In the Daily News Egypt, Ron Kampeas writes that Bahrain “is softly encouraging the US-led push for democratization in the Middle East as the means toward stabilization.” In showcasing his country’s commitment to pluralism, last week in New York King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifainvited expatriate Jews to return home to Bahrain, and offered to allocate land for new homes. Adding to his recent philosemitic credentials, the king has also appointed Jews to high level government positions.
To balance out this feel-good oddity, check out the POMED notes from this recent event on Bahrain, in which the speakers described the systematic oppression and marginalization of the majority Shia by the ruling Sunnis.
On Thursday October 16, 2008, Jasim Husain, Member of the Parliament of Bahrain and of the Al Wefaq bloc held a press conference at the National Press Club highlighting some of the major problems facing the small Gulf island. These include: discrimination, gerrymandering, unemployment, poverty, overreliance on the oil economy, improper spending, and regional competition. Husain hopes that highlighting these issues will give other members of parliament an incentive to work vigorously to address them as the new session of parliament opens on Sunday.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the Congressional Task Force on Religious Freedom co-hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill featuring Toby Jones, Nabeel Ahmed Rajab, Abduljaleel Al Singace, and Maryam Al Khawaja to discuss the state of political reform and religious freedom in Bahrain. The briefing was chaired by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA).
The panelists talked about the systematic oppression and marginalization of the majority Shia by the ruling Sunnis. They called for greater U.S. engagement, and stressed that they do not seek the overthrow of the regime, but merely the guarantee of equal rights and religious freedom under the current system.
Ali Eteraz analyzes the implications of Bahrain’s naming of the Arab World’s first Jewish ambassador. The ambassador, Houda Noono, will be Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States, and Bahrain’s third female ambassador. Eteraz sees this as evidence of regional attitudes that indicate slowly increasing engagement with Jews by Arab states. There are also reports that Bahrain may give full citizenship rights to Jewish returnees, a monumental step as Gulf nations are hesitant to allow immigrants come in and acquire citizenship.
A senior Bahrani official claims the appointment is not a public relations stunt. “This move is not propaganda. It reflects a climate of tolerance toward minorities in Bahrain,” the official continues. Bahrain, in which a Sunni monarchy rules a Shiite majority, is a key U.S. ally. Nathan Guttman in an article at Forward, says the appointment is “…being described by Middle East experts not only as a sign of an increased effort by Bahrain to include women and religious minorities in the political process, but also as an indication that the country is taking seriously America’s concerns about democracy and equality in the monarchy.”
Secretary of State Condoleezza Ricecalled for greater financial and diplomatic support for Iraq during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting with Arab foreign ministers in Bahrain on Monday while Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikirebuked neighboring states for not doing enough to strengthen ties with Baghdad, write off Iraq’s debts or stop militants from entering his country.
Marc Lynch over at Abu Aardvarkcomments on the “muted” Gulf response to Rice’s pleas, arguing that the Arab leaders don’t seem to be responding to Rice’s pitch for supporting Iraq against Iran.
Meanwhile, Rice said today, while in the Gulf, that the Bush administration explicitly warned former President Jimmy Carter against meeting with members of Hamas.
At Huffington PostMahmood N. Al-Yousif discusses the government of Bahrain’s attempt “to start the process of imposing a clampdown not unlike that of the State Security Law” in response to the killing of a police officer.
The Parliamentary measures are intended to “ensure stability and restore harmony” but Al-Yousif sees it as a “restriction of personal freedoms and those of expression they affirm.” The new law would monitor websites and mosques voicing sectarian hatred, something he views as “heinous.”
He affirms that to develop a more whole civil society the government must set an example: “To be more tolerant of others and their views and to accept that others can and do have differing, sometimes contentious opinions.”
And while he asserts free speech for all, Al-Yousif denounces the sectarian divisions that plague Bahrain’s government, calling for a more representative system that will discontinue “whole ministries and state institutions to be saturated by members of certain sects.”
Check out this Economist report on rising tensions in Bahrain, fueled by rising property costs, unemployment and wages depressed by foreign labor, and increasingly, resentment among the poorer, majority Shi’a, of their wealthier, more privileged Sunni counterparts. It also examines the frustration of Shi’a parties in the Bahraini parliament, such as the Wefaq National Islamic Society, which are beginning to recognize how few powers the parliament truly has.
Also noted is U.S. reluctance to strengthen the parliament against the royal family, “America is wary of calling for more democracy. It fears that parliamentarians may turn against America’s naval base in Bahrain, its biggest in the Gulf; last year a majority of them declared that it should not be used in any war between America and Iran.”
Be sure to check out the April issue of the Arab Reform Bulletin from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This month’s edition features a fascinating interview with three key female political actors from the Gulf on women’s political participation: Rola Dashti (Kuwait), Fatin Bundagi (Saudi Arabia), and Munira Fakhro (Bahrain).
Also included are a critical look at next week’s municipal elections in Egypt by Khalil al-Anani, an examination of the fairness of Morocco’s electoral system by Michael Meyer-Resende, and an article on President Bush’s budget request for fiscal year 2009 and what it means for democracy in the Arab world, by POMED’s Stephen McInerney.
Their news roundup also covers many fascinating developments such as the opening of the first church in Qatar, a constitutional amendment in Tunisia that should make it possible for more candidates to run in the presidential election next year, and labor unrest in the UAE.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Simon Hendersonargues that Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa’s visit to Washinton this week touched upon the challenges the stability of U.S.-Bahrain relations faces “given increasing divisions in the royal family, simmering discontent among the majority Shiite population, and perceived threats from Iran.”
The Bush Administration sanctioned a Bahrain bank for supposedly aiding Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, demonstrating Washington’s growing effort to cut off financial flows into Iran from Persian Gulf states.
Michael Rubin, Danielle Pletka, and Jeffrey Azarva at the American Enterprise Institute’s “Dissent and Reform in the Arab World” project have released a report that analyzes how to empower democrats in the region. A collection of essays touches on the Bahraini government’s control of the media, some positive steps in Jordan, and efforts to mobilize the opposition in Syria. A collection of editorials from the Arab press touches on issues ranging from oppressive silence in Tunisia to challenges for change in Iraq.
A highly recommended read, the Arab Reform Bulletin of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is now available in its March edition. The issue contains an analysis of the the latest efforts by Arab leaders to stifle Arab media, an examination of Morocco’s Party of Justice and Development (PJD)’s attempts at inclusion, and a look at Fatah’s future prospects of survival.
Reinforcing concerns over the state of democracy in the world, Larry Diamond in Foreign Affairs points to specific problems in the Middle East. “And aspirations for democratic progress have been thwarted everywhere in the Arab world (except Morocco), whether by terrorism and political and religious violence (as in Iraq), externally manipulated societal divisions (as in Lebanon), or authoritarian regimes themselves (as in Egypt, Jordan, and some of the Persian Gulf monarchies, such as Bahrain).” To help resolve this backslide, Diamond encourages the West to be stricter with its standards for democratization and to condition aid on marked improvement.
In a brief meeting in Sharm el Sheikh, President BushcongratulatedEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian people by saying “progress toward greater political openness is being led by the Egyptians themselves” and “my hope is that the Egyptian government will build on these important steps.” Not everyone feels Bush’s remarks are truly heartfelt. “Both the brevity of Bush’s stop and the content of his statement reflect the malaise that has afflicted U.S.-Egyptian relations for nearly a decade now,” writesMichele Dunne. Egyptian journalist Hisham Kassem told the Associated Press that “Washington backed off on pressing Egypt on democracy after the Muslim Brotherhood made a surprisingly strong showing in 2005 parliament elections and the radical Hamas group won Palestinian elections.”
In Bahrain this weekend Bush praised Bahraini King Hamad for being “on the forefront of providing hope for people through democracy” and holding “two free elections since 2006” but failed to mention how the elections in 2006 were completely unmonitored and people were still being arrested and allegedly tortured for political beliefs. Only days before Bush’s arrival, human rights activist Abduljalil Alsingace tried to deliver a petition to the U.S. Embassy complaining about the lack of democracy in Bahrain. At the Commentary Contentions blog, Eric Trager describes Bush’s speech in Bahrain as the “greatest misfire” of the trip, criticizing his failure to honestly appraise the lack of democracy and address concerns of the majority Shiite population.
Marina Ottaway and Michele Dunne write for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace of the problematic nature of managed reform, introduced by kings and presidents. Reform across the Arab world, they argue, is most often pursued with the goal of modernization, which includes projecting “a veneer of political openness” while retaining autocratic control of governance.
In their comprehensive analysis, they assess the history and prospects for democratic reform in Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt. Dynastic succession, regime repression, an ‘easily satisfied’ international community, and fluid constitutions continue to frame the region’s process of reform, they write.
Marina Ottaway and Michele Dunne write for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace of the problematic nature of managed reform, introduced by kings and presidents. Reform across the Arab world, they argue, is most often pursued with the goal of modernization, which includes projecting “a veneer of political openness” while retaining autocratic control of governance.
In their comprehensive analysis, they assess the history and prospects for democratic reform in Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt. Dynastic succession, regime repression, an ‘easily satisfied’ international community, and fluid constitutions continue to frame the region’s process of reform, they write.
In the Khaleej Times, Suad Humadareviews criticism of Bahraini MP’s as they concentrate their efforts on corruption investigations, which some argue detracts from their legislative priorities. There are only 40 members of parliament in Bahrain, and some local activists decry the lack of assistance MP’s receive in addressing the many demands on their time.
Habib Toumi of Gulf News reports today of a planned index to measure corruption in the Arab world, championed by the organization Arab Parliamentarians Against Corruption.
Yesterday, Project on Middle East Democracy and Freedom House presented a panel of speakers addressing the issue of reform in Saudi Arabia and the other Arab Gulf states. Thomas Melia, Deputy Executive Director of Freedom House and former Director of Middle East Programs at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and Ali Alyami, Executive Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, spoke on reform in Saudi Arabia. David Mikosz, Associate Director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at the American University in Washington, D.C., and Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science at George Washington University and Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, spoke about reform in the other Gulf states.
The overall consensus of the panel was that Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states are among the least free in the world and the minimal reforms that have taken place are largely symbolic. However, there is some hope that democracy could develop gradually though accretion of power by parliaments or other consultative bodies. The panel also encouraged US pressure on the Gulf states to support reforms.
Event Details
Date: November 1, 2007 2:30pm
Panelists
Thomas Melia, Deputy Executive Director of Freedom House
Ali Alyami, Executive Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
David Mikosz, Associate Director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at the American University
Nathan Brown, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Moderator:
Stephen McInerney, POMED’s Director of Advocacy
Downloads
Click here to read POMED’s full notes on this event.
Click here to watch a video transcript of this event on fora.tv or use the embedded player below.
Jane Kinninmont, in the Daily Star, looks at the progress of al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s largest legal opposition party, in the last year since it won 17 of 40 seats in the Parliament. She points out that though al-Wefaq has little real legislative power, it has had some influence on policy, including in public-sector housing and unemployment. However, the party faces several challenges in transitioning from an opposition movement to a parliamentary bloc, including challenges from the ruling establishment, internal arguments and a rival opposition group.
In the Daily Star, David Mikosz writes that local and/or national elections in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula are due partly to democracy promotion, but more to popular demand for increased participation. He cites examples of high voter participation followed by low participation in a later election because of disappointment with actual reform, and argues that most people participate when they think their vote matters. He says that the creation of nonpartisan election administration bodies will help continue this trend toward political participation.
