Bahrain opposition seeks UK support as tension simmers
By Frank Gardner – BBC

The leader of Bahrain’s main opposition party has called on the UK government to act as a mediator with the ruling al-Khalifa family if progress towards democracy remains stalled in the troubled Gulf state.

In a meeting with the BBC, Sheikh Ali Salman, the leader of the al-Wefaq party, said western countries, including Britain and the US, needed to do more to prevent Bahrain falling prey to extremism by both sides.

“I believe that we need more from Britain and the US to achieve, on the ground, the change to democracy without any delay. The advantage is for everyone – Bahrainis, Americans, British,” he said.

His call came as both the ruling family and the political opposition said they wanted to resolve Bahrain’s difficulties by dialogue. Yet, in practice, the two remain far apart, with ongoing criticism of the country’s human rights record.

This has been my fourth visit to Bahrain since the Arab Spring uprisings began last year and, despite the calm on the streets in the heart of the capital, Manama, it is still a deeply divided and troubled place with tension simmering in the restive villages that ring the capital.

Dozens have been killed in clashes since protests erupted in February 2011 and Bahrain has been heavily criticised recently by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Al-Wefaq says that if anything, human rights in Bahrain are deteriorating, with a recent blanket ban on protests.

There have however been some reforms, following an international commission of inquiry last year. There are now CCTV cameras in police stations and prisons, and police are given extensive training in public order. …more