The Return of the Bahraini Exiles (2001-2006)
Résumé
This paper explores the impact that decades of exile have had on the structure of the opposition in Bahrain after 2001, when the new King of Bahrain allowed the exiles back into the country. To do so, it first distinguishes between two kinds of out-migration that sought refuge in distinct destinations: the banished socialist/Marxist revolutionaries of the 1960-70s found shelter mostly in the Baa'thist Syria, while the leaders of the Shiite Islamist opposition, spreading unrest after the Iranian revolution, made their way through the asylum seeking process of Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries, the grassroots activists being deported in Iran. Against this background, the paper investigates the way the political agendas, transnational strategies and mobilisation means designed in the specific context of exile were to be re-imported in the native country and adapted there. It analyses also the motives behind the decision to return or not from exile taking into account the negotiations engaged by the government, and enquires into the difficult process of returning itself. It finally assesses, through the study of the December 2006 parliamentary elections' campaign and results, the actual disappointing outcomes of the reintegration of the ‘Returnees' (‘audin). It is argued here that the notion of ‘homeland' built in exile together with the practice of open criticism considerably renewed the terms of the political debates in Bahrain. Nevertheless, the distance created by the forced absence rendered this renewal shallow as it could not succeed in changing the structure of the Bahraini political system.
Domaines
Science politique
Origine :
Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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