Systematic and repeated acts targeting security officers, escalation of acts of sabotage, blocking of roads and deliberate involvement of children in acts of violence have been strongly denounced by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
In a statement the BICI expressed deep concern over such practices aiming at bringing the country “back to square one,” stressing that it has repeatedly called upon clerics from both sects and key national figures to play a more effective role in order to calm the situation and re-establish unity among the members of the one-family Bahraini society so as to avert the recurrence of such acts.
“The best way to deter those who want to undermine the homeland’s security and stability from repeating their heinous deeds is the application of law on all, without discrimination,” BCCI added, noting that the increase in the number of those acts and their methods “requires all Bahrainis to join ranks in order to face them.”
BCCI also expressed its full-fledged support for the “measures to be taken by the concerned security bodies to prevent the recurrence of such attacks,” wishing quick recovery for those wounded as a result of those incident.
BCCI also called for the need to take stringent legal measures against those who attack security officers, attempt to destabilize the nation or involve children in acts of violence, which resulted in many victims over the past days, holding those who encourage children to take part in such acts “fully responsible.”
BICI urged all sides to rally against those who want to ferment sectarian strife and jeopardize national unity and security, expressing “full confidence in the measures and steps to be taken by the government to address the situation and avert the repetition of such regretful incidents which will, if they persist, worsen the situation and ignite more tensions at a time when the kingdom, is, more than ever, in dire need for national cohesion and restoration of security and stability.”
BCCI also asserted that top national interests require all leading personalities to assume their national responsibilities and denounce all acts aiming to fuel polarization and tensions, which “harmed everybody”.
BCCI added that after the success of the kingdom to bring the situation “almost back to normal” thanks to the leadership’s patience and wisdom and the efforts exerted by the security bodies, criminal acts escalated again despite the landmark initiatives launched by the wise leadership in this regard, citing the National Consensus Dialogue and the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) whose recommendations are being implemented.
BCCI also pointed out that the national economy, especially small and medium enterprises and private sector companies, suffered huge losses as a result of the regretful incidents, but things began to get better with the inauguration of the National Consensus Dialogue, warning that the outcome of the recent escalations may be disastrous.
“The national economy cannot withstand more escalations,” BCCI warned, calling for the need to promote security and stability in order to preserve the existing investments and woo others so as to maintain the kingdom’s economic growth.
BCCI called upon all sides to enhance national unity and cohesion among all social components, promote peaceful co-existence and denounce all attempts to sow rifts, which will reflect positively on the country and the citizens, in light of the positive and landmark initiatives taken the wise leadership, citing His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s launch of the National Consensus Dialogue and establishment of BICI, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s repeated calls for all citizens to put aside their differences and prioritize national interests and the landmark national initiatives launched by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, for the aim of healing rifts and enhancing love and loyalty to the cherished nation.
BCCI also expressed confidence that Bahrain will remain, as it has always been, a safe haven that embraces all its citizens.