FRI 29 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Mar 7, 2011
Source: The Daily Star
Bahraini protesters beseige PM's office
Manama announced plans to create 20,000 jobs in the country’s security apparatus

Monday, March 07, 2011


Thousands of Bahraini demonstrators blocked the entrance to the prime minister’s office but failed to disrupt a government meeting Sunday as the campaign for reform in the strategic Gulf nation enters its third week.
The protest comes a day after Bahrain announced plans to create 20,000 jobs in its security apparatus, in what could be a move to open up government jobs to the country’s disgruntled Shiites.


White-helmeted police with riot shields Sunday stood behind one gate, looking on as the flag-waving demonstrators chanted “Down Hamad! Down Hamad!” in reference to Bahrain’s King Hamad. “The people want to topple the regime!” the protesters roared, shaking their fists toward the light pink palace with its pearl-colored dome.


The kingdom’s Cabinet meets at the palace on Sundays, and the state news agency BNA said the meeting proceeded as usual, despite the protests outside.
“The government supports freedom of expression, in a peaceful way, which is guaranteed by the Constitution,” Cabinet Affairs Minister Kamal Ahmad said, according to BNA.


But the Cabinet warned against “harming the public, commercial and economic interests,” he said, adding that “jeopardizing the interests of the people … goes against the calls for calm and dialogue.”


Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni al-Khalifa family and its majority Shiites have complained of discrimination in government jobs. Manama denies this.
Bahrain’s interior minister, Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa, told local newspaper editors Saturday that King Hamad bin Isa had ordered a round of new hires in a number of government institutions, including 20,000 jobs at his ministry.


“We hope this step will have a positive effect on the safety and security of citizens,” Al-Wasat daily quoted the minister as saying. “The minister said national dialogue was the way to achieving political stability and of raising demands.”
The opposition said it interpreted the announcement as an attempt to appease Shiite protesters who say government jobs have been shut to them.


“I think it’s mainly meant for Shiites, in particular for the coming graduates. Unequal opportunities is one reason why we’re having people in the street,” Jasim Husain of Wefaq, the main Shiite opposition group, said.

Bahrain has granted citizenship to Sunni foreigners serving in its armed forces, limiting the number of secure government jobs its Shiite population can potentially access.


Bahrain has seen its worst unrest since the 1990s after a nascent youth movement emboldened by similar protests elsewhere in the Arab world took to the streets last month and were met with heavy-handed police violence that killed seven.


“Hey Khalifa, get out! Get out!” protesters chanted Sunday, referring to the country’s prime minister of four decades, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who has an office at the palace and has been a target of demonstrations.
Protesters also chanted for the 2002 Constitution, which established an appointed upper house that has veto powers over the decisions of the elected chamber, to be scrapped.


“The 2002 Constitution falls for the sake of Bahrain,” protesters chorused in a refrain that rhymes in Arabic.
“We need political reforms – lead the people to elect their government and not a government that remains on our chests for 40 years, with all its failure,” Sheikh Ali Salman, the head of Al-Wifaq, told the crowd of protesters.
The government warned Sunday against sliding into sectarianism, saying “acts that perpetuate sectarianism and sedition are rejected by the people and the religion,” BNA reported.
Opposition groups have stopped short of demanding outright regime change, instead calling for major reforms including an elected parliament “with full legislative powers.”


“We came here because we don’t want this government,” said Nawal Hassan, a protester at the palace, who wore the traditional black abaya robe and veil, with a Bahraini flag around her neck like a cape. “We don’t want them! Let all the world know,” she said.
The demonstration began around 0600 GMT and lasted about three hours. – Agencies

 



 
Readers Comments (0)
Add your comment

Enter the security code below*

 Can't read this? Try Another.
 
Related News
Bahrain executes three, including Shiite activists
Bahrain overturns stripping of 92 Shiites’ citizenship
Bahrain overturns stripping of 92 Shiites’ citizenship
Following opposition social media could result in legal action: Bahrain
Bahrain king reinstates nationality to 551 citizens tried in courts
Related Articles
Maryam al-Khawaja on her forgotten revolution
On withdrawing nationality
The mobilization of Sunnis in Bahrain remains puzzling even today
Crisis has altered Bahrain’s media
The implications of the Bahrain crisis
Copyright 2024 . All rights reserved