Bahrain, One Year after Uprising
The US should put an end to its equivocal stance on Bahrain protests.
Almost a year ago, inspired by the Arab Spring, the people of Bahrain came to the streets to call for more freedom and an end to discrimination. The response from the security forces was swift. After a few days of unrest, the whole country was engulfed into a crisis and the government imposed a martial law. In order to bring the situation under control, a Saudi-led military force joined the local forces in the crackdown of the insurgency. After nearly two months, more than 40 Bahrainis were killed and a lot more were injured and arrested. The unrest has continued to date though with less severity.
The majority shiite population of the Persian Gulf country have for decades been regarded by the Sunni monarchy as second-class citizens. The important positions within the government have always been occupied by the Sunni minority. The same is true with the security apparatus as well as the armed forces. In fact, the monarchy has followed a sectarian policy of promoting non-Shiites at the expense of the majority of the population. Even attempts have been made by the Bahraini rulers to change the demographic situation of the country by granting citizenship to Sunnis from other countries.
From the beginning of the crisis, an accusation has been leveled against Iran for alleged involvement in fanning the flames of unrest in Bahrain. Since the opposition is mostly Shiite, the ruling establishment has found it convenient to accuse Iran-- as a country which has advocated Shiites' rights-- of inciting violence in order to easily crush the rebellion. Iran has always rejected the claim by the monarchy that it has intervened in Bahrain's internal affairs. The latest Iranian pronouncement on the issue was made on Friday by the Supreme leader who said that there is no truth in the claim that Iran has intervened in Bahrain.
Last November, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry investigating the uprising and its aftermath presented its report to the king. While the Report referred to excessive use of force including torture, it categorically stated that there was no clear evidence of Iran's incitement to the unrest in Bahrain. Despite these facts, officials from Bahrain and some other Persian Gulf countries name Iran as responsible for continued unrest in that country. The reason is clear: if Bahrain's rulers lose their power, the others will be in danger too.
During the last year, the U.S. government has taken a dubious policy vis-a-vis the uprising in Bahrain. While, at times, calling on the government and opposition to talk to each other and sort out their differences, it has mostly kept silent on the uprising and this has been interpreted by the monarchy as a green light to suppress the opposition with impunity. Few reasons can be mentioned for the present American policy towards Bahrain which includes the presence of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain especially at the time of tense relations between Tehran and Washington, the existence of billions of dollars of economic trade between the two countries including arms sale to Bahrain and the domino effect of losing Bahrain on the other Persian Gulf countries.
While the Western countries, including the U.S., have supported, even militarily, the uprisings in some Arab countries, their silence on the continued crackdown of the Shiite majority in Bahrain is not justified under any circumstances. It is incumbent upon the international community to render its support to the Bahraini opposition in their struggle to uphold their rights and achieve their rightful place in their country.
The majority shiite population of the Persian Gulf country have for decades been regarded by the Sunni monarchy as second-class citizens. The important positions within the government have always been occupied by the Sunni minority. The same is true with the security apparatus as well as the armed forces. In fact, the monarchy has followed a sectarian policy of promoting non-Shiites at the expense of the majority of the population. Even attempts have been made by the Bahraini rulers to change the demographic situation of the country by granting citizenship to Sunnis from other countries.
From the beginning of the crisis, an accusation has been leveled against Iran for alleged involvement in fanning the flames of unrest in Bahrain. Since the opposition is mostly Shiite, the ruling establishment has found it convenient to accuse Iran-- as a country which has advocated Shiites' rights-- of inciting violence in order to easily crush the rebellion. Iran has always rejected the claim by the monarchy that it has intervened in Bahrain's internal affairs. The latest Iranian pronouncement on the issue was made on Friday by the Supreme leader who said that there is no truth in the claim that Iran has intervened in Bahrain.
Last November, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry investigating the uprising and its aftermath presented its report to the king. While the Report referred to excessive use of force including torture, it categorically stated that there was no clear evidence of Iran's incitement to the unrest in Bahrain. Despite these facts, officials from Bahrain and some other Persian Gulf countries name Iran as responsible for continued unrest in that country. The reason is clear: if Bahrain's rulers lose their power, the others will be in danger too.
During the last year, the U.S. government has taken a dubious policy vis-a-vis the uprising in Bahrain. While, at times, calling on the government and opposition to talk to each other and sort out their differences, it has mostly kept silent on the uprising and this has been interpreted by the monarchy as a green light to suppress the opposition with impunity. Few reasons can be mentioned for the present American policy towards Bahrain which includes the presence of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain especially at the time of tense relations between Tehran and Washington, the existence of billions of dollars of economic trade between the two countries including arms sale to Bahrain and the domino effect of losing Bahrain on the other Persian Gulf countries.
While the Western countries, including the U.S., have supported, even militarily, the uprisings in some Arab countries, their silence on the continued crackdown of the Shiite majority in Bahrain is not justified under any circumstances. It is incumbent upon the international community to render its support to the Bahraini opposition in their struggle to uphold their rights and achieve their rightful place in their country.