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As to naming names, do you notice that until today none of the national papers name the Malkiya Baron but just refer to him as “the influential one”! If his office manager has been on Al-Jazeera looking all prim and proper and his name is has always been in the public domain, why can’t our beloved, independent, courageous papers not just call him Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa? I’m sure he won’t mind his name being mentioned, especially that he himself has given an extensive interview to one of the papers during his wall’s debacle. I can’t remember the paper, if you do please let me have a link if you could (anyone).

My insistence on a commission for truth and reconciliation emphasises the fact that we (Bahrainis) are not seeking revenge. What we are rather, is to seek social justice in order for us to live in harmony and jointly prosper. The mandate of that commission should not be restricted; in that it should have access to anyone they deem necessary to talk to and if warranted, ask for an unrestricted apology to those who have been wronged should sufficient evidence be available which implicates that person, be that the prime minister or any other high or low official. This is absolutely necessary for us to go forward.

If you notice, there are now 11 associations pushing through this Truth and Reconciliation Commission mandate and the king himself has given them his blessings. They are due to launch their program on Dec 10th, the international day for victims of torture. That is a good step an dit is in the right direction.

Therefore, on a higher level the public institutions are putting the framework for accountability. There is no harm then for people to voice their indignation, concern and demand for a torturer to be brought to justice. He will not be the only one to be put on the spot, I assure you.

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Why not chase after those first …

with ‘first’ being the operative word.

and, ‘correct but flawed’ does not make sense, as well as noting that I did not invoke the ‘I was only following orders’ defense.

Henderson should be held to account for what he did, but I notice the ease with which many people run after him FIRST rather than take on thornier targets at home. We Bahrainis (well, in my opinion most of us) like to sound off on other, softer targets in public forums (like this one) while we let the more virulent culprits off the ‘public shaming’ hook. Why? because we are far too scared to follow through and publically, identifiably name them (all the way up to the top) and take the consequences. Yes I am one of those also so I am a coward as well.

I admire the things you have done on Bandergate and defending yourself against Mad Bad Raj. But you are in a very small minority.

There is a band of people ready to stand and be counted on these issues and expose themselves to the consequencies, but I am not one and I suspect that I am part of the vast majority.

Let’s vent our public anger on Johnny Foreingner. After all he can’t really fight back…….

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But your question demonstrates why having a full Truth and Reconciliation Commission is so important. We have many wounds that need attended to and healed and only by full disclosure and owning up to wrongs made are we to finally turn the page and get on with our lives, rather than what we are doing now, stumbling toward catastrophe.

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Why not chase after those first and launch your civil cases? Hold them to account first, after all they live here don’t they and are known to most of us.

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Who else?

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