Bahraini King to Expand Parliamentary Power, Opposition Rejects Proposals
Amid ongoing violence and protests in Bahrain, the King has proposed changes to expand the power of parliament. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa gave a nationally-televised speech (transcript available here) in which he announced that he had drafted proposals for parliamentary power expansion to the national council. If the proposed changes are approved, the King would be required to ”ask the opinion of the heads of the Shura council, parliament and the constitutional court before dissolving the parliament, instead of just discussing it with the prime minister.” According to the Associated Press, the recommendations stem from talks between several political and civil groups that wanted to see positive changes in the Bahraini government to ease tension.
The largest opposition political society al-Wefaq dismissed the speech as having “nothing to do with the political crisis…it is very far from the demands of the Bahraini people who have took to the streets for months to demand democratic transformation and to reject the dictatorship.” The opposition has called for the institution of “ a full constitutional monarchy where the prime minister would be chosen from the elected lower house,” and “a total overhaul of the judicial system and electoral districts to secure better representation.” Abdul Jalil Khalil, a former member al-Wefaq described the King and his reform proposals as “out of touch with reality.”
Meanwhile, Maryam Al-Khawaja reported that Badriya Ali, a 59-year-old woman, has died from burns resulting from self-immolation in protest of the ongoing violence. Her house was raided in April by security forces who beat and arrested her son, and who also threatened to arrest her when she begged them to stop. Additionally, Abdulaziz Abdulredha and Ali AlSingace, formerly sentenced to death, are entering their 5th day of hunger strike protesting that they are being kept in solitary confinement.
Update: The opposition political societies of Bahrain have released a statement rejecting the King’s proposals to expand parliamentary power. There were four main points that were expressed as reasons for rejection. The full text can be found here
M/s. Pomed Wire, Please do a favor by sending the follwing message to H. Excellencies witski, US Ambassador
HE. Ian Lindsay, The British Ambassador
Reference to your press interviews in the local media.
I wish spell out for your utmost consideration.
The people of Bahrain (Shiite) ask the following questions;
1- Who did give the green light to torture the innocents, sack employees, discrimination, storming houses at midnight, displaced the well-learned Shiite who are backbone to this unsavory regime, of course, the British and Americans. Who has engendering a sense of animus and grudge against the Shiite for a long time? Who sells chemical tear gas and pistol to this decayed regime?. Why did the butchers, abuse the honor, creed, and tenets abused parents and family members and accused the Shiite of traitors to Iran? Why the US and the British collude with handful of Bedouin to deprive the Shiite of their legitimate rights? Why did you instill the discrimination and encourage them to usurper the lands and gardens of Shiite? Why the Obama Administration and Cameron Foreign Office kept silent and deaf ear when the barbarian Wahabi troops entered the island for killing and demolish mosques and Ma”atm. You the American and the British are well aware of animosities and hatred of Wahabism ideology to Shiite. Do’ not t you frightened of God or your Jesus Chris|. The Shiite are not biased and anti any religion. See your both Churches just only few meters from the Shiite houses, mosques and mat’atms for long time and nobody mistreat it and would throw any stone.
The Shiite would vow and determine to topple down this family regime and prepare for more victimization. Non of Shiite live calm with this savage members of al-Khalifa
I would also emphasize to you that not all the political societies (Al-Wefaq Islamic Society) are authorized to talk on behalf of the people of Bahrain. Every day I hear “Down with Hamad” written everywhere.
Alwefaq is he large Society is not allowed, not authorized to speak on behalf of the Shiite. The 14th February revolution is going well without ceasing and its activities are steadily strengthening.
Do you believe in a leadership depends on mercenaries, this leadership hires foes to the indigenous people (Shiite) from, Pakistan, Balouchistan, Syria (Dair Alzoor, Yemen, Jordan and Pakistan who consider Shiite infidels and authorized to fire tear gas and stormed houses to whatever they like beat, steal abuse
Please note that the gap is to wide and cannot heal it. Do you want to conspire with Al-Khalifa to kill the innocents?
I am not activist nor politician but I living among the people.
I advise you to reconsider your attitude towards Bahrain immediately.,
h many thanks.
Historical analysis to the Government of Bahrain:
Inquiries:
1- Why did Shaikh. Issa in 1971 acquiesce UN Referendum seeking legitimacy for his government against the late Shah of Iran claim svereignty over Bahrain islands ?
All the shiite observed that When the Shah droped his claim you change it entirely.
Why did bribe kings, ambasadors, political personalites generously to persaude Shah to ignore or drop his claim ?
Should Alkhalifa are acertain of their legtimacy they should not accept UN referendum, that means they are not Bahrani originally.
2- Why Shaikh Khalifa took many visits to the Shiite prominent families seeking their vote by saying we are Arab you are too, we will treat you equally and so on.
3- Why you King Hamad naturalize foeignes from Dair Alzoor, Yunnemen, Jordan, Pakistan, Baluchistan and Sunni persian families. (You know those nationalites are anti Shiite in creed.
I think the revolution is going well and will not cease although of crackdown by Saudi troops.
Why Alkhalifa sold Shiite and misplaced them before 14th february, 2011 and replaced by fanatic foreigners.
Why do you jail women, girs. It is not Arabic customs nor islam.
I advise do not depend on those nationalites.
I wish to Bahrain progress.
non-activist Bahraini.
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