US and UK reactions to the suspension of Al Wefaq could be regarded as hypocritical, given their ongoing and full support for strategic interests here and in the region – including military and investment contracts.
In fact, several UK ambassadors to Bahrain have openly acknowledged that the situation on the ground is hugely improving – but they seem never to have been taken seriously by Foreign Office mandarins or certain Commons MPs.
Suspension of Al Wefaq was vital, as it had become more violent and extreme – targeting and killing police officers and citizens in randomly and increasingly brutal attacks. The society is no longer the moderate end of Bahrain’s opposition, but has morphed into something very sinister and dangerous.
Ill-informed criticism could cause long-lasting damage to US-UK-Bahrain relations, as previous ambassador Iain Lindsay recognised, giving unquestioned support to Bahrain’s government, and condemning pro-opposition media. He also denounced a Human Rights Watch report on Bahrain as deeply flawed and unhelpful.
Acceptance of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was further proof of reform progress – only two weeks ago it was announced that all its recommendations had been met.
In this context, for Mr John Kirby, assistant secretary and spokesman for the Bureau of Public Affairs in Washington DC, to say that he is deeply troubled by suspension of Al Wefaq by Bahrain’s government, is ridiculous.
My dear Mr Kirby, it would surely be more appropriate for you to concentrate your concerns on what is happening in your own back yard! Facts that you never make public.
In 2015 for instance, your policemen killed 965 citizens, but managed to escape adequate punishment.
In another disgraceful mockery of human rights, female prisoners in the US have been forced to sleep with their gaolers in return for better conditions. In the last 10 years, 57 women convicts were killed in jail.
Other disturbing facts…
Over 46 million people in America live below the poverty line, with more than 48 million unable to afford three decent meals a day. Nearly 560,000 have no shelter, and 33 million are without health insurance. For your information, all Bahraini citizens are entitled to free medical services, including major heart surgery.
More facts…
Over 88 per cent of black Americans are dealt with disrespectfully every day by white policemen.
Sixty-eight per cent of black Americans are meted out a different, harsher form of justice compared with their white counterparts.
Mr Kirby, Bahrain doesn’t suffer from such social illnesses. We all enjoy the basic necessities of life. And in the eyes of the law we are all equal. Unlike in your country, where 80 per cent of the nation’s wealth lies in the hands of one per cent of the super rich!
Again I highlight your concern that a political society has been suspended. Would you really allow in the US any such society to continue which preaches violence and hatred, whose followers are mostly teenage children encouraged to throw Molotovs at policemen and disturb the peace and tranquility of society at large?
Mr Kirby, why don’t you issue a statement outlining the long list of human rights violations in your own country – or do we understand that you see the US as the model of perfection depicted in Plato’s Republic?
Finally, let me assure you that Bahrain is not a cruel society, but a benevolent one. However, Bahrain’s government has a duty to protect residents and citizens from the dangers of Al Wefaq and its evil paymasters in Iran, who never hesitate to instigate bloody chaos in this country!
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