Independent Human Rights Investigative Commission promulgated

Finally.

We have an official, independent and accountable commission to look into the events of the last few turbulent months in Bahrain composed of international figures who will have unfettered access to sources of information in order to compile a comprehensive report of the human rights abuses which happened in this country, recommend prosecutions of those found in the wrong and raise the resulting report to His Majesty by 30th October 2011. The report will be made public in total as guaranteed by the king. I’m sure that the local human rights organisations (the real ones) will act their part and ensure that they provide the necessary oversight.

Phew!

I haven’t looked at the backgrounds of those entrusted with this task, but they do sound genuine. Still, this is an excellent and much needed step to aid the long road to recovery, reparation and reconciliation.

Here’s the official translation of the king’s speech this afternoon, and this is a link to the Royal Decree #28 of 2011 outlining the roles and responsibilities of the commission.

Next steps?

As far as I’m concerned, throw Adel Flaifel OUT of the National Dialogue, his presence will poison the whole proceedings, he should never have been invited under any pretenses until he faces justice and offers apologies to those he tortured as part of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission with powers such as that of South Africa which should be created immediately, and then we can witness Bahrain’s recovery for it to take its rightful place among modern and self respecting nations.

The Dialogue Beckons

I’m honoured to have been invited to participate in the National Dialogue. I shall accept with humility and dedicate whatever time I can muster to ensure its success. Like other fine men and women of this country, I look forward to helping this country get through the bottleneck it has been afflicted by through its own means and resources.

I shall participate in this dialogue without any political or religious affiliations. I shall go as myself, but fully cognizant of Bahrain’s current and future generations. My suggestions will be guided solely by the right of every single human being to live with dignity and in security. The principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights shall guide me and the Freedoms of Expression will be a fundamental demand.

I look to your good wishes and support, not for me, but for a whole country which suffered over the last four months. I hope that this suffering will lead to a better and more equitable future. The country and its people, all of its people, deserve nothing less.

Lost & Disgusted

I have been thoroughly depressed over the last few weeks. Everywhere around me bad news persists; people dancing over dead bodies and urging for more killings, people whom I thought to be friends started to regard me as a mortal enemy, people throw about choice terms like “traitor” and “unpatriotic” with vitriol and not much thought. What I previously heard as hesitant questions, whispered normally, enquiring whether a person was from “us” or “them” are now loud shouts of “he’s shi’i” and “she’s sunni” with pointed rigid fingers, blood-soaked eyes and wide open saber lined mouths not caring for the future of this country or its people.

Reason, it appears, has disappeared. The benefit of the doubt has no place.

Will a dialogue ameliorate these feelings? Will it put the country back on a reconciliatory track? Will we ever think of an inclusive “us” rather than solidify an already created and maintained cantons of rage?

I don’t know any more.

I’m just a simple Bahraini who’s now lost, and thoroughly disgusted.