V L Srinivasan
Manama (Bahrain), March 4:
Six opposition societies yesterday presented a set of demands, including removal of the present government, as a precondition to national dialogue initiated by Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa a few days ago.
Leaders of the six societies – Ebrahim Sharif Alsayed (National Democratic Alliance Society), Sheikh Ali Salman (Al Wefaq National Islamic Society), Dr Hassan Madan (Progressive Tribune), Fadhel Abbas (National Assembly Association), Hamood Al Ghasra (Nationalist Democratic Association), and Moosa Al Ansari (Brotherhood Association) – also acknowledged the receipt of invitation for the talks from the Crown Prince's Court three days ago.
Speaking to reporters at NDAS headquarters, they announced the demands which included removal of the present government, scrapping the Constitution which was adopted in 2002, release of remaining 90 political prisoners and the “proper and independent” probe into the death of seven persons who died in the unrest in the Kingdom since February 14.
They also want that people who stage protests be protected and called upon the five GCC member states not to extend any financial support to the present regime as they should wait for the transition government.
The right of people to have a “truly elected Parliament” should be established and an interim government with high quality and integrity should take the country on par with developed nations in terms of human rights after all these years. The other demands include freedom of media and a commitment to all assurances made at the national dialogue.
To a spate of questions, the groups claimed that the government has naturalised 60,000 people in the last ten years to change the country’s demography. They also dismissed the suggestion to have a referendum on the various issues raised by them.
“We don’t want to be part of Iran, but we are calling for constitutional monarchy. We are also opposed to discrimination of people based on sects. We want an end to the tribal rule and want to be a civil society,” they said.
To another question on the absence of Haqq movement representatives, the six leaders said they will work together as the opposition had a common agenda of removal of the government. “Though we have some differences, they are small and will not affect the progress of the talks,” Mr Ebrahim Sharif said.
Manama (Bahrain), March 4:
Six opposition societies yesterday presented a set of demands, including removal of the present government, as a precondition to national dialogue initiated by Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa a few days ago.
Leaders of the six societies – Ebrahim Sharif Alsayed (National Democratic Alliance Society), Sheikh Ali Salman (Al Wefaq National Islamic Society), Dr Hassan Madan (Progressive Tribune), Fadhel Abbas (National Assembly Association), Hamood Al Ghasra (Nationalist Democratic Association), and Moosa Al Ansari (Brotherhood Association) – also acknowledged the receipt of invitation for the talks from the Crown Prince's Court three days ago.
Speaking to reporters at NDAS headquarters, they announced the demands which included removal of the present government, scrapping the Constitution which was adopted in 2002, release of remaining 90 political prisoners and the “proper and independent” probe into the death of seven persons who died in the unrest in the Kingdom since February 14.
They also want that people who stage protests be protected and called upon the five GCC member states not to extend any financial support to the present regime as they should wait for the transition government.
The right of people to have a “truly elected Parliament” should be established and an interim government with high quality and integrity should take the country on par with developed nations in terms of human rights after all these years. The other demands include freedom of media and a commitment to all assurances made at the national dialogue.
To a spate of questions, the groups claimed that the government has naturalised 60,000 people in the last ten years to change the country’s demography. They also dismissed the suggestion to have a referendum on the various issues raised by them.
“We don’t want to be part of Iran, but we are calling for constitutional monarchy. We are also opposed to discrimination of people based on sects. We want an end to the tribal rule and want to be a civil society,” they said.
To another question on the absence of Haqq movement representatives, the six leaders said they will work together as the opposition had a common agenda of removal of the government. “Though we have some differences, they are small and will not affect the progress of the talks,” Mr Ebrahim Sharif said.
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