Support pours in from lawmakers

Manama : A group of MPs has welcomed the proposal to ban members of dissolved political societies from contesting elections. MP Mohammed Al Maarifi rubbished the claims which state that the bill is a violation of human rights alleging that “it prevents individuals from practicing their civil right to participate in the parliamentary elections process”.

Al Maarifi, who’s the former head of the human rights committee in the Council of Representatives, commented, “Taking part in the parliamentary process, as candidates or voters, is a Constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Citizens’ rights are ensured and  protected by the law. The bill isn’t violating any of their human or civil rights.”

The legislator criticised the opposing voices to the bill, claiming that it’s “an attempt by the government to impose restraints on the political practise in the Kingdom”. He affirmed that the proposed law was submitted by the Legislative Authority, the rightful representatives of the Bahraini people, and the government.

“These societies were dissolved as per a judicial order for its continuous breach of the law. The Judicial Authority in Bahrain is independent and we trust its decisions,” Al Maarifi added. Another strong supporter of the bill was MP Jamal Buhassan, who told Tribune, “It’s important to protect the Legislative Authority from being infiltrated by individuals who follow hostile agendas against the national security of the Kingdom.”  He backed Al Maarifi’s defence of the judicial system saying, “The dissolvent decision was taken by the Judicial Authority against these societies.

The final verdict followed a number of procedures to alert and advise them to rectify their hostile stances and irregularities.” Buhassan, a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee in the Parliament, added, “Some may claim that members of these societies shouldn’t be held accountable for the actions of the heads or other members of the society”. I have said this once before, if they kept quiet about the violations of their fellow members, then they’re partners in the crime. The least they could’ve done is resign from the society and disown its agendas.” 

As for MP Hamad Al Dossary, he justified his support to the proposed bill saying “it would prevent those who work against the people of Bahrain from entering the political scene”. “I’m supporting this bill because it targets some individuals who harm the country more than benefiting it. It isolates those who are not loyal to the country, its people and leadership. All of the dissolved societies harmed the Kingdom’s reputation and security. Some of their crimes included incitement, working against the development of the nation and betraying the reforming project of HM the King that they initially pretended to accept and support,” Al Dossary remarked.

He added, “They should have focused on the true issues of the country instead of becoming tools to implement foreign agendas. The people of Bahrain need solutions to a countless number of issues, such as unemployment, retirement privileges and inflammation. The members of these societies should adopt the grievances of the people of Bahrain if they’re to represent them in the Parliament, instead of serving malicious and hostile agendas against the country. “