Bahrain: Steadfast on the long path to freedom, confident of God’s victory

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Al Wefaq secretary general Sheikh Ali Salman delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of Al Wefaq’s General Conference in Sar, where thousands of Bahrainis gathered on Friday evening. He began by saluting the people for their sacrifices and agonies for the sake of freedom and justice to Bahrain.He strongly denounced the nonstop brutal measures against the peaceful prodemocracy struggle that has been taking place in Bahrain since February 2011.Salman called on the masses gathered in Sar to join the opposition’s mass peaceful march on Friday 4th April.He reiterated condemnation of all forms of violence from any side. He said the Authority is responsible for the start and continuation of violence because it is refusing the legitimate demands of the people and strangling freedoms with systematic repression against dissidents.The opening ceremony in Sar was to be followed by Al Wefaq’s general conference to discuss the annual closing reports and elect half of its Shura Council members. However, the Bahraini Authorities have banned the event in Sar. Salman called on Al Wefaq members to attend the event in the headquarters despite the arbitrary ban.In regards to the opposition’s position from the coming parliamentary elections, Sheik Ali Salman said if the situation remains as it is and no agreement is reached on a constitution draft for a real reform than the opposition’s only option is to continue its demands for real democratic transition.Salman highlighted the main problems in the ruling system disapproving the unelected Government and upper house Shura Council, as well as the blatant gerrymandering in constituencies.Salman said “The opposition parties, including Al Wefaq, believe in genuine dialogue and negotiations as a humanitarian and rational way to reach solutions. And we have always showed our readiness for this, however, we, our people, and the world have found that the Bahraini Authority lacked honesty and seriousness to engage in such dialogue”.“The repression continues on an escalating pace and some dialogue participators are being tried, like the assistant SG of Al Wefaq Khalil al Marzooq”, he added, “The hatred speech against the people has not stopped”.He stated, ” The opposition and people of Bahrain are more aware today of the regime’s maneuvers by which it has attempted to circumvent the legitimate demands of the people through its mixture of superficial dialogues on one hand, and continuing to practice repression on the other hand”.“We have seen nothing new since 2013, the Authority has shown no desire for real dialogue. The opposition is managing this issue with rationalism and taking all possibilities into consideration”, he went on. ” The opposition is with the principle of and always ready for real dialogue. Nonetheless, it will not allow for the people to be fooled again. We will not waive the just demands of our people under any threats, even if it meant sending us to jail”, he statedHe highlighted the active role of the Bahraini NGOs, teachers, journalists, workers, medics, tweeps, that advocate the people’s rights and legitimate aspirations despite all threats and repressive measures perpetrated by the authorities.“Despite the passive role of the international community, the will of the people, here in Bahrain, is strong enough to catch the dream of achieving real democracy and justice to all”, Salman said.“Al Wefaq, today, piles up the dreams of all the people of Bahrain. This is a huge responsibility laid on us, on all members of Al Wefaq who shall work harder to reach the dreams of their people”, Salman said.He emphasised that Al Wefaq has won the media battle. All the attempts to distort the true image of Al Wefaq or create divisions from within have failed, he said.Salman adressed the international community stating, “You do know that the Bahrainis are calling for a European style democracy. The Bahrainis have been peacefully calling for justice and equality for decades, and especially since 14 February 2011. And that they have been subjected to a brutal crackdown that was mentioned in Mr. Bassiouni’s inquiry commission report, the British and American foreign ministry reports, the EU parliament, the UN’s Human Rights Council as well as impartial reports by major rights NGOs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, the International Federation for Human Rights and others”.Salman made a message to the international community stressing its soft policy and secret advice to the Bahraini Authority will not stop the systematic repression against the prodemocracy struggle in Bahrain. “The continuation of this weak political action illustrates contradiction to the West’s open democratic principles and protection of human rights”, he stated.“Our people find it strange that some democratic States’ are enemy to our just demands for democracy. These States have turned into protectors of the continuation of human rights violations. In international events, they have praised Bahrain’s superficial and cosmetic changes that carry no respect of democracy and human rights”, he said.“This stance towards Bahrain illustrates double-standards by comparison to your stances towards other problems in the world, most recently Ukraine”, he added, “the Authority is using your stance as cover to continue its repression and refuse genuine reform that achieves democracy and equality”.“Mr. Obama has talked in the United Nations about Bahrain’s need for political solution a number of times. I hope his visit to the region will contribute to and push efforts for political solution forward”, he said.Salman called on the international community to help Bahrain to halt human rights violations through real and genuine action.He addressed partners in Bahrain emphasising the similar consequences of violating rights and indignity for all communities. “Having no brave stance against this miserable situation will be so destructive for our homeland, and our lives”.He also underlined the one fate for all citizens in Bahrain, where the only way to build a strong future is to go for homemade solution, with a real democracy that rights of all will be respected.Salman also addressed the minorities in Bahrain saying, “We see you as citizens with the same rights and duties of all citizens regardless how many you are, we are working ever so hard to guarantee your constitutional rights as minorities”.He then addressed the foreign residents, saying, “We welcome you as guests in Bahrain, we wish you safe and pleasant stay to make your presence fruitful to Bahrain through exchange of expertise”.To the GCC nations he said, “We have always considered you as brothers and we still do , we hope that you positively contribute to solve the political crisis in Bahrain and not send armies. In fact, we work to foster the presence of Bahrain in the GCC”./129