There are no ‘political prisoners’ as such in Bahrain. People are not arrested because they express their views, we only have criminals. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
In establishing democracy, we have to be sensitive to the regional and national context. Democracy also means to guarantee the rights of the minorities. That’s my job as a king. We have for example a Jewish ambassador in the US and a Christian in the UK. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
Bahrainis are better off than many other Arabs. We have a welfare state, everybody gets a salary whether they have a job or not. Electricity and food are subsidized; school and healthcare are free. And we don’t differentiate between Bahrainis and foreigners. We are very proud of that. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
If people have done something wrong then they should be held accountable. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
You cannot transpose the U.S. system on Turkey, and the Turkish system on France etc. You have to understand the people and their culture. That’s leadership. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
Our people have proven their desire for continuing with reforms. We complete the march today with those who have an honest patriotic desire for more progress and reform. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
Reform is the mission from which we shall not digress; it is an expression of belief and determination between us and our people. With the help of Allah, we will proceed forward in this promising national process within the natural progress of the life cycle and the development of people and nation. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
Democracy is not just constitutional and legislative rules; it is a culture and practice and adhering by the law and respecting international human rights principles. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Read Quote
