Bahrain Anno 2017: Peace or Regime-Change?

Abstract

Transitional justice addresses conflicts and their resolution with the use of a conceptual and normative apparatus that captures, clarifies and, wherever possible, corrects failed states. These undermine values that derive from humanity, the conditio sine qua non for social cohesiveness. Notwithstanding, the six-year anniversary of the 2011 civil unrest in Bahrain is a reminder of the fact that post-conflict success—which entails compliance with the United Nations rule of law standards—is still a contentious issue. Thus, the national rulers’ interest in maintaining the system may continue to compete with the international stake in legitimate statehood without thereby compelling those in power to consider the constituency that primarily depends upon them for their freedom and welfare: the majority of people in Bahrain. Logically, system-conservation requires peace. Ethically, peace is problematic for the same reason. This accentuates the need for change, especially since (so-called) conflict-resolution has resulted in strict(er) law-and-order measures.