It seems, that no matter how hard you try, it appears many people, simply don’t believe you.
Like the member of the UK House of Lords, in the Parliament of Westminster, who put over 100 questions about Bahrain on the parliamentary question paper.
Many of them related to issues of justice and human rights.
There was a very good and measured response from the First Secretary of the Bahrain Embassy in London, denying the allegations, and pointing out the significant steps that Bahrain had taken since the incident at the Pearl roundabout.
The independent Bassiouni Commission, with some later changes, issued its final report, which was passed to His Majesty and authorities in Bahrain.
Some issues needed to be addressed.
The government accepted most of the recommendations, promising to address others, recommended for action, by the Bassiouni Commission.
There is widespread international support for the openness given by Bahrain, yet still not everyone accepted the Commission’s report findings, despite independent reports from international committees, invited to Bahrain, including inspections of prisons and lengthy discussions with Amnesty and human rights agencies including government ministries.
The protests in London continue to this day, many of them, from Bahrain, who will not be deported, despite requests to the UK to do so.
They allegedly claim “personal fear,” and concern about the justice system.
Their demands are hardly the wishes of most Bahrainis, who support their benevolent, forward-looking, caring rulership.
The protesters are supported by a coterie of UK protesters.
Walking my dog today, not my Bahrain rescue dog, Harry Lime, who went with my former wife, to Sydney, but RSPCA rescue dog from Canberra, Dusty Springerfield.
Talking to other dog owners, and in talking about our respective pasts, mentioned I spent 10 years in Bahrain.
I gave them my usual spiel, about what a great place it was to live, and it’s many virtues.
Trying to unpick some comments, it’s hard convincing people, with a mindset particularly regarding human rights.
Mud and perceptions, stick.
Discussion followed, of potentially, “dangerous places to visit;”– Bali, Thailand, Philippines, and collateral tourist damage.
Tourist travel agencies, foreign ministries, regularly update their travel assessments, warning of criminal custodial consequences (drugs in particular), in possible, “trouble spots,” in a host of countries.
Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, perhaps, but not Bahrain.