BAHRAIN’s parliament has approved a raft of measures designed to penalise Iran for its ongoing support of militant extremists.
Motions to revoke Iran’s membership of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) and launch an Arab boycott of Iranian products were passed by MPs yesterday.
They approved a proposal to ask the OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states, to hold a vote on Iran’s membership.
While the OIC describes itself as “the collective voice of the Muslim world”, Bahraini MPs want Iran booted out over its support of terrorists and its “clear breach of Islamic values and practices”.
They also demanded convicted terrorists, who have received death sentences upheld by the Cassation Court, to be executed immediately.
It follows last Friday’s oil pipeline blast in Buri, which authorities have blamed on Iran, as well as an ongoing campaign of violence targeting Bahrain’s security services.
Only last month a police officer was killed when an improvised explosive device was detonated next to an Interior Ministry transport vehicle on a major highway.
Radical groups have been carrying out such attacks since 2011, allegedly with support, funding and training from Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hizbollah.
During yesterday’s weekly parliament session, MPs also approved calls for a special meeting of the Arab Parliament in Bahrain to discuss Iranian aggression – and tasked the organisation’s vice-chairman, Bahraini MP Adel Al Asoomi, to make the arrangements.
Parliament postponed its original agenda until next week so it could focus on the oil pipeline explosion and the threat posed by Iran. That was based on a suggestion by National Partnership Bloc president MP Hamad Al Dossary, which was signed by 20 MPs.
“The Iranian aggression against Bahrain has been going on for the past 150 years through various ways and means, but never has the country seen a mainstream component of the economy being directly targeted through an Iranian-masterminded terrorist act – but that’s what happened in Buri,” said Mr Al Dossary.
“We can’t debate regular legislation, even if two bills are related to terrorism, while Iran’s puppets in Bahrain continue to run wild.
“We should address them with tough measures – tougher than tough.
“Since 2011, Bahrain has witnessed 55 major terrorist attacks involving explosives, booby-trapped cars and firearms – killing or injuring policemen and sabotaging infrastructure facilities.
“In their confessions those arrested have acknowledged Iran as the sponsor and incubator.
“Twenty-two policemen have been martyred and 90 suffered serious injuries including disabilities, while Iran has issued 1,380 official statements against Bahrain.”
Parliament legislative and legal affairs committee vice-chairman Anas Bu Hindi said revoking Iran’s OIC membership should be a priority for the Muslim world.
“Iran calls itself an Islamic Republic, but it clearly breaches Islamic values and practices,” he said.
“It shouldn’t be a member of the OIC, a respected organisation that unites Muslims under its banner.
“Islam is not a word, it is brotherhood, and our (Bahrain’s) leadership has to call for an urgent meeting so a vote is taken to kick them out.”
MP Jamal Dawood proposed the Arab Parliament should vote on a boycott of Iranian products, a move that would target Tehran’s economy.
“We severed political ties with Iran alongside Saudi Arabia, but it continues to thrive commercially with goods on sale here,” he said.
“That needs to end through a joint Arab Parliament decision.”
All of the suggestions were backed, including a call by MP Mohammed Al Ahmed to immediately execute those found to have killed police officers with Iranian support once the appeal process was exhausted.
“Punishing those killers with what they deserve will be a lesson to others planning to follow in their footsteps,” he said. “It is time to show no mercy.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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