Bahrain has announced measures to eradicate sectarianism in social media and cyber incitement that lead to national disunity.
Minister of State for Communications HE Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa who hosted a group of active social media users on Tuesday at the Gudaibiya Palace highlighted the importance of the steps taken by the Government.
“These measures are in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and are aimed at eliminating the social conflict that has been exacerbated by the irresponsible misuse of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to name a few,” HE Minister said.
HE Sheikh Fawaz stressed the Ministry’s resolve to combat any attempt to fuel sectarian subversion, sow social discord and create divisions in the Kingdom by spreading rumors and lies online, as well as using online forums to incite violence, acts of sabotage and promote hatred. The discussion included the Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Hassan Al-Hassan, who along with the Communications Minister is active on Twitter and Instagram.
The Minister also urged those present to benefit from the cutting edge technologies available to activists today by expressing opinions responsibly, bearing in mind what is in the national best interests; and do so beyond sectarian or ideological considerations, self-interested political agendas, partisan aims or collusion with external forces.
On December 29th HM King Hamad issued directives on this matter as he chaired the weekly cabinet meeting at Al-Sakhir Palace in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. At that time he urged the development of efficient legal, executive and preventive measures to ensure religious platforms and media are not used to incite sectarian hatred; and instead should promote the values of brotherhood, tolerance, and peaceful co-existence.
Expressing unwavering support for this charge by HM the King, HE Shaikh Fawaz underlined the importance for official parties and civil institutions to exert all efforts and assume responsibility protecting social cohesion in order to insulate the nation against discrimination, sectarian polarization, religious intolerance and the promotion of hatred.
He revealed that strict legal and executive measures will be taken, in coordination with the relevant authorities, against those act in opposition to the law; noting that the necessary measures will be enforced to combat incitement of violence, terror, arson, sabotage and chaos.
“These heinous and subversive acts have nothing to do with freedom of opinion and legitimate expression, and are criminalized under Bahraini laws, as well as international covenants,” he said.
Shaikh Fawaz said that the General Directorate of Anti-corruption and Economic and Electronic Security Department would closely monitor online forums and social media websites to ensure they are used to strengthen social bonds and cement national unity and enforce the law with regard to those advocating chaos, animosity and social strife.