5th/ 6th April 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Bahraini forces clash with anti-regime protesters near Manama
Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have clashed with demonstrators protesting against the ruling Al Khalifa regime near the capital Manama, APA reports quoting Press TV. On Thursday, regime forces red teargas and sound grenades at the demonstrators, who shouted slogans against the government and called for its downfall. Activists said the protest rally was held as a symbolic last day of mourning for Jaffar Jassim al-Taweel, who was killed after inhaling toxic gas red by Bahraini forces during antiregime protests on March 25. Read More

Bairds silence on abuses in Bahrain exposes Canadas inconsistency

The government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper prides itself on having a principled foreign policy and for taking clear positions in the defence of human rights. Why, then, did Foreign Minister John Baird barely utter a peep in public about Bahrains terrible human rights record when he visited that country on Wednesday? When Arab Spring protests spread to this Persian Gulf state in 2011, Bahrains

government responded with deadly force, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and other forms of ill treatment, according to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and many other independent observers. Although Bahrains government later promised to implement reforms including accountability at the uppermost levels of the countrys security forces for abuses against protesters, and the release of unjustly imprisoned opposition and human rights leaders it has taken little action to full these pledges. Read More pro-democracy uprising was crushed and at least 35 people - activists put the tally far higher - were killed. Last year's grand prix, the biggest sporting event in the U.S.-allied Gulf island kingdom and watched by hundreds of millions around the world, went ahead controversially amid tight security and against a backdrop of burning tyres and riot police ring teargas at petrol-bomb throwing protesters in Shi'ite villages. Read More

military and civilian trials and is serving a ve-year sentence.

Silent Witness The U.S. Government and the Trial of Bahraini Human Rights Defender Abu Deeb
Saturday April 6 will be exactly two years since Mahdi Abu Deeb, President of the Bahrain Teachers Association (BTA), was arrested for his part in the peaceful uprising. He was tortured, subjected to unfair

Washington has been relatively muted about the Bahrain crackdown, and we are told the U.S. government has to carefully weigh other equities, including the U.S. Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, before it openly criticizes the regimes human rights violations. Read More Last seasons race went ahead amidst the backdrop of tight security as Shiiteled protests ared up in the Gulf state. The 2011 race at the Sakhir desert circuit was cancelled when a pro-democracy uprising was crushed by the countrys ruling Sunni Elite. At least 35 people were killed although protestors claimed the death toll was far higher. Read More

No concerns about Bahrain Grand Prix, says F1 boss Ecclestone

Formula One has no concerns about this month's Bahrain Grand Prix becoming a target for antigovernment protesters, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Friday. The race at the Sakhir desert circuit was cancelled in 2011 when a Shi'ite-led

Ecclestone insists Bahrain will be a trouble-free zone after past disturbances

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is condent the Bahrain Grand Prix will pass off without incident and has conrmed he will attend the race in two weeks time.

Ecclestone expects problem free Bahrain Grand Prix

Bernie Ecclestone has no concerns that this month's Bahrain Grand Prix will be targeted by antigovernment protesters in the island kingdom. Last year Formula One faced critcism as it decided

to race in Bahrain despite pro-democracy demonstrators threatening to target the event to promote their cause. The grand prix went ahead without major disruption but only a year earlier in 2011 it had to be cancelled after uprisings among members of the Shi'ite majority against the ruling Sunni elite turned violent and resulted in tens of deaths. Read More

Ecclestone unconcerned by Bahrain GP

Bernie Ecclestone has no reservations over the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix despite widespread protests in the run up to last years race. In 2011, the race was postponed due to violence

aring up in the wake of the Arab Spring, with the safety of all personnel thought to be at risk should the GP have gone ahead. One year later, there were still violent protests to deal with, but the race went ahead regardless without any interruptions, although two members of the Force India team ew home for fear of their safety. Read More

Bernie Ecclestone Plays Down Unrest in Bahrain as the Crisis Continues

President of Formula One Bernie Ecclestone was quoted in a Reuters piece today saying he has no concerns about the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix becoming a target for protestors. I havent had any negative reports from anybody

there, Eccleston said. I think they (both sides) are talking now anyway so I dont think [democracy protestors] will upset the talks by making protests. It didnt help them last year, so if they had any brains theyd just get on with their talks. Somebody who actually lives there came to see me yesterday and said everythings very normal, Ecclestone adds. Read More