7/8th September 2012

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

on a main road where they intended to march.

Bahrain police disperse protesters in Manama

Bahraini police used tear gas to disperse dozens of Shiite protesters who tried to gather on Friday in the capital Manama to demand the release of jailed opposition gures, witnesses said. The protesters, who came in small groups in the old quarter of the capital, were prevented from converging

Some carried banners reading "Freedom for the prisoners" and "We want an independent judiciary," according to witnesses, who said Sheikh Ali Salman, the head of Al-Wefaq, the main Shiite opposition formation, was present. The interior ministry said the protest was prohibited and that any participants were breaking the law. Read More The protesters took to the streets three days after a Bahraini appeals courtupheld the life sentences of eight leaders in the protest movement. Those activists, including the founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, were convicted last year of charges including plotting to overthrow the countrys Sunni Muslim monarchy. Twelve opposition gures, seven of them in absentia, were also given jail terms of between 5 to 15 years. Read More Authorities used tear gas on protesters, who had deed the government's refusal to let them demonstrate, according to the opposition. "Regime forces turned the capital, Manama, to a military barracks where troops deployed heavily armed," according to Bahrain's main opposition group, Al Wefaq. "The regime's forces suppressed masses destined for the capital to participate in the massive mass rally called for by opposition today." Read More

Bahrain police fire tear gas at banned anti-govt protest

Police red tear gas and stun grenades at dozens of antigovernment protesters who deed a ban on unauthorised demonstrations and marched in the centre of Bahraini capital Manama on Friday. Bahrain, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based, has been in political turmoil since a protest

movement dominated by majority Shi'ite Muslims erupted in February 2011 during a wave of revolts against authoritarian governments across the Arab world. The Sunni Muslim ruling Al Khalifa family put down the uprising with martial law, troops from Saudi Arabia and police from the United Arab Emirates, but unrest has resumed, with almost daily clashes between Shi'ites and police. Read More commercial center of the strategic nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Marches in central Manama were common in the rst months of the uprising that began in February 2011, but were mostly pushed to the outskirts by a security crackdown. More than 50 people have been killed in 19 months of unrest. Majority Shiites seek a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled nation. Read More Protesters from Bahrain's Shia Muslim majority have been demanding reforms from the ruling Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa family since last year. Last week thousands of people took part in an approved protest, without incident. Friday's protests were the latest attempt by Shia-led antigovernment activists to revive an uprising which started in February 2011 and has so far killed 19 people. Read More

Bahraini Activists Document Crackdown on Protest

Security forces again red tear gas and arrested demonstrators in Bahrains capital on Friday, as protesters renewed their calls for reform and the release of political prisoners in the island kingdom that is home to the United States Navys Fifth Fleet.

Bahrain clashes hit heart of capital

Riot police in Bahrain have red tear gas during street clashes with anti-government protesters in the heart of the Gulf's kingdom's capital Manama. The demonstrations by Shiiteled groups Friday are part of attempts to challenge authorities by reviving opposition marches in the

Bahrain arrests 6 antigovernment protesters

A protest in solidarity with 13 people convicted of plotting to overthrow the government in Bahrain led to arrests in the capital Friday, state media said. Six protesters were accused of participating in rioting and sabotage, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

Bahrain protesters clash with police in Manama

Anti-government demonstrators have clashed with riot police in Bahrain's capital Manama as activists deed a ban on unauthorised protests. Police red tear gas and blocked roads in an effort to put down the protest.

Police crackdown on Bahraini activists (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Bahraini security forces launched tear gas and arrested activists in Manama who deed the ban on antigovernment demonstrations. The protesters called for the release of political prisoners and reform of the nations monarchical government. Dozens of activists converged on the old quarter of the Bahraini capital as they were

prevented from marching on the main road by a police blockade. They chanted peaceful, peaceful! as they marched and demanded the release of all"prisoners of conscience" held by the government. Some of the protesters also called for the ouster of the countrys ruling monarchy. Police in riot gear rounded on the demonstrators, dispersing them with stun grenades and teargas, and making a number of arrests. Read More The people of Bahrain know all too well that the Khalifah regimes real godfather is the USA, and it is more than likely that the end of the regime would be followed by a demand to close the American naval base located in Bahrain, thus threatening US control of the strategically critical Persian Gulf. Read More

Bahrain takes legal action against opposition over march

Bahraini authorities are taking legal action against the opposition Al Wefaq group for organising a banned antigovernment march in which six protesters were arrested, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear what the action might entail, but the government has threatened to ban the group in the past and its statement comes despite calls from Washington for Bahraini leaders to pursue a meaningful dialogue with the opposition. Bahrain, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based, has been in political turmoil since a protest movement dominated by majority Shi'ite Muslims erupted in February last year. Read More daughter of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja -- who was arrested on April 9, 2011 -- took on a doctor who tended to her father, and who she accused of being complicit in his torture. Despite repeated attempts by the government to blame the protest movement on Iran, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry found no connection to Iran, but did nd brutal police abuses and systematic torture, even of children. Read More

Bahrain Migraine for the USA

The year and a half long protest movement of the majority Shiite people of Bahrain could be forewarning of a crippling migraine headache for the USA if it succeeds in overthrowing the western installed Al Khalifah dictatorship that has ruled Bahrain since independence.

Bahrain's PR Offensive: Buying Media, Burying Democracy (VIDEO)

Bahrain, ruled by a Sunni minority, is the Arab world's forgotten revolution. Despite the government's use of torture and its brutal crushing of the popular uprising, the Obama administration continues to sign weapon deals and the Ryan-sponsored trade agreement. In our segment Friday, Maryam Al Khawaja, the

Bahraini Repression Amidst A Failing Strategy

This weeks decision by the Bahraini court of appeals to uphold the prison terms against Bahraini opposition activists is a travesty of justice and an indication that Bahraini repression continues unabated. Bahraini ofcials, when confronted with angry world reaction to the courts

decision, cynically hid behind the claim they would not interfere in the proceedings of their independent judiciary. Despite the threat to U.S. national interests and the security of U.S. citizens in Bahrain and elsewhere in the Gulf, Washington remains oblivious to the ruling familys violent crackdown against peaceful protesters in the name of ghting foreign elements. Pro-democracy Bahrainis are wondering what we are waiting for. Read More

Bahrain: Despite Sham Ruling the Revolution Continues

As a Bahraini appeals court upheld life sentences for seven activists, the tiny kingdoms public relations apparatus appeared to be on steroids as it issued multiple press releases trumpeting positive developments toward ending a year of violent death and destruction. The appeals for 13 other opposition gures were also denied. Most life sentences were upheld and a few sentences were reduced.

The near-simultaneous actions of the court and the government left some observers scratching their heads, seeking clarity for what they saw as the countrys schizophrenic policies. But human rights organizations were in no doubt: they condemned the harsh sentences and largely ignored the Kings claims of progress. The regime fears that releasing them means they will lead the revolution and gain more momentum, Maryam AlKhawaja told Prism Read More

MP slams double standards of UK Government over Bahrain

A British Member of Parliament has called on the UK Government to review its relationship with Bahrain and ensure human rights concerns are central to any dealings with the Government of Bahrain. Katy Clark, Labour MP forNorth Ayrshire and Arran,

has tabled an Early Day Motion to Parliament citing the recent report of Physicians for Human Rights on tear gas use in Bahrain. The motion is currently signed by 13 other MPs from across the political spectrum and calls on the Government (UK) to ensure that human rights concerns form the centre-point of all discussions with the Bahraini government until such time that the human rights situation in that country improves. Read More

My name is Jihan Kazerooni and I am a human rights defender

I was a person living far from the world of politics and human rights. My only interests were in travelling, going out and shopping. I didnt get to know that in my country of Bahrain we have an oppressive regime and that there are poor people suffering in the villages.

I didnt know that in Bahrain if you express your opinion you would get arrested and tortured. I was hearing from different sources that there were lots of poor people in Bahrain and that we have a dictator regime but I didnt care to dig around to nd out more about it. My Dad was always telling me that there are people in Bahrain who cant afford to buy a loaf of bread for their dinner and I was asking him: Dad, are you talking about Africa? Read More

Iran slams Bahrain over jail terms for Shias

Iran's foreign ministry on Friday slammed the imposition by Bahrain of jail terms on 13 leading Shia opposition gures in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom, state television reported. "The only solution to the crisis in Bahrain and to restore calm and stability is to respond to the legitimate

demands of the population," it quoted the ministry's spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying. He added that for the Bahraini authorities to "pursue their current policies will only complicate the situation even further." A Bahrain court on Tuesday upheld jail terms against the 13, including seven facing life in prison, on charges of plotting to overthrow the monarchy, lawyers said. Read More condemned the UK government for playing double games on Bahrain while the small Persian Gulf kingdom continues its crimes against its own citizens. Read More

Iran to host intl. conferences on human rights violations in Bahraini prisons

International conferences on human rights violations in prisons run by the Bahraini government will be held in ve Iranian cities from October 4 to 6, the International Union of Unied Ummah reported on Thursday. Read More

Imprisoning protesters is continuation of Bahrains wrong policies: Iran

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has said that prison sentences recently issued for a number of Bahraini protesters is a continuation of the wrong policies of the countrys government, the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency reported on Friday. Read More The Bahraini regime forces deployed in Manama, quelling the crowds who were heading towards the capital to take part in the march that the opposition called for. Read More Iran strongly condemned heavy jail sentences for Bahraini protesters, saying that the court ruling is the continuation of Manama regime's wrong policies. Read More

Bahraini regime forces fire tear gas at protesters in Manama

Bahrains Saudi-backed regime forces have used tear gas to disperse peaceful demonstrators who gathered near Manama to demand the release of political prisoners. Read More

Bahrain Regime Surrounds Capital, Quells Protestors Heading There

Bahraini forces fire tear gas at protesters in Manama

Bahrains Saudi-backed regime forces in Manama have red tear gas to disperse peaceful demonstrators demanding release of jailed opposition gures. Read More

Iran Deplores Court Ruling on Bahraini Opposition Figures

UK MP attacks govt. hypocrisy over Bahrain

British Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran has

from proper medical care Bahraini activists harsh jail sentences arouse Irans outcry
Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has voiced deep concern over the harsh jail sentences handed down to a number of Bahraini activists, urging Manama to respect the legitimate rights of its people. Read More Although Bahrain is a signatory of the convention of the rights of the child, children in Bahrain continue to be subjected to ill-treatment, torture and arbitrary detention by the Bahraini force. Bahrain Center for human rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern over the high number of detained children. Read More

Iran Voices Deep Concern over Bahrain Verdicts

As it voiced deep concern over the harsh verdicts against Bahraini right activists, Tehran urged Manama to respect the legitimate rights of its people. Read More

Why didnt CNN air its own documentary on Bahrains Arab Spring Repression?
In late March 2011, as the Arab Spring was spreading, CNN sent a four-person crew to Bahrain to produce a onehour documentary on the use of internet technologies and social media by democracy activists in the region. Featuring on-air investigative correspondent Amber Lyon, the CNN team had a very eventful eight-day stay in that small, US-backed kingdom. Read More

Bahrain: 16 years old child Ali Al Muhafdha detained and deprived