The National Democratic Opposition Parties in Bahrain announced they are to boycott the coming Parliamentary elections unless a clear political agreement is reached. This agreement must define a new constitutional formulation and realise the principles of a democratic system of governance, where the people are the source of all authorities.
They added that any elections in Bahrain must be free, fair and based on equality, and to elect a legislative council that exclusively owns legislative and oversight powers.
“These elections must produce an elected government reflecting the will of the people, an independent judiciary and a security services that consists of Bahrain’s diversity.” The Opposition said during a press conference today at the Headquarters of Al Wefaq.
“The regime must implement all its obligations before the international community. This includes all recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the United Nations Human Rights Council, with the unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience as a starting point, beginning with children, women, students, elderly and those with illnesses.” They added, “The regime should put an end to all hate speech adopted by the state run media, that targets all opponents and a broad range of citizens.
“As the regime continues to slip into a sectarian authoritarianism and a deepening of the security approach, there is an ongoing deterioration of the crisis that will only strengthen the causes of instability and put civil peace at serious risk.” They said.
The authority’s continuous refusal to engage in genuine negotiations, and reach an agreeable resolution for the crisis, puts the country towards an unknown future. This leaves no option for the opposition but to continue with the peaceful popular struggle that erupted in February 2011. The opposition will work on developing the peaceful popular struggle for democracy, from its patriotic position and faith.
International allies of Bahrain should provide advice and make efforts to urge the tyrannical regime to respond to its people’s legitimate demands in order to reach a permanent and inclusive stability. It is unacceptable to expect the people of Bahrain to be satisfied with exclusion, marginalization and corruption.
This is the stance of the opposition ahead of any upcoming elections and it is based on a realistic analysis and historical experience. It can only change if the political situation in Bahrain is changed, through a constitutional consensus that is produced via an inclusive political process.
Finally, the opposition parties affirm that national unity is a core principle in all aspects of its programs. We will stick to political activism that is based only on peaceful principles and continue to reject all and any violence.
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