MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahrainis campaigning for democratic reforms in the Gulf Arab state staged a protest outside the US ally’s parliament building on Monday, demanding that all its members resign over protester deaths.
Seven people were killed and hundreds wounded in protests earlier this month by Bahrainis mainly from the majority Shi’ite Muslim community who complain of repression by the Sunni monarchy and Sunni ruling elite. “We came to this parliament to say that you represent the people and you represent us — take an honourable position over the killings by the army,” said Mirza al-Shihabi, one of around 500 protesters outside the building in central Manama.
They carried banners complaining of Sunni Muslim foreign nationals employed in the army and police who they say are given nationality and enjoy many benefits.
Bahrain’s crown prince, who is leading efforts to launch a dialogue with the Shi’ite opposition, said some opposition groups, who have rejected talks and continued protests, were hurting the economy of the island state, a regional banking hub.
“There are those who do not want reforms and work to stall them by unacceptable means. This disruption has … started to harm the citizens’ interests, damage their economic and living conditions and disrupt life in several areas,” said Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, quoted by state media. “This has harmed …the banking, financial and economic sectors,” the crown prince said.
Rating agencies are considering or have taken action to cut Bahrain’s credit ratings following bloody protests this month.
Shi’ites say the government excludes them from jobs, healthcare and other opportunities, a charge the government has denied. They also say the authorities, who are close to Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia, have settled Sunnis from other Arab countries and Pakistan in an effort to offset Shi’ite numbers.
“There are Yemenis and Pakistanis in the police force while our children can’t get jobs. Everyone in parliament has to resign because they are doing nothing about it,” said Umm Jasser, another protester. Protesters say many Jordanians are also employed.
“Out with the naturalised citizens!” some slogans read.
Members of the Shi’ite Wefaq bloc resigned from parliament over the deaths at nearby Pearl Square, where protesters have since camped out to press their demands for reform. But parliament has little power and the cabinet is appointed by the king and most ministers are from the royal family. Bahrain’s rulers, under pressure from Western allies, have since pledged to allow peaceful protests and offered dialogue. They also released more than 300 people detained since a crackdown on Shi’ite unrest last year and the king reshuffled his cabinet on Saturday, appointing four new ministers.
Hassan Mushaimaa, a dissident from the more hardline Haq movement, returned from London on Sunday saying he was prepared to accept a Western-style constitutional monarchy in the kingdom, a regional banking hub that hosts the US Fifth Fleet.
