Economists Bloc
Encyclopedia
The Economists Bloc is a liberal political party in Bahrain
which was represented by three MPs in the 2002-2006 parliament, but lost all its seats in the 2006 general election
.
The party was the most consistent advocate of human rights, democratisation and free market economics in parliament. Because the main challenge to liberal values comes from Islamists, the party often found itself in a de facto alliance with the former communists of the Democratic Bloc
(another party that lost all its seats in 2006's election).
While generally supportive of the government, it has not been uncritically so. The party campaigned for compensation for those that suffered past human rights abuses, with the party's President Jassim Abdula'al MP forwarding a motion to parliamentary speaker, Khalifa Al Dhahrani
. Mr Abdula'al said that the national interest required closing the human rights file for good, between the leadership, the government and those affected. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=137253&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28350
Another prominent member is lawyer Fareed Ghazi MP, who is also an activist with the Al Muntada
liberal think tank. Fareed Ghazi has urged liberals against imposing their will on a conservative public, adding that it was not the right approach politically and morally. "We should find a common ground with the conservative element rather than just sit on a high horse and tell them that our way is the right way," he said http://www.benadorassociates.com/pf.php?id=10991.
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
which was represented by three MPs in the 2002-2006 parliament, but lost all its seats in the 2006 general election
Bahraini parliamentary election, 2006
Bahrain held parliamentary elections on 25 November 2006 for the 40-seat lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, as well as municipal elections. There was a 72% turnout in the first round of polling...
.
The party was the most consistent advocate of human rights, democratisation and free market economics in parliament. Because the main challenge to liberal values comes from Islamists, the party often found itself in a de facto alliance with the former communists of the Democratic Bloc
Democratic Bloc
Democratic Bloc was a political alliance and an electoral bloc in Ukraine founded during the election campaign to participate in the parliamentary election held during March 4-18, 1990.-History:...
(another party that lost all its seats in 2006's election).
While generally supportive of the government, it has not been uncritically so. The party campaigned for compensation for those that suffered past human rights abuses, with the party's President Jassim Abdula'al MP forwarding a motion to parliamentary speaker, Khalifa Al Dhahrani
Khalifa Al Dhahrani
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa King of Bahrain, assigned the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Mr. Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dahrani to chair the National Dialogue because of the popularity and confidence he enjoys among all the political forces, in addition to his broad experience...
. Mr Abdula'al said that the national interest required closing the human rights file for good, between the leadership, the government and those affected. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=137253&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28350
Another prominent member is lawyer Fareed Ghazi MP, who is also an activist with the Al Muntada
Al Muntada
Al Muntada is a Bahrain society set up by academics, journalists and businessmen to promote liberalism in the Kingdom.It was established in 2001 to provide a place for liberals to debate how they could meet the challenge of religious extremist domination of political life, which has been a...
liberal think tank. Fareed Ghazi has urged liberals against imposing their will on a conservative public, adding that it was not the right approach politically and morally. "We should find a common ground with the conservative element rather than just sit on a high horse and tell them that our way is the right way," he said http://www.benadorassociates.com/pf.php?id=10991.