Al-Wefaq Responds to Clinton\u2019s Statement on Bahrain Rights<\/p>\n
Principal Bahraini opposition party Al-Wefaq released a statement in response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2018s call for \u201cmeaningful institutional and political reforms that take into account the interests and aspirations.\u201d The party welcomed Clinton\u2019s statement, saying the \u201cinterests and aspirations\u201d to which Clinton referred \u201chave been clearly demonstrated […] through the persistent calls for democracy\u201d and that a majority of Bahrainis have \u201ccontinuously demanded an inclusive democracy, starting with an elected government that represents the will of the people.\u201d The release says that Bahraini authorities have yet to take \u201cany meaningful steps\u201d towards meeting the wishes of its people, adding that any reforms done until now have been \u201cpurely cosmetic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of overnight clashes between police and protesters in the villages surrounding Manama, with forces firing bird shot and tear gas at the demonstrators. According to witnesses, several civilians were wounded, and many of the protesters were reportedly carrying photographs of detained human rights activist Nabeel Rajab.<\/p>\n
Finally, Elliot Abrams writes that the deteriorating situation in Bahrain is owed largely to a severe lack of leadership from both the Bahraini royal family and the Obama Administration. He suggests that since the publication of the BICI report, King Hamad \u201chas provided no leadership,\u201d while he contends that, aside from a few statements, the United States has done \u201cnothing\u201d to alleviate the building tension between the royal family and the opposition. According to Abrams, real efforts need to made to reach an agreement, such as bringing \u201ckey Bahraini leaders to Washington and [having] the President and Secretary or a high-level designee work with them day after day until something is hammered out; [and sending] a top-level empowered emissary to Manama for the same purpose.\u201d …more<\/a><\/p>\n