24 Mar 2012 DT
The National Commission (NC) report will prove to be a game changer in Bahrain’s democratic process, commission members opined.
They also reiterated that it represented a ‘fair voice of all segments of the Bahraini
society’.
The commission was carrying the expectations of Bahrain’s people as well as those of international observers, said Shura Council Member Jameela Ali Salman.
“We were committed to our responsibility as we felt it was our duty to the country, especially after the crisis,” she said.
She observed that the commission had representations from all walks of life, she said
Although some parties declined, the commission tried their best to have them in.
“Despite explaining to them that any disagreement could be referred back to the Bassiouni Commission, they were not convinced on the motive,” Shura Council Member Dr Abdulaziz Hassal Ali Abul said.
While in the past the Charter and the Constitution achieved structural reform, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) matched functional reforms, he added.
“Not every Bahraini was satisfied with the content of BICI, it was the NC who proved that there were shortages from both sides – government and rioters,” said Al Minbar National Islamic Political Society Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Ahmed Al Shaikh.
The NC reiterated in its report that law applies to all equally and also gave a message to the rioters that they should admit the mistakes and turn a new page, he added.
MP Jamal Fakhro, another NC member condemned street violence and said that the Kingdom aims for better reforms
“If all players in Bahrain politics do not partake actively in the implementation of the recommendations, we cannot achieve national reconciliation,” said Mr Fakhro.
Every implementation will have a positive impact on the political, economic and social development of Bahrain, he added. The outcome of the NC report is essential and its diversity reflects the pluralism in the society, said Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.
“The report reflected the cooperation between government and NGOs,” said Shaikh Khalid.
Bahrain still needs international expertise on advising best practices, he added.
“The committee has included a bigger circle of political powers, so that they can express the views of their supporters,” observed Al Minbar Democratic Political Society Secretary General Dr. Hassan Abdulla Madan.
“NC had nothing new on table, it is only monitoring the implementations stated by the BICI and the responses from government varied – some were quick and some slow and weak,” he said.
Despite the opposition declining to participate, the committee still represented society fairly, Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) Secretary General and member of the committee Dr Abdulla Al Durazi explained.
Moves such as the reinstatement of workers and major structural changes at the Justice and Interior Ministry were welcome changes, he added.
Moreover, the recommendations are essential to restore unity in the country, said National Unity Assembly (NUA) Secretary General Abdulla Saad Al Huwaihi.
“This will help develop our political system,” he added.
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National Commission