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Chan'ad Bahraini

(Scomberomorous maculatus Bahrainius)

Note: This page has moved to a new address. Please click on the following URL to get there: http://chanad.weblogs.us/index.php?s=Sectarian discrimination to continue. Sorry for the trouble.

Sectarian discrimination to continue

Monday, October 18, 2004

Why are things going backwards in this country?? On June 9 I was happy to post about the report that our Parliament had "approved a draft law aiming to Bahrainise the Interior Ministry, Defence Ministry and National Guard and end discrimination among different segments of the population." This decision has however been reversed, as the GDN reports today:

MANAMA: Parliament has withdrawn a proposal to Bahrainise jobs at the BDF, Interior Ministry and National Guard, it was announced last night. A parliament statement said the foreign affairs, defence and public security committee had taken the decision following a request from the unnamed MP who had first submitted the proposal. The statement gave no reason for the decision. The committee has also decided to postpone discussion of a proposal that Bahrainis be given priority when job vacancies arise at the BDF, Interior Ministry and National Guard. (Continued)

The reason why I support the initial draft law is because (i) it might provide a few extra jobs for Bahrainis, (ii) most Bahrainis dislike the overbearing presence of the foreign mercenaries, (iii) it makes sense that the security of the country is in the hands of citizens, not foreigners, and (iv) it is a strong gesture to indicate that the past policy of state discrimination against Shias is no longer acceptable. It is therefore a shame that the ruling regime still does not trust Bahrainis with the safety of their own country, and that it still requires the service of foreign mercenaries. I don't know what led to the withdrawal of the draft law, but I would guess that it be in response to the anti-AlKhalifa sentiments being aroused by the Al-Khawaja affair. I hope the government realizes that this decision will only further anti-government feelings.

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2 Responses to 'Sectarian discrimination to continue'


Blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif says:

according to Al-Wasat, it wasn't thrown out, just defferred for the moment. If you're a sceptic, then you can read that as rejected, but let's hope that they just shelved the project until they get more information to act on.    

Blogger Chanad says:

Mahmood, you're right that it was probably shelved and not thrown out. Because something as fundamental as ending official sectarian discrimination will have to be dealt with sooner or later. I'm just a bit cheesed that "later" was chosen. I'm hoping that maybe the draft law was deferred because it needs to be reworded or something, rather than because of any current political events.    

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