Jane Kinninmont
Friday, November 21, 2014 - 13:57
• A failure to institute reforms has led Bahrain’s main opposition groups to boycott
upcoming elections, undercutting the legitimacy of a parliament that, in any case, has
little power.
• The Bahraini government has unleashed another crackdown on activists, shutting down
the space for opposition in the lead up to the election.
• The ongoing repression of peaceful opposition increases the potential for violent groups
to exploit widespread disillusionment and take the lead in opposing the government.
• The government’s use of sectarian rhetoric to discredit the Shia opposition has also
created fertile ground for the growth of Sunni extremism.
• The U.S. should speak out against the imprisonment of peaceful activists, which adds
to long-term security risks, and should be flagged in the important bilateral dialogue by
defense officials as well as by diplomats.