Civil societies vow to resist attempt to 'hijack economy'

Manama: Twenty-nine political, vocational, cultural and women's societies on Saturday pledged to shrug off civil lethargy and resist what they called attempts by extremists to hijack the country and scare off investors.

"The situation in Bahrain has reached such a level that we can no longer remain silent when individual and civil freedoms are flouted and everyday life, particularly sources of income, suffer," the societies said in a statement to the press, entitled "We Have a Right".

"There is no doubt that targeting individual and civil freedoms also means targeting the national economy and foreign investments which have begun to seriously assess the state's economic policy. Some investors have withdrawn from Bahrain and moved to neighbouring countries where they can enjoy healthier investment conditions and better business opportunities," said the societies grouped under the banner of the National Campaign to Protect Individual and Civil Rights in Bahrain and which held its first forum last month.

The gathering denounced attempts by extremist movements, MPs and municipal councillors to impose their views and called for joint efforts to fight back.

"The liberal movement is increasingly popular and we call upon every individual, society and movement keen on reinforcing Bahrain's tolerant reputation and economic, social and cultural achievements to contribute according to their potential in the national campaign "We have a Right", which uses reports, conferences and forums to convey the message of the majority," the statement said.

Activists and imams call for 'truth'

Rights activists and imams have called for a swift and conclusive statement from the competent authorities on the case of a Bahraini man whose sexual abuse claims have sparked three nights of riots in Manama.

Hundreds of people, including religious figures and women, called for the "whole truth and nothing but the truth" about the claims and the aggressors as they marched on Friday afternoon to the house of the alleged victim in Al Ekr, a village 10 km south of Manama.

"This is a peaceful demonstration to show support to Abdali and to call for justice against the perpetrators of the heinous aggression," Shaikh Saud Al Saeed said amid calls by organisers not to engage in any act of violence or sabotage.