BahrainIslamic Awakening

Opposition political societies in Bahrain: “Manama Document”

Main Opposition Political Associations announced in 12 October 2011 “Manama Document” in Bahrain.

Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society (Waad), Nationalist Democratic Assembly, National Democratic Assemblage, Al-Ekha National Society considered that “The reality in Bahrain is no different from any non-democratic state, a copy of Tunisia’s Ben Ali , Egypt’s Mubarak, and Yemen’s Saleh.

Lack of democracy is evidenced by absence of popular will in formation of the government, confiscation of popular resolve in legislation, and a deficient judiciary. Recent verdicts issued by the judicial system have received widespread condemnation, described by Navy Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as political prosecution and depicted by Amnesty International as travesty of justice”.

And declared the Primary demands of Bahraini people:

The majority of people and mainstream opposition groups desire to see burgeoning of democracy whilst maintaining the monarchy under the slogan of “people want reform of the system.” Proceeding upon the seven principles spelled out by the country’s crown prince on 13 March 2011, demands of the people can be summed up as follows:
1) An elected government representing will of the people rather than an appointed government. Through their elected representative, people can cast vote of confidence to the prime minister, other ministers prior to assuming their jobs and have the means to withdraw granted confidence should they fail in their duties.

2) Fair electoral districts guaranteeing political equality amongst the people and meeting the universal principle of one person, one vote. At the moment, the current 40-member electoral system is malfunctioning by virtue of dividing the country along sectarian lines, and producing a chamber comprising of loyalists of the regime. In realty, each of number one district in northern and central governances plus number nine district in the northern governance, boasts some 16,000 voters. Conversely, the same numbers of voters in the southern governorate, known for being a loyalist to the regime, can equally elect 6 representatives.

Concurrently, a call is made for establishing an independent commission for administering the election process rather than being dominated by the state through justice ministry and statistical agency.

3) A parliament comprising of a single chamber having sole legislative and regulatory powers, replacing the current bi-cameral arrangement, one elected and the other appointed.

4) A trustworthy judicial system independent from the executive branch both financially and administratively. The judicial system must act in transparent ways and serve as an impartial entity and show willingness to look on all cases including possible assaults carried out by members of security forces.

5) Security for all via participation of all walks of life in the country in formation of the army and other security apparatus on the basis of providing security for all, and trained to show respect for human rights at all times, rather than serving wishes of the government in suppressing the opposition.

These demanded reforms stipulate setting up a new constitutional formula, in turn requiring approval of the majority of people via either an elected constituent assembly or a popular referendum. In retrospect, the crown prince has embraced the notion of the referendum whilst announcing his ٧ principles on 13 March 2011.


The “Manama Document” added three critical issues must be addressed in parallel with the mentioned political reforms, namely

1) Political naturalization: This can be addressed through setting up a committee mandated to study cases of granted citizenship over the last 20 years, sorting out granting passports via questionable means and correcting wrong cases in the context of human rights.

2) Discrimination: It is vital to do away with all sorts of discriminatory practices on any basis whilst addressing consequences resulting from this wrong policy.

3) Official media: Agreeing on a new media policy encompassing views of all nationals

The Opposition Adopted methods of:

In pursuit of democracy, opposition forces intend to fully and solely embrace peaceful measures, as follows:

1) Popular movement: Engaging in peaceful rallies, marches and sit-ins as guaranteed by international conventions notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2) Media sources: Making use of traditional and modern media means, inside and outside Bahrain.

3) Political activities: Keeping channels of communications open for all those interested in reforming the system as well as reaching out to governments and associations across the globe.

4) Human rights issues: Recording all major human rights violations and communicating them with concerned international organisations in the hope of stopping such wrong practices.
Opposition forces are determined to attain their just demands via adoption of peaceful measures and rejection of tyranny.

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