DUBAI: A proposal by the Bahrain authorities to relaunch a national dialogue has been given a frosty reception by the Shiite-led opposition.

 

The proposal, which was unveiled Thursday, has five core elements, including the redefinition of electoral districts and parliament being permitted to question the premier and his ministers.

 

Parliament would also have a right of approval in the choice of ministers, and the authorities would commit to further judicial reform.

 

The security forces would also be bound by new codes of conduct.

 

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad announced that the five main points had been discussed with the various political groups and were a “framework comprising areas of common ground.”

 

However, Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the main Shiite opposition grouping Al-Wefaq, said the new proposal “ignores the legitimate demands of the people.”

 

In a statement to AFP, he deplored the authorities’ refusal to create an independent electoral commission, the insistence on keeping an appointed consultative Shura Council alongside the elected parliament and the king’s right to appoint the prime minister.

 

“The official position remains rigid,” the opposition chief said.

 

“The royal family retains all powers – executive, legislative and judicial, in addition to security, information and wealth,” Salman said.

 

“The solution would be to give up this monopoly of all power and respect the will of the people.”

 

But Information Minister Samir Rajab insisted the proposal amounted to “progress on the path of reforms,” following eight months of negotiations with “representatives of the whole of Bahraini society.”

 

The points in the proposal amounted to “radical reforms,” he said in a statement to AFP, adding that King Hamad would call legislative elections in November.

 

“We hope to launch a new era of understanding and we wish to start with agreement by all on these common denominators,” the information minister said.

 

Bahrain’s opposition is demanding a constitutional monarchy under which the premier is designated by parliament in the Shiite-majority but Sunni-ruled kingdom.

 

Since a month of protest was forcibly repressed in Bahrain in March 2011, the opposition has taken part in two rounds of national dialogue, but withdrew saying that the authorities were not making enough concessions.

 

The reaction to the proposals came one day after the authorities released human rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja, who was being held for questioning after her arrest on arrival in Bahrain last month.

 

Khawaja continues to face charges of assaulting police after she refused to hand over her mobile phone during questioning at the airport. She denies the charge. 

Khawaja is banned from traveling abroad while her case moves forward, according to the Interior Ministry.