No Political Solution to Bahraini Crisis: Opposition Figure
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior member of Al-Wafa’a Islamic Party, a Bahraini opposition group, slammed the Manama regime for its continued crackdown on dissent in the Arab country and said the political solution to the Bahraini crisis has reached a deadlock.
Speaking at a round-table meeting held at the Tasnim News Agency’s office in Tehran on the seventh anniversary of Bahrain's February 14 Revolution, Seyed Morteza al-Sendi said since the beginning of the popular uprising in 2011 to now, there have been numerous developments.
The political solution to the Bahraini crisis has reached an impasse because leaders of all political groups have been jailed, he said.
Sendi went on to say that the ruling system in Bahrain has disbanded all official opposition groups, including the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society led by Sheikh Ali Salman.
He further pointed to the situation of religious scholars in Bahrain and said a number of clerics are in custody, including Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of the Persian Gulf country's Shiite majority.
The uprising in Bahrain began on February 14, 2011. Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.
Scores of people have been killed in the crackdown and security forces have arrested hundreds including doctors and nurses. Dozens of demonstrators have also been sentenced to jail terms for attending street protests.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the Manama regime for its excessive use of force against peaceful protesters.
