Manama: Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa said that force should be used only after every other appropriate option has been exhausted.
“The directives of His Majesty the King, the Supreme Commander, are very clear and stress the full respect of the constitution and the law and that they should not be abused in any way,” Prince Salman told senior officers from the interior ministry. “Force is used only when all security alternatives have been exhausted and there must be no discrimination in dealing with the citizens, regardless of their affiliations and sects. Public and private property must also be protected,” he said as he hosted an iftar for the ministry’s officers and officials.
Prince Salman said that Bahrain was keen on moving forward with reforms, development and justice.
“We are for legitimacy and stability and we do not hesitate to engage in introspection. Whoever says otherwise is wrong as was clear following the publication of the report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the implementation of its recommendations,” Prince Salman said.
The international commission of legal experts was set up by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa in June 2011 to report on the events that hit Bahrain in February and March and their consequences.
The commission, chaired by Professor M. Sharif Bassiouni, published a searing report and issued a series of recommendations to help improve the social and political situation and heal the rift that resulted from months of deep suspicions.
The government pledged to implement the recommendations, set up an ad hoc commission and enlisted support from international experts, particularly in the areas of security and justice.
However, the opposition that has not officially endorsed the report said that the implementation has been slow, a charge that the government has rejected.
Prince Salman commended the interior ministry for taking up several initiatives in response to the recommendations.
However, he said that all segments should be part of the forward-looking movement.
“We do not hesitate to issue directives towards achieving the interests of the nation, but on the other hand, those who stand on the other side, be they community, religious or political leaders, should adopt a clear and specific stance on violence and scare tactics. Justice and fairness require that all negative attitudes be stopped to allow the men and women of Bahrain to feel safe and secure. Such a positive position should be implemented in words and deeds,” he said.
