Planned protests in Bahrain ‘politically motivated’

Manama: Protests planned for next month in Bahrain are part of a political agenda and not of reforms, the spokeswoman for the government has said.

“Violence and terror are rejected completely, especially those that are linked to a political agenda, and not reforms,” Sameera Rajab said. “Bahrain has constitutional institutions and whoever has a legitimate demand can liaise with any of the numerous institutions to fulfil their aspirations or press for their demands. There is a parliament and there are deputies representing the people as well as dedicated advocacy groups. All these channels can be used without the need to resort to violence or terror. There will be legal action against those who participate in the so-called ‘Tamarod’ [Rebellion] movement,” she told the media on Sunday following the weekly cabinet meeting.

The Tamarod movement in Bahrain, named after Egypt’s “Tamarod” rebellion movement, has called for massive protests on August 14.

Al Wefaq, the main opposition society, said in a statement that the people had the right to express their views freely and to organise protests and rallies. However, Sameera, Bahrain’s state minister for information affairs, insisted that the movement was an extension of a group attempting to topple the political regime.

“The so-called Tamarod movement in Bahrain started with the February 14 group who are standing trial right now in connection with a wave of bombings and violence. The recent increase in violent incidents in Bahrain and in allegations is part of a politically driven agenda. The problem is, with the return of security and stability in Bahrain there are parties that want to prove the opposite in order to execute their own purely political agenda. Reform and security are major reform demands, but there are special and legitimate means to make them,” she said.

Bahrain has been sharply divided since February 2011 following deep divergences over the merit and purposes of a protest movement in the wake of the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. However, the events in Bahrain in February and March have reportedly scarred the society and created a deep chasm between the Sunni and Shiite communities in the country. Efforts to heal the rift and address the issues have been resisted by both sides despite the launch of a national dialogue in July 2011. An extension of the talks to tackle political issues started on February 10, but despite numerous sessions that brought together 27 delegates representing the opposition, other political societies, independent parliamentarians and government ministers, the participants have yet to agree on a platform and on an agenda. The dialogue is now in recess due to Ramadan, the sacred month for Muslims, and will resume late in August.