Lack of meaningful dialogue, reforms to blame for crisis, says jailed cleric in Bahrain

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A prominent Bahraini Shiite cleric and opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, has blamed the lack of genuine dialogue and meaningful reforms on the ongoing political crisis and cruel crackdown in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

The 57-year-old secretary general of Bahrain’s disbanded opposition group, the National Islamic Society al-Wefaq, on Wednesday denounced in a message the harsh sanctions imposed on democracy defenders, the dissolution of their associations and the killing of activists. and their supporters.

He highlighted the efforts undertaken by his group and other leading opposition parties and figures to resolve the political crisis in the country and stressed the need to implement meaningful reforms.

Efforts by political leaders and currents to save and elevate the country have resulted in severe penalties for democracy advocates, the dissolution of their associations, the murder of activists and their supporters, as well as imprisonment, deportation and political isolation of dissident figures, said Sheikh Salman.

He added: “The absence of real dialogue and real reforms mainly explains the serious crises in the world, and Bahrain is no exception.

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The famous Bahraini cleric also deplored the Al Khalifah regime’s refusal to hold reconciliation talks with the opposition.

If the negotiations had taken place and human rights, as well as economic progress, had been taken into account, the budget deficit would not have worsened and there would have been no need to levy taxes on the public,” he noted in his remarks.

No one should have the illusion that the suppression of idealism and democracy, freedom and respect for human rights would constitute a victory. This would actually lead to self-inflicted injuries and his losses would be huge. »

On November 4, 2018, an appeals court in Bahrain overturned the acquittal of Sheikh Salman and two of his colleagues, Hassan Sultan and Ali al-Aswad, and accused them of collaborating with Qatar to overthrow the regime against them.

The court went on to say that the trio transferred confidential information to Qatar and received financial support in return. Sultan and Aswad were tried in absentia.

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court acquitted Sheikh Salman and his two aides of espionage charges on June 21, 2017.

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Demonstrations have taken place regularly in Bahrain since the start of a popular uprising in the Arab country in mid-February 2011.

The people are demanding that the Al Khalifah regime relinquish power and allow the establishment of a just system representing all Bahrainis.

Manama, however, has gone to great lengths to suppress any form of dissent.

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