‘This house has no confidence in Bahrain’s promises to reform.’

Debates: ‘No confidence’ in Bahrain reform plan
13 December, 2011 – Shia Post

Nabeel Rajab, Christopher Davidson, Tim Sebastian, Abdulla Alderazi and Khaled al-Maeena participate in the debate on Bahrain’s future, held at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Qatar for the first time.

The willingness and capability of the Bahraini authorities to implement reforms in the kingdom came under the spotlight at the Doha Debates last night, where 78% of the audience voted in favour of the motion that: ‘This house has no confidence in Bahrain’s promises to reform.’
Chairman of the debates, Tim Sebastian introduced the discussion by referring to the recent report commissioned by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa into the violence and alleged torture which took place in Bahrain earlier this year, describing it as “chilling reading,” but reminding the audience that this report represents an unprecedented step for a monarch in admitting that mistakes had been made and serious offences committed.

First to speak for the motion was human rights activist and president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, who passionately expressed his belief that the current regime must be changed if any reform is to take place in Bahrain.

“How can we trust a government which has been there for 42 years to make any reforms?” he asked incredulously, arguing that member of the ruling family have such control over the country that any meaningful dialogue or reform process is impossible while the current regime remains intact.

He suggested the King Hamad made a calculated choice to commission his own inquiry into the violence rather than allowing a UN inquiry to investigate, allowing him to distance himself from accepting responsibility for events.

Editor-at-large of Saudi-based Arab News, Khaled al-Maeena was first to speak against the motion, expressing his opinion that the actions of young people throughout the Arab world have made reform an inevitability for Bahrain and other countries in the region.

He said Bahraini authorities will have to reform if they wish to remain in power, describing the issue as one of survival as opposed to a choice.

“The events were extremely sad and should never have happened,” he said, adding “the focus of the world is now on the Arab world and no longer can leaders afford to ignore these people.”

“Young people will not take the nonsense they took before,” he added.

Next to speak for the motion was Christopher Davidson from the University of Durham, an expert and author of numerous books about politics in the region. Davidson referred to the measures being taken by the king as “papering over cracks,” claiming that the ruler has been taking face-saving measures for the past 10 years to ensure that he remains in power. …more