Summary: Bahrain has dissolved its main opposition party, the Shia Al Wefaq. A decisive move away from political compromise.
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1 thought on “Bahrain liquidates Shia opposition”
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I agree this must be the end of the road for a compromise solution, at least with Al Wefaq – and any extra-parliamentary opposition. The onus must now be on the authorities to find another route to managing their relationship with the Shia community. There is a clear risk that suppression of Al Wefaq and its clerical authorities will lead militant members of the opposition to escalate their attacks on the police and target other symbols of the state. The government needs to provide the broader Shia community with reasons to reject escalation. Any reversal to BICI recommendations already implemented would be counter-productive. Instead, the government would be wise to find ways to strengthen the hand of the 14 independent Shia members of parliament elected in 2014 by enabling them to demonstrate the benefits of participation in parliament in ways not granted to Al Wefaq after 2006. Movement on other BICI recommendations not so far fully or partially implemented in response to calls from the People’s Assembly would offer one way forward. Such action would also reassure Bahrain’s allies whose concerns have been raised by the measures taken by the government since the end of May.