During the second session of the National Consensus Dialogue held on Wednesday participants reached consensus to adopt the concept of ‘dialogue’ not ‘negotiation’ in the continuation of a political process that had previously led to a number of universally agreed outcomes. They also agreed that the Government is a participant, its own right, in the National Consensus Dialogue and agreed that the Justice Minister is assigned to refer the outcomes of the Dialogue to His Majesty the King.
At the request of the six societies, it was agreed by all participants – including the political societies, independents from the Legislative Authority and representatives from the Government – that the next session, due to take place on Sunday 17th February, should be postponed to Wednesday 20th February.
It should be noted that the National Consensus Dialogue is an opportunity to overcome challenges and build bridges between all, to agree on the best solutions for the nation and its citizens. The Dialogue is a comprehensive and inclusive process for all sectors of Bahrain society giving all the opportunity to back reforms and the development process. By inviting all political societies, granting the participants the right to decide the Dialogue’s agenda, setting only consensus as the ceiling of the results, and ensuring the implementation of the results will be through constitutional channels, are clear signs of the seriousness of the talks in the best interests of the nation.
The participants in the session were from the Government side: Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowment; Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuami, Minister of Education; Essan bin Abdullah Khalaf, Minister of Works, from legislative side MP Ahmed Al Saati; MP Latifa Al Gaoud; MP Sawsan Taqawi; MP Abdulhakeem Al Shimmri; Khalid Al Masqati, Shura Member; Dalal Al Zayed, Shura Member; Jameela Salman, Shura Member and Abdulaziz Abul, Shura Member.
Representatives of the coalition societies were Ahmed Juma; Adnan Bader; Khalid Al Qatan; Abdulrahman Abdulsalam; Abdullah Al Huwaihi; Abdullah Al Baker; Ahmed Al Binali and Abdullah Bughamar.
Representatives of the six societies were Dr. Muneera Fakhro; Abdullah Janahi; Hafedh Ali; Sayed Jameel Khadim; Abdulnabi Salman; Hassan Al Aali; Mousa Al Ansari and Dr. Mariam Al Shitti.
Khalid Ajaji and Dr Abdullah Taleb were facilitators during the session.