Manama: The European Union has expressed “grave concern” about the killing of a Bahrain policeman, saying that “violence only creates more obstacles to long- term solutions”.
Posting its stance on its Twitter account, the union of European countries said that it “noted with grave concern the twin blasts leaving one policeman dead and three injured in Bahrain over the weekend”. “The European Union once more calls on all parties to bridge the gap between communities and to work towards genuine national reconciliation in Bahrain,” the union said. “A solution to the current difficulties in Bahrain can only be found through constructive dialogue.”
On Sunday, the German, UK and US embassies in Bahrain issued statements condemning the killing of a Bahrain policeman on Saturday evening. Yasser Dhaib, 19, was killed in a homemade bomb explosion in the town of Sitra, six kilometres south of the capital Manama at 10.16pm when the police had to confront a group of individuals targeting the police station.
The US condemnation was included in a statement issued by the embassy in Manama. “We strongly condemn the increase in violent activity in Bahrain,” the embassy said. “Bahraini officials have confirmed reports of a blast on the evening of July 6 that killed one police officer and severely injured two others. The blast was reportedly caused by a homemade bomb that targeted on-duty police officers in Sitra. We view all violent activity, including attacks on police with Molotov cocktails and iron rods, the blocking of roads, and tyre burnings as completely unacceptable and unhelpful in efforts to rebuild trust and pursue meaningful reconciliation in Bahrain. We deplore such attacks and extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of all those affected,” the embassy said.
“It is incumbent upon all segments of Bahraini society to contribute to a climate conducive for reconciliation and to refrain from acts of violence and incitement,” the statement said.
A national dialogue was launched on February 10 to help heal a deep scar that has marked Bahrain since February 2011 when unrest hit the country and communities differed over the merit and ultimate purpose of street protests. However, the dialogue that brought together representatives from the opposition societies and other political formations, independent parliamentarians and three government ministers, has not been able to go beyond the discussion of its platform. The delegates agreed to have a recess on account of Ramadan, and to resume the talks in late August.
