al Khlifa regime offers paranoid divisive position toward opposition Societies, makes excuses to continue Human Rights abuse and maintain wrongful detention of Society leadership

Bahrain to start new reform talks
Irishtimes.com – November 25, 2011 – societies

Bahrain will start new talks on political reforms and overhaul its security policies but still blames Iran for fomenting civil unrest, the foreign minister said today.

Foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa was talking after an inquiry into the unrest and the government crackdown to quell the protests came out with a hardhitting report that described systematic torture of detainees.

He said a national commission called for by the inquiry, headed by international rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni, to promote reconciliation would go beyond some reforms that emerged from a controversial national dialogue in June.

He said that the main opposition party Wefaq, which commands support among majority Shia, would need to be involved but it should distance itself from daily clashes between riot police and Shia protesters.

“For them to be present we should make sure that all important issues are on the table,” the minister, a former ambassador to London, said.

“Everybody concerned should be in it, and we are taking that as an important step forward. We ask everybody not to keep themselves out of these talks. Keeping yourself out means we won’t be able to discuss all the demands.”

The ruling Sunni al-Khalifa family dominates Bahrain’s government. King Hamad’s uncle Khalifa bin Salman is the world’s longest serving prime minister and the elected lower chamber of parliament does not form cabinets or have full legislative powers.

Shias complain of discrimination in jobs, housing, education and some government departments including the security forces and army.

Bahrain’s government has said it is addressing the concerns. …more