When defending Al-Adasani, Al-Baghli had characterized bedoons as a "little unimportant group" that should not have the freedom of the expression. Al-Baghli’s provocative statement sparked yesterday’s protests. During the protest yesterday, bedoons read a statement condemning the comments. The statement noted that: "We were disappointed by the insulting statement of Ali Al-Baghli, the Deputy of the Administrative Authority of the KSHR, made on January 13, 2008 at the Diwan of Saleh Al-Fadhalah, the Head of
the National Assembly Human Rights Committee. He forgot the duties that he was supposed to defend. He used strange new terms such as ‘little, unimportant group’ and ‘practicing intellectual terrorism’.
We condemn the statements that are in conflict with basic human rights and against the principles of the KSHR. In Western countries, the leaders of human rights societies are punished, arrested and even tortured for defending the human rights of the oppressed.
The protesters called for the immediate sacking of Ali Al-Baghli and for the hiring of new leaders who believe in the basic principles of human rights. "This society has become the society of breaching human rights and dignity instead of defending and protecting it.
The statement concluded with a demand for an official apology by the KSHR: "Our next strike will be held in front of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor if our demands are not accepted." The protesting bedoons also wrote a letter explaining that their demonstration was based on their constitutional rights. The letter also demanded the resignation of the administrative committee of the KSHR. In addition, the letter showed respect to Sheikha Fawziya Al-Sabah, the Head of the Legal Committee of the KSHR, for her resignation after Al-Baghli’s statement.
