Manama Paper
The Manama Paper, also referred to as the Manama Letter or Manama Document, is a document issued on 12 October 2011 by five opposition parties in Bahrain, including the Shia group Al Wefaq, in which they repeat their calls for a restructuring of the political system following the 2011 Bahraini Uprising.[1] Bahrain is regarded as the most politically and economically free nation in the Gulf.[2]
The list of demands also includes "a fair electoral system," redrawing constituencies to guarantee better representation and "a legislative authority with a single chamber that would have exclusive legislative, regulatory, financial and political authorities."[3] A chief complaint of the opposition is the naturalisation of foreigners "on political grounds," which they allege to be an attempt to change the demographic balance in favour of the Sunnis.
One major part of the Manama Paper was the call for dialogue with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, “based on the seven principles outlined...on 13 March 2011”,[3] when the Crown Prince first offered talks to the opposition. This is a significant change to their stance in February and March 2011, when the opposition refused to negotiate with the government without several preconditions.[4]
- ^ Al Wefaq "Manama Document (English)", Bahrain Justive and Development Movement, 13 October 2011
- ^ Index of Economic Freedom "Ranking the Countries", The Heritage Foundation, 2011
- ^ a b AFP "Bahrain opposition demands elected govt", AFP, 12 Oct 2011
- ^ Phillip Walter Wellman "Bahrain Opposition Rejects Calls for Government Dialogue", Voice of America,19 Feb 2011