Anywhere in the world, police have a tough job as they seek to maintain law and order on the street, sometimes in violent situations. But they still have to obey the law and work with restraint. It is, therefore, a welcome indication that the judiciary in Bahrain is willing to look at alleged police excesses. The Bahrain High Court has also increased the charges against three policemen from manslaughter to murder.
The policemen, including one lieutenant, are facing charges over three separate incidents, resulting in the death of three protesters that occurred at the height of last year’s troubles. Also last week, a leading Shiite activist was released from jail after he had been accused, three weeks earlier, of posting insulting tweets on Sunnis.
It is still premature to come to any wider conclusion on these two cases, but they indeed show a welcome willingness by the legal authorities to hold the police accountable and subject authorities to the highest standards of justice. This will be important as the Bahraini government seeks to promote its policy of dialogue with the opposition, some sections of which have refused to participate in the talks.
The way forward in Bahrain is for all sections of the society to take part in the process of dialogue. This process can only succeed if there is mutual respect from all sides for the others. Continued total boycott isn’t going to help in any way.
