Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Expansion-contractioN

In the last post I talked about the recursive historic pattern of uprisings decade upon decade over the last century, manifested as mass street protests. I now contend that within each cycle of uprising there first comes a period of expansion of freedom (allowing civic participation eg in the 50s, 70s and 2002), and before people get too used to it, a sudden or gradual contraction of this freedom (arrests of activists, dismantlement of civic institutions eg sudden dissolution of parliament in 73 etc) which then leads to an uprising (protests, resistence, opposition etc) which then leads to human rights abuses etc. When the situation reaches this state of deadlock, after a period we may see the government under intense, domestic and international pressure, allow a degree of public freedom, hence going back to the beginning. This cycle has happened over and over again.

If this cyclical theory is true, then I would say that right now we are most definitely in the 'contraction' part of the cycle. Unfortunaly, my fellow bloggers seem to jump the gun a bit too quick and failed to read the rest of today's newspaper (alwasat) beyond the article regarding the orders for every webmaster to register their site inside or outside of bahrain (I agree this sucks). In today's issue also, 'terrorists' laws are about to be introduced that carry the death penalty and include criticism of the constitution, and another law that bans the disclosure of names of defendents to local or international media prior tothe final court verdict (eg Free Ali campaign is totally illegal). So if it's not going to be failing to register your site with the MoI, then the content of the site may easily be judged as breaching 'terrorist' laws AND if you get arrested (if not executed), then you're family or any human rights organisation cannot reveal ur identity or campaign on ur behalf!! WOW i think we've just hit a triple whammy!!

I also further argue that this decade, although sharing the cyclical charecteristics of previous times, is facing a unique predicament in that what is essentially happening right now, is that autocracy is being ENSHRINED in law before our very eyes; through the constitution, royal decrees, press laws, law 56 etc, that have outwardly stated that one man rules this country. This is a precedent. Whereas before, the situation may have been more chaotic and ad-hoc, NOW I feel it is concerted and is clever enough to emerge behind different facades like a lizard changing his skin and cunningly gaining a degree of legitimacy under the banner of 'democracy'. This is much more dangerous as such laws will be very difficult to reverse and could easily drag the political crisis on for many years to come in the absence of the true will to reform this country.

That's my simple opinion, don't give in, our forefathers never did.

Posted by BB @ 4/26/2005 01:42:00 AM

Read or Post a Comment

Odd...i don't have answers, it all the oddity of being...

like u said, i just wanted to identify a pattern so we keep things in perspective. When the new Amir came to power and launched his so-called reform program, with naiivity and hope the people supported this initiative. People in Bahrian have a very short memory and never learn from history's lessons...

We need to be pragmatic and not idealistic... although i continue to dream of a red revolution..

Odd...i guess life would be a lot easier in bahrain if u understand the stalemate... politics is one, albeit a big part, of life... is there any other country in the world where people are as kind, as giving, and as sincere as Bahrainis? Some even say that it is this naiivity that has allowed the magician to play his tricks on the people over and over again.

But then again, you're not the only one that has the wats the point staying in Bahrain sentiment. At the turn of the century thousands of Bahrainis emigrated from Bahrain to leave behind Khalifi terror, mostly to mainland Arabia, but even as far as Seychelles, Zanjibar and other African countries that maintain Bahraini lineage.

Who from our generation wants to go back after they graduate if they studied abroad?

Posted by Blogger BB @ 4/26/2005 03:01:00 PM #
 

Will you register your blog with the Ministry of Information of the Government of the Holy Kingdom of Bahrain ?

Posted by Blogger SillyBahrainiGirl @ 4/26/2005 06:47:00 PM #
 

Yes and my real name is Desmond Tutu what's urs? ;)

Posted by Blogger BB @ 4/26/2005 07:56:00 PM #
 

Good article in today's Qatari Alsharq newspaper by AbdulRahman alnu3aimi entitled "Society facing state terror"

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous @ 4/26/2005 11:53:00 PM #
 

I think we shouldnt start being mean towards one another! Everybody contributes in their own way, and collectively we ALL make a difference; in a common call for justice. Afterall that is what we all seek! It doesnt matter what kind of education you have or what "class" you belong to.

We are all in the same boat, even if we might "appear" to have different seating.

Be nice to Bahrania!

Kermit (the frog?)

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous @ 4/27/2005 12:08:00 PM #
 

I never expected the topic to touch such a sensitive nerve.

Firstly, since blogging is a new phenomenon in the Arab world, some people fail to understand that a blog reflects a personal opinion. I in no way claim to be an authority but by all means you have the right to question this 'opinion' with you're own logical arguement. HOWEVER, I will NOT accept personal attacks. IF you have a problem or want to discuss personal matters then by all means you can email me on the following email:

alma7aba@hotmail.com

Otherwise i'm not prepared to host comments of a nature i find particularly offensive and nothing to do with the topic of discussion.

You can judge me all u want, but i guess i never thought it necessary to talk about the feeling of hearing that you're relatives are arrested one after the other, male and female simply for their blood relations. That would be giving away too much detail...but one day soon enshala... i might talk about more personal issues such as this...

The 'naiivity' comment I made was fair in the sense that you fall for the magician's trick over and over again. With the benefit of hindsight it is clear the regime used the prisoners and people's hope of freedom to push through the Mithaq. Do u agree?

Thanks for dropping by though, and please you're comments are most welcome, just don't personalise them, I appreciate you're opinion even if does not agree with mine.

Posted by Blogger BB @ 4/27/2005 12:23:00 PM #
 

/me agrees!

Kermit (jumps around as a sign of confirmation) lol

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous @ 4/27/2005 01:33:00 PM #
 
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