Reflection #7

Today, Bahrain decided to impose a ban on all protests due to, as the government claims, an increase in violence resulting in deaths and injuries.  Of course Amnesty International called for the immediate lift of the ban because they claim it is a breach on Freedom of Speech.
Who are we to side with? Are we to side with the Bahraini government as proponents of security or are to side with protesters and Amnesty International in the name of Freedom of Expression? It would be easier if the Bahraini government had fallen hard on these protests when they started to heavily criticize the government but no, on average, 2 such protests were licensed a week. Thus, the Bahraini government proved itself accepting of these protests at least until they turned violent. Furthermore, it would be easier if there was no basis for the claims of the Bahraini government, after all, in the name of Orientalism, are Middle Eastern Government corrupt and predisposed to manipulations of their citizens? But no, even a true Orientalist would have to admit that there is proof of violence among the protesters. Recently, 2 police officers were killed after protesters used petrol bombs in one of the protests. The deaths of these officers directly led to the ban.
In the MENA region there has always been this question of what to prioritize: do we prioritize security and sacrifice freedoms after the actions of a few? Or do we prioritize our citizens freedoms but accept that sometimes violence may result and deaths and injuries insue? It is a tough question and sometimes I find myself wondering if Amnesty International, an organization operating primarily on Western based values and ideals can truly be counted on as neutral observers that take into account the society which they judge. Is freedom at all cost something to encourage? Or as the Bahraini government seems to believe are freedoms a privilege and not a right that the population needs to earn? Perhaps when calling for a lifting of a ban or other legal action Amnesty International ought to take into account the situation and not as the article I read say "call immediately" which implies a lack of deep thinking about the situation.