"Bahrain has been at the forefront of ensuring civil liberties & Democracy ..."

Dear Avi Gavai,

agavai@embassymag.ca

  

Bahrain’s violent protests are unique and the government was forced to respond to violence on our streets which threatened our national stability.  Bahrain is a multicultural, multi-ethnic society, and the political unrest exhibited was characterized by violent sectarianism. The protesters did not use peaceful tactics and during the height of unrest protesters overran our main thoroughfare and threatened our infrastructure. Our financial harbor was temporarily shut down due to road blocks and our main hospital was transformed into an opposition political command center. We have since returned to normal and our hospitals, schools, banks and shopping centers are now opened for the public. 

We are a progressive Arab nation and we are committed to ensuring human rights for all Bahrainis. Our actions went to secure our infrastructure and maintain stability and we regret the loss of any life, regardless of religious sect or ethnicity. Historically, Bahrain has been at the forefront of ensuring civil liberties and democratic reforms in the Middle East and we are proud of our tradition of upholding human rights.  We are committed to a long lasting national unity between all Bahraini people and we will continue our work to find peace. We have a long road ahead of us and we look forward to working with the opposition at striking a balance in peace and democracy. We are a young democracy. We have much to learn but working towards a stronger democratic process can be an inspiring time in our history, not a time of duress. 

Best Wishes,

Houda Ezra Nonoo

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Washington D.C.