Political Development a statement regarding extremist practices

The Bahraini Political Development Institute expressed its utmost concern over some worsening calls in the local area since last week ahead of the upcoming complementary elections scheduled for next month. The Institute stressed that such practices are contradictory to the foundations and principles of democracy, diversity, human rights and public liberties guaranteed by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Constitution and the National Action Charter as well as international conventions and simply deprives citizens of the right to participate as candidates or voters. The Institute shunned such calls aimed at labeling as a traitor anyone who participates in the upcoming elections or forcing citizens to shy away from their national role and responsibility in supporting political reform and democratization. The Institute considered such calls as a means to deprive individuals from their civil and political rights guaranteed to them in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Constitution and in line with international human rights conventions. The Institute issued a communiqué quote (Some elements in the community have transformed themselves to anti-reformation, anti-citizen-rights which is a dangerous phenomenon that jeopardizes national security and peace. This exposes that attempts made by some elements are meant to create a rift in Bahrain’s united community). (Such practices are dangerous to the community and will definitely leave negative repercussions in future unless they stop right now particularly on political development which is expected to undergo an important phase during the upcoming period when national dialogue views are being implemented,) stated the communiqué. The Institute pointed out that: (Political participation is every citizen’s right guaranteed by the Constitution. It is the natural, constitutional and legal right of each and every citizen who is eligible. The practices of alienating and labeling as traitors the participants in the elections. This reflects the existence of a sort of political ideology working against reformation, freedom and democratization. This type of political thought aims at the formation of a political culture dominated by some elements. The communiqué emphasized that focus on the formation of open political culture which accepts and respects everybody else’s views within the framework of diversity in Bahrain’s community. This culture respects differences and observes its ethics away from any alienating, extremist practice which are unknown in the local community before. In conclusion the communiqué stated that the Bahrain Political Development Institute reiterates the need for the respective government authorities to take the necessary actions in order to stop such upwards spiraling extremist practices as elections are close at hand and to prepare suitable atmospheres to run the elections process easily in transparency and democracy. The communiqué pointed out the Institute is keen and committed to its announced awareness program in preparation for upcoming complementary elections as the Institute strives to raise political awareness and to encourage political development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. (IY)