Bahrain: And so the backlash begins

Sometimes it's satisfying to say "I told you so", although when the context is sectarian violence such satisfaction is bitter-sweet. On 2 November I wrote a post entitled Bahrain...beware of a backlash in response to new Bahraini legislation banning protests and gatherings. The concluding paragraph read:

 

"Before this ban on protests and gatherings, Bahrain's Shias felt they lacked a voice and representation hence why they started to demonstrate. Preventing them from demonstrating may result in a short-term period of calm, but under the surface the pressure cooker will reach explosion-point. This decision should be reversed. If not, the Bahraini government should beware of the almost-certain backlash."

 

Today I found the following headline in the Montreal Gazette:

 

"Bahrain protesters face tear gas as marches move into capital".

 



Vehicles are set alight by anti-government protesters in Bahrain



And so the backlash begins.

 

The most frustrating thing about the current situation, where different groups of Shia protesters are risking life and limb to stage protests in Manama, is that it was entirely predictable. By passing the law banning protests and gatherings the Bahraini government has fuelled the flames of the country's disgruntled Shia rather than extinguishing the voice of opposition. The ruling party was simply naive to think the latter would ever be a consequence of the ban.

 

Bahrain's Shias want to be heard, not silenced. Until they believe their voice is heard, the protests will continue, the tear gas will be thrown and the subsequent backlash will be stronger than the one before.

 

Come on Bahrain! You have failed to silence the opposition through violence and forced legislation. Start listening before more lives are lost.