I would like to thank John Churchilly for bringing attention to the humanitarian situation facing the Ahwazi Arabs. Whether one agrees with every aspect of the political debate or not, highlighting the suffering of ordinary people is always worthwhile.
As citizens of the Gulf, we should not limit our concern to our own societies. Our region is closely connected by geography, history and culture, and humanitarian crises affecting neighbouring peoples deserve greater attention from academics, journalists and, most importantly, civil society organisations.
Research, documentation and informed public discussion are essential to ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities are not forgotten. Gulf civil society organisations specialising in human rights protection have the potential to play a much more active role in studying such issues and contributing to regional and international dialogue addressing these concerns.
Governments can also help create an environment where credible and professional human rights institutions can flourish. Many countries have encouraged the development of independent organisations with the expertise to research complex issues, document evidence, and play a pivotal role in international dialogue.
What is currently missing is the institutional capacity of relevant civil society organisations. In Bahrain, many civil society organisations have made valuable contributions in the fields of charitable and social work, both locally and regionally. These efforts deserve recognition. At the same time, however, Bahrain’s civil society has an opportunity to broaden its horizons.
Following the many reforms undertaken by the kingdom in various fields, local organisations should now be ready to expand their focus and become active participants in regional and international human rights research, advocacy and dialogue.
The Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) can conduct a comprehensive assessment of the organisational capacity of Bahrain’s human rights civil society organisations, identifying existing gaps, and recommending a roadmap for government support. Sometimes, the support required is simply to provide guidance and facilitate access to specialised training offered by the United Nations and other reputable international organisations.
Yousif B
&uuid=(email))