Bahrain: Ban welcomes initiative to convene national political dialogue

24 January 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the initiative by the king of Bahrain to convene a national political dialogue, as well as the positive response to the proposal from opposition groups in the Persian Gulf nation.

"This initiative is an important first step towards reforms that ensure justice and human rights for all Bahrainis," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement on the endeavour begun by King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa.

Bahrain has been shaken by a series of protests and reactions to them, beginning in early 2011, as part of the wave of revolutionary protest that swept across North Africa and the Middle East known as the Arab Spring.

Earlier this month, Mr. Ban expressed regret over the decision of a Bahraini appeals court to uphold sentences, including life imprisonment, against 20 Bahraini political activists, reiterating his call for a national dialogue in which all may be heard without fear of intimidation.

"The Secretary-General has consistently called for dialogue and hopes that the parties will follow through on their announcements and ensure that the dialogue is well-prepared, meaningful, fully inclusive, and addresses the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people," his spokesperson said in today's statement

"He expects that all communities will be represented fairly and freely and calls on all Bahrainis to contribute to creating a conducive atmosphere for a successful dialogue," he added.