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
The list of demands includes "an elected government", "a fair electoral system", redrawing constituencies to guarantee better representation, "a legislative authority with a single chamber that would have exclusive legislative, regulatory, financial and political authorities" and "ending discrimination against the Shiite majority".[2] 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 a "genuine dialogue" after the opposition pulled out in July of a high-profile national dialogue called for by King Hamad to discuss reforms in the kingdom.[2] 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.[3]
References
- ^ Al Wefaq "Manama Document (English)", Bahrain Justice and Development Movement, 13 October 2011
- ^ a b AFP "Bahrain opposition demands elected govt", AFP, 12 October 2011
- ^ Phillip Walter Wellman "Bahrain Opposition Rejects Calls for Government Dialogue", Voice of America, 19 February 2011