Marking one year on the arrest of its Secretary General, Sheikh Ali Salman, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society in Bahrain called for a solidarity event to call for his immediate release. In December 2014, Sheik Ali Salman was arrested and later sentenced to four years in prison for his peaceful political activism for democracy and political reform. International human rights organizations described his arrest and trial as arbitrary and considered him a prisoner of conscience. The Bahraini Authorities have ignored international calls, including by UN bodies, to release Salman and drop the charges against him.
We have gathered selections from the speeches delivered in the event last night, as our headquarters in Manama were filled with men and women who turned up to show support
Makki Abu Taki- Speech on behalf of the families of martyrs
“The crisis in Bahrain is a political one, a crisis that can only be ended by finding a constitution that ensures citizens’ right to justice and equality and dignified life without discrimination. So why the arrest of the Secretary General? The people of Bahrain will not retreat in the face of the government’s lies. This is reprisal and sadism against Sheikh Ali Salman because he revealed their lies. The authorities lack a genuine desire for resolution and are still betting on lies. The people of Bahrain are victorious and the day will come when these oppressed prisoners will be free.”
Radhi Almusawi – Secretary General of Waad (National Democratic Action Society)
” We are calling on the regime to launch a courageous initiative for resolution to ease the tensed political and security scenes in Bahrain. We are also calling for the release of all political prisoners, particularly those with disabilities and diseases as well as students and children.
Wisdom lies in the release of Sheikh Ali Salman and Ibrahim Sharif and the political leaders. Solution to the crisis does not come by contempt against the opposition and dividing people on sectarian grounds, it comes through dialogue.”
Maytham Alsalman- Speech on behalf of human rights activists in
” One year on the detention of Sheikh Ali Salman, he is still calling on the regime to start a genuine dialogue that takes Bahrain to a stable political, economic and social environment. Ignoring popular calls for dialogue sends a message to the international community that it is the regime rejecting political resolution. Dialogue must be with the representatives of this people, attempts to replace these leaders will end in failure.”
Jameel Kadhim – head of Al Wedaq Shura Council (advisory board)
“One year on his arrest, what is the goal behind his arrest and prevention to play his role in leading Al Wefaq and his supporters? I think the goal that was planned for has not been achieved. The Secretary General’s statements and tweets and phone calls from his prison cell are a strong indicator of his liveliness and persistence to continue in his people’s cause.
There needs to be a transitional government that establishes for new elections , new electoral constituencies and a new constitution. Gambling on suppression and prisons will not lead to a resolution, the scene is now complicated.”
Sayed Ahmed Alghuraifi- head of Martyrs Unit in Al Wefaq
“We have gathered tonight, to speak up for the good of our country. The key to solution in Bahrain is Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman. You will not find another path to resolution. If we go back a little in history, we will see that those very same opposition leaders who were arrested [in th
e 90s], Sheikh Aljamri and other figures, were at the end of the day the key to the solution.”
Khalil Almarzooq- Assistant Secretary General in Al Wefaq
“The crisis will not end with the detention of Sheikh Ali Salman, he enjoys significant popularity and he will continue to raise this people’s demands. It is illusionary to think that somebody is going to stand in the position of the Secretary General and give up the demands of this people. When the people reject a particular political settlement, then there is no use of it. If there is a desire for a settlement than it must be expedited before problems get more complicated. Free our Secretary General and begin in a real political process, this is in everybody’s benefit because this country is for all of us, and we want to stay for all of us.”
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