in these meetings.§  It is necessary to ease tensions through political and security détente to create a suitable environment for the required political process in Bahrain.§  To halt all politicized trials as well as prejudiced measures that are being practiced against the majority of the people and to release all political prisoners, starting with the detained children and school and university students as well as women, elderly people and those who are disabled or suffer from deformities.§  To halt sectarian incitement in religious tribunes and the official and quasi-official media.§  Opposition leaders in prison must be allowed to participate in the dialogue and present their visions.The guarantees and mechanisms to implement the dialogue agreements must be legitimized through a popular referendum.The second part of the letter is related to the dialogue’s agenda:The democratic opposition parties presented the most crucial issues which will help reach an inclusive political resolution: Fair elections and electoral constituencies supervised by an independent body, and based on transparency, equality for all which is based on one vote for each citizen according to the international principles. To conduct a detailed study on the options that meet the aspirations of the people of Bahrain by forming an elected government in which political blocs are represented in according to their electoral weight. The government must be subject to the procedures for granting and withdrawal of confidence and questioned by the elected parliament. Also, the elected representatives council must enjoy full legislative and monitoring powers. The judiciary must also be reformed to be fair and impartial.The opposition’s visions also stressed that political discrimination practiced against a wide segment of the society, especially by depriving them jobs in State security and military apparatuses. This goes to the political naturalization of foreigners that threatens the country’s future wealth and establishes for social crises. This problem must be solved through humanitarian and a social manner. The opposition once again denounced violence from any side and emphasized coexistence and pluralism and unity. All Bahrainis must be allowed to exercise freedom of expression in a civilized and peaceful manner in accordance with international standards and covenants.The opposition parties stressed on the necessity to form a committee to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report according to recommendation no. 1715 by guaranteeing a balanced participation of the opposition.The recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council must be implemented along with an agreed upon national program to bring transitional justice and national reconciliation and to protect public land and wealth from corruption and looting.The National Democratic Opposition Parties assured willingness to cooperate with all political forces to reach a national resolution that achieves democracy, freedom, social justice, equal citizenship, sustainable development and power-sharing.The National Democratic Opposition Parties8th February 2014 -Bahrain/129