Secretary-General Calls on All Parties in Bahrain to Address Reforms, Engage in

Peaceful, Broad-based Reconciliation Process

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has continued to follow closely the situation in Bahrain.  He remains concerned at the apparent impasse in launching a national dialogue a few weeks after King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa asked Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to initiate such a process.  The Secretary-General is of the view that this offer has created an opportunity for all sides to address political and constitutional reform and facilitate national reconciliation.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties in Bahrain to seize the moment and engage in a broad-based, peaceful and meaningful dialogue involving the political opposition and civil society in the interest of all Bahraini people.  To this end, the Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to provide support to nationally-led efforts, if requested to do so.

The Secretary-General also calls on all of Bahrain's regional neighbours and the wider international community to support a dialogue process and an environment conducive for credible reforms in Bahrain.

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For information media • not an official record