Bahrain’s king seeks talks on unrest

Bahrain’s king has called for national dialogue from July 1 as the troubled Gulf kingdom seeks a way to resolve its political crisis after a 10-week violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

In an important reconciliatory gesture – the first since the crackdown began – King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said on Tuesday talks would be open to all – and without preconditions – as Bahrain seeks to rebuild its damaged business hub hit by months of unrest.

Pro-democracy demonstrations led by the majority Shia population were ended by a brutal clampdown in mid-March as the ruling family called on military support from its fellow Sunni Gulf neighbours amid claims that Iran was fomenting the unrest.

As tanks on Tuesday began to withdraw from the streets ahead of June 1’s lifting of, in effect, martial law, the king said lessons should be learnt from the crisis, which “hurt us deeply”.

“No one shall be harmed due to his peaceful, civilised expression of opinion in this state of law and institutions,” he said. The olive branch will provide some hope for many in the Shia community, cowed by months of arrests, beatings and sackings, but some will wonder how dialogue can proceed with both moderate and more radical opposition leaders in detention.

The king, reaffirming his commitment to reform, expressed his hope that all would take part in by-elections for parliamentary seats vacated by the main Shia opposition party, al-Wefaq, after violence against protesters in February. Two al-Wefaq politicians remain in custody.

Military courts have been trying the leaders behind the pro-democracy movement and other protesters, sentencing two to death for the alleged killing of a policeman as the security forces cleared Pearl roundabout, epicentre of unrest.

Nabeel Rajab, a high-profile human rights defender, said he was due to face a military court on Tuesday evening. The military tribunals have been hearing cases amid claims of systematic torture of protesters and forced confessions.

Hundreds of Shia staff have been sacked and places of worship have been demolished as the crackdown on protesters mutated into a sectarian campaign.

Sunni have largely backed the crackdown after the protests grew more radical, disrupting daily life and instilling fear within their community.

The prospects for dialogue were trailed in international meetings last week between the reformist crown prince, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and western politicians.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2011