We are
ten years on from a significant moment in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s history: the
ratification of the new constitution that was the result of the reforms of the
year before. On 14 February 2001, voters from all communities in Bahrain
came out to vote in overwhelming numbers in support of the country’s new
National Action Charter.
The
charter, instigated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and developed
with a cross section of Bahrain society, set out a framework for reform.
The following year saw a new constitution and parliamentary elections,
and we have since seen many new measures affecting politics, society and the economy
in Bahrain.
When
Bahrain held the vote on the National Action Charter it was made clear that
this was just the beginning and that reform would be an ongoing and evolving
process. This is as true today as it was then. Bahrainis today have access to better education, better
jobs, more freedom and greater opportunities than before. Our Vision 2030 sets out how this
improvement will continue, but I believe it is just as important to recognize
how far Bahrain has come, as it is to see where it should go next.
It is in
this spirit that we have produced this overview of a decade of reform in the
Kingdom. As we look back, as well as forward, we see ten years of
democratic development, and the strides that have been taken in economic and
social reform. In Bahrain as well as in every other society, democratic
development – the evolving set of relationships between a people and their
government - is a process, not an event. It is important, when we evaluate our current position, that
we view our time as a video, not a snapshot.
Most of
the world called the events of early 2011 the Arab Spring. They forget that in Bahrain, the Spring
of greater political participation and more government transparency started
eleven years ago, with the popular referendum on the National Charter. We celebrate today the tenth
anniversary of the new Constitution, approved the following year as the
embodiment in law of those reforms approved by the voice of the people.
I
believe those reforms paved the way for the most extraordinary period of growth
in recent memory. In spite of
declining revenues from oil and gas exports, Bahrain has thrived in the past
ten years. Why? Because on the
foundation of the reforms of 2001 and the Constitution of 2002, Bahrainis built
a modern state and attracted modern investments by establishing a free market
economy, allowing personal freedom unsurpassed in any Arab country, and keeping
the government out of the way of investors and entrepreneurs. Bahrain earned far more in 2010 from
investments than from selling oil, by building a modern economy on the
foundation of law.
We can see
a recent example of the importance His Majesty places on that foundation of
law, by his handling of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. After the King called for the BICI, and
asked them to investigate what happened, who was to blame, and what the
government needed to do to address the situation, he and the Crown Prince sat
to hear the report, and pledged to implement its recommendations. This is a continuation of the process
His Majesty began in 2001.
The
great loss from the past year has been the damage to Bahrain’s reputation. Bahrain always was known for progress
and development in business, and for openness and tolerance. People have come here for many years,
knowing they may practice their religion freely, find relaxation and entertainment,
and pursue business and investment opportunities freely. We welcome them, and will continue to
welcome them.
Now, a
shadow looms over this peaceful Kingdom.
There is an increasing threat that internal divisions will lead to
strife, which in turn may lead to foreign intervention from Iran. We cannot allow that threat to spoil our
progress. We must remember that we are on a journey, together. If we pause today to reflect on how far
we have come, and look forward to where we are going, we will realize that we
are indeed on a road to progress. We
have our problems in Bahrain, but they would be worse if foreign forces came in
and took control. Some
international observers say the government has violated human rights, and the
government has admitted as much, and promised to reform how it deals with its
citizens. I applaud the
governments pledge to reform, and I also ask those critics how much respect
human rights would receive if Bahrain were under the control of the ayatollahs
in Tehran. Bahrain will continue
to reform, but it will be at a pace determined by Bahrainis. We must be careful not to allow foreign
enemies to interfere with our existing freedoms.
Freedom
comes gradually in stable societies. A violent revolution, on the other hand, is
like water flowing suddenly into a valley: it can cause great damage and loss
of life and property if it runs out of control. But if the water comes in gradually, softly, it becomes the
giver of life and the source of all nourishment. Bahrain is not Egypt, or Tunisia, or Syria. We have a proud tradition of openness
and tolerance, and have been growing more democratic and free over the time of
the reign of King Hamad. We
can’t let internal divisions and strife take over, and ruin what we have built.
Bahrainis
need to understand that we are not alone, and these troubles and how we handle
them are not taking place in a dark room.
The international community is watching how we handle them. Investors
will decide whether or not to put their money here, based on whether there are
continuing protests, and how the government responds to them. Our enemies will watch for signs of
weakness in dealing with those who would disturb the peace; and our allies will
decide whether to help us defend ourselves from attacks, based on how we treat
our own citizens.
All our
allies and brotherly countries are important to us, but as head of the Bahrain
American Council, I believe strongly in the importance of a particular bilateral
relationship: the U.S.-Bahrain alliance.
It is what we spend our time and attention caring for, and
nurturing. It is important that we
work hard to show Bahrain in the best possible light, to continue to attract
investors, businesses, and other interested parties to support Bahrain. It is also important that we work hard
to make Bahrain a great place to live, for all Bahrainis – the kind of country
that all our citizens will feel a part of, and want to defend.
I am
happy, on this tenth anniversary of our Constitution, to look back on a decade
of reform and progress, of increasing transparency and economic freedom. I am happy also, to look forward to
continued prosperity, and a continued process of opening up opportunities for
all Bahrainis to participate in that prosperity, and in the governance of this
blessed society.
