18th April 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Opposition in Bahrain calls for big protest before F1 race
Organizers of Bahrain's Grand Prix said Thursday that sporadic protests against the race and violent unrest across the Gulf nation do not pose a threat to the premier international event in the kingdom. Anti-government groups have stepped up protests against the race in attempts to embarrass authorities, but the demonstrations have been mostly isolated to areas that are hotbeds of opposition to the ruling royal family. Rights groups also are using the race to criticize Bahrain's arrests and other security crackdowns. Read More Bahrain in yet another day of protests, witnesses said.

Bahrain opposition to rally as F1 practices kick-off

Bahrain's Shiite opposition plans huge protests on Friday to coincide with practice sessions in the runup to Sunday's Grand Prix in the Gulf kingdom in a bid to seize world attention for pro-reform demands. On Thursday night, thousands demonstrated in several areas across

"No Formula on Bahrain's occupied land," chanted the protesters. "No, no blood Formula." Police red tear gas and stun grenades. The radical February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, a clandestine cyber-group, said on Twitter that its supporters had burned tyres and blocked major roads. Read More "I personally think it's safe to do the race, there is no problem," he told reporters at the Manama circuit. "We have ve per cent who don't like it but the majority do -- and we cater for the majority," he added, saying that no specic threat had been received. Read More

Bahrain steps up arrests ahead of F1 motor racing event

Bahrain has arrested several people accused of stealing and burning cars amid heightened security in the island kingdom before Sunday's Formula One race, which the opposition sees as a chance to publicize a pro-democracy campaign. Watched by millions around the world, the Grand Prix is

the biggest sporting event hosted by the U.S.-allied country and the government is hoping for a healthy turnout at this year's race despite continuing violent unrest. The Gulf Arab state, where the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is based, has been hit by unrest since pro-democracy protests broke out in early 2011, putting it in the frontline of the region-wide tussle between Shi'ite MuslimIran and Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia. Read More Grand Prix events begin Friday in Bahrain with the race set for Sunday.

Bahrain GP will be safe - track boss

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani on Thursday said that this weekend's Grand Prix will take place in safety, despite fresh protests that have greeted Formula One's arrival in the Gulf kingdom.

Bahrian Grand Prix draws human rights concern

Organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix are ignoring human rights concerns in the host country, Human Rights Watch said.

The event last year was overshadowed by protesters frustrated with the policies of the Sunni-led monarchy. The 2011 edition of the race was canceled because of anti-government protests. Read More

Bahrain Grand Prix 2013: truth is a casualty as regime seeks global exposure race will bring
And the creep of propaganda is never greater than when Formula One is in town. Placemen for the government depict Sundays grand prix as some form of benevolent mercy for the people, while dissidents are eager to

accentuate more grisly police repression in the riotscarred villages of Sitra and Sanabis. Reality, as ever, hovers precariously in between. Few would dispute that the Formula One cavalcade brings Bahrains greatest exposure on the global stage. This tiny island kingdom derives international renown from little else besides its oil, its pearl-diving past, and a gold souk in the capital, Manama. Read More

Bahrain Grand Prix 2013: crown prince tries to calm tensions ahead of race at Sakhir on Sunday
We still have problems, but lets not politicise the race, urged Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, as demonstrations persisted on the outskirts of the capital Manama.

Amid a heightened security presence in disaffected Shia communities, the crown prince, Bahrains deputy prime minister, said: We have had a rough time with the press. Our main problems are centred around two clear issues: civil rights and law and order. Those two things can be in opposition to one another or they can go hand in hand. We need to make sure that we bring the diverse elements of the country together. Read More embarked on a week-long campaign entitled "volcanic ames", as part of their condemnation of the race. "Our job is to make sure the event passes smoothly," Alzayani said. "We do our part and whatever happens outside the track somebody else is responsible for. I personally think it's safe to do the race, there is no problem. We have 5% who don't like it but the majority do and we cater for the majority. Read More for scheduling the race, which begins on Sunday, have taken no steps to address human rights violations linked to the event. "The Formula 1 organisers apparently prefer to bury their heads in the sand, risking holding their race against repression it has provoked." Read More

F1 courts controversy with Bahrain race

Protests surged across Bahrain on Thursday as opposition radicals called for the cancellation of this weekends Formula 1 Grand Prix because of ongoing repression in the strategic archipelago. On the eve of Fridays rst practice session, the smell

of burning rubber rose from barricades of tyres set alight by youths trying to block roads after the February 14 youth coalition warned that its volcanic ames campaign would target Manama, the capital, and the Grand Prix track. But the government, backed by a large Sunni minority, and the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile, the motorsports governing body, insisted the race would take place. Read More But Formula 1's governing body has defended the race, saying it could have a healing effect. For the past two years members of the Shia majority have been protesting against what they say are human rights abuses by the ruling Sunni minority. Read More

Bahrain circuit chief insists F1 grand prix will go ahead safely

The chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, Zayed R Alzayani, said Sunday's grand prix will go ahead safely, despite pro-democracy protests and labelled anyone who used violence in the campaign as terrorists. The February 14 Youth Coalition, an underground movement, this week

Fresh Bahrain clashes ahead of Formula 1 race

Fresh clashes have erupted in Bahrain ahead of this Sunday's F1 race in the Gulf kingdom. Activists have demanded the race be cancelled due to the country's poor human rights record.

Bahrain criticised over Formula One protest arrests

Bahrain has been criticised by Amnesty International after several protesters were arrested during demonstrations ahead of Sunday's Formula One race. We are seeing nothing but crackdowns and token gestures to clean up the countrys image

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT The human rights group warned that the Gulf Arab state was inviting a repeat of last year's violent Grand Prix clashes. Bahrain's state news agency reported last night that a male suspect in custody had confessed to burning a car that had exploded in the country's nancial district on April 14. Read More

F1 'ignoring' human rights abuses in Bahrain

Formula One organisers are "burying their heads in the sand" and putting the Grand Prix in Bahrain ahead of human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch claimed today. The group said international racing bodies responsible

the situation in Bahrain had improved.

F1 boss has 'no concerns' about Bahrain Grand Prix

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone rejected pleas for the Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled, saying he had "no concerns" that it would become a target for anti-government protesters. Mr Ecclestone told Reuters last week that he believed

"I haven't had any negative reports from anybody there," he said. "Somebody who actually lives there came to see me yesterday and said everything's very normal". "I think they [both sides] are talking now anyway ... so I don't think they'll upset the talks by making protests", he added. Read More the international event is on the way to becoming an annual xture of the sporting calendar since the 2011 race was scrapped because of a crackdown on street protests. Since then, the governments strong-arm reaction to demonstrators demanding greater democracy and equal rights for the island states Shia population has failed to quash the protest movement. Read More

Amateur videos: Violent protests in Bahrain ahead of F1

Amateur videos posted on social media websites shows protesters in Bahrain clashing with police ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix. Masked protesters are seen throwing petrol bombs and

lighting tyres in the street. The video also shows protesters walking through tear gas while one shouts "down with Hamad", a reference to Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. Police have arrested several people and the government is hoping for a healthy turnout at this year's Grand Prix despite ongoing unrest. Read More

detained by the authorities earlier on Thursday.

Bahrain F1 Event Goes Ahead Despite Human Rights Protests

Formula One drivers were arriving on Thursday for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is to go ahead on schedule this weekend after the organizers rejected calls from human rights activists to cancel it. The controversy over whether the small Arabian Gulf kingdom should host

Bahrain Grand Prix: British TV Crew Held By Police

A British TV crew were held and questioned at a police station in Bahrain as they lmed ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix. The ITV team of ve had travelled to the Gulf nation on an ofcial visa but were

An ITV News spokeswoman said: "We can conrm we have an ITV News team in Bahrain on a trip approved by the Bahraini authorities who issued their visas. "They were taken to a local police station after being stopped from lming earlier today. They were not arrested. Read More protests organised by opponents to the ruling royal family.

Bahrain Grand Prix 2013: violent protestors at Formula One race are 'terrorists', claims circuit chairman
The Feb 14 Youth Coalition, an underground movement, this week embarked on a week-long campaign entitled 'volcanic ames', as part of their condemnation of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Slickly-produced videos have appeared on YouTube

of the protesters blocking main roads with tyres before setting re to them, sending the ordinary public travelling in their cars scattering to safety. It is incidents such as those that anger Alzayani. But the man behind the track that this weekend stages its ninth running of the event has no qualms with those who peacefully call for reform in this troubled Gulf island kingdom. Read More

Bahrain GP: F1 can have 'healing effect', claims FIA president

FIA president Jean Todt says the Bahrain Grand Prix can have a "healing effect" on a country struggling with civil unrest. Sunday's race is taking place amid a week of

MPs and protest groups in Bahrain have called for the race to be cancelled. But Todt said: "Sport and F1 can have a positive and healing effect in situations where conict, social unrest and tensions cause distress." Read More

Bahrain opposition to car rally grows

BAHRAIN'S Shi'ite opposition are planning huge protests to coincide with practice sessions in the run-up to Sunday's Grand Prix in the Gulf kingdom in a bid to seize world attention for pro-reform demands.

Thousands demonstrated on Thursday night in several areas across Bahrain in yet another day of protests, witnesses said. "No Formula on Bahrain's occupied land," chanted the protesters. "No, no blood Formula." Police red tear gas and stun grenades. Read More

F1: Fresh concerns raised over Bahrain Grand Prix as protesters clash with security forces
There are new concerns about this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix after protest groups opposed to the race erected makeshift roadblocks and barricades of burning tyres during clashes with security forces.

Today's demonstrations were mostly isolated to antigovernment areas, however, and race organisers remain condent that the race will go ahead without disruption. Anti-government groups have stepped up protests against the race in attempts to embarrass authorities. Human Rights group, including Amnesty International, have criticized Bahrain's arrests and other security crackdowns. Read More off the event. And in recent weeks, they've stepped up their activity. While for some groups that has meant writing letters to F1 participants and promoters, others have taken a decidedly more aggressive approach. The February 14 Youth Movement, for instance, has posted YouTube videos threatening to inict "remorse and heartbreak" if the event proceeds. In this video, posted March 30, activists block trafc lanes with a car, douse it with gasoline, and light it on re: Read More ofcial authorities have very little support and is unlikely to jeopardize the preparations for the Formula 1 race scheduled for Sunday, 21 April. Bahrain Grand Prix, which will see millions of fans of Formula 1 in the world, is the largest sporting event in that country, and the authorities have increased security measures in the hope that race will attract many spectators despite the riots in the country. Read More

Bahrain F1: Jean Todt Says Race Could Have 'Healing Effect' on Protests
Bahraini police have clashed with pro-democracy demonstrators who put up makeshift roadblocks and barricades of burning tyres to protest against this weekend's Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Protesters chanted "No. No to blood Formula" and "Your race is a crime", while riot police red tear gas canisters and stun grenades at them. Tensions have heightened ahead of the controversial race in Bahrain after authorities launched acrackdown on opposition activists, with local sources reporting increased house raids and arbitrary detention of protesters. Read More not stand by and allow you a race fuelled by the blood of our freedom loving comrades in Bahrain," the statement read. The group has threatened to publish the personal information of anyone attending the race and has named Bahraini government websites and the ofcial Formula 1 website among its targets. Read More

The epic Bahrain protest videos emerging ahead of the Grand Prix
The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix is scheduled for this Sunday, April 21. But if the country's protest movement has its way, the race won't take place at all. For months, opponents of Bahrain's monarchy have pressed for the race to be canceled or moved elsewhere to prevent the government from proting

Could Anonymous shut down the Bahrain Grand Prix?

Last Sunday, Anonymous, which has previously attacked targets such as the Pentagon and News Corp, released a press release addressing Formula 1 boss Bernie Eccleston directly. "Anonymous will

Protests Against Formula 1 In Bahrain

Protesters against the Formula 1 race in Bahrain today during clashes with police forces set up barricades in the streets, setting tires on re, after which large number of people have been arrested for stealing and burning cars. Demonstrations are taking place mainly in the areas of the country where the

Bahrain arrests terrorists ahead of Formula 1 race

Bahraini authorities have arrested "terrorists" accused of burning cars and blocking roads, a progovernment newspaper reported on Thursday ahead of the Formula 1 race due at the weekend in the Gulf state, dpa reported.

Al-Ayyam reported that police investigators had examined a key intersection where protesters burned and blew up a car earlier in the week and had tracked down the culprit, who confessed to "the terrorist crime." Five further persons suspected of burning a car, theft, and blocking roads had also been arrested, the paper said, quoting the chief of the Criminal Investigations Department. Read More been sent to Parliament Speaker Khalifa Al Dhahrani and the legislative committee of the lower chamber will decide whether it will be forwarded to the full session for a vote by the 40 lawmakers. Under the parliament bylaws, the committee has ten days to announce its decision. Read More

repressive actions in the lead-up to the 2013 race.

Bahrain: F1 Ignores Rights Abuses Ahead of Race

International racing bodies responsible for scheduling the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix from April 19 to 21, 2013, have taken no steps to address human rights abuses that appear to be directly linked to the event. Bahraini security forces killed a protester during the 2012 Grand Prix and have increased their

In recent weeks, security forces have conducted home raids in the vicinity of the race circuit and arbitrarily arrested and detained opposition gures. Protesters have indicated they will demonstrate against the Grand Prix, with the risk that the Bahraini authorities will use repressive measures to close down the protests. Read More

Bahrain justice minister calls to lift MPs immunity

Bahrains justice minister has called for lifting the immunity of a lawmaker upon a request from the public prosecutor. The request to strip MP Salman Al Shaikh of his parliamentary immunity has

Bahrain Grand Prix: FIA & FOM joint statement

The Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Formula One Management (FOM) wish to jointly conrm their belief that the Bahrain GP should go ahead this weekend. The FIA and FOM also strongly believe that sport can often be a force for

good and that the staging of the Grand Prix in Bahrain will come some way in helping soothe some of the issues which have been raised in the media. Jean Todtand Bernie Ecclestoneare united in expressing their support for the Bahrain GP and the national organiser, and wish that all concerned respect the desire of the teams, drivers and all those involved in the staging of the event to do the best job possible over the weekend. Read More Hendersons lifes work intertwined intimately with al-Khalifa, especially with the familys all-powerful perennial Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman, the rulers brother. The policies of discrimination, exclusion, and intolerance practiced by the Sunni minority ruling family against the Shia majority were designed and executed by Henderson and his subordinates and blessed by the prime minister. Read More

Ethical standards under the spotlight in Bahrain

A networking event organised by ACCA in Manama heard from His Excellency Dr AbdulHussain Bin Ali Mirza, Minister of State for Electricity and Water Affairs, himself an accountant by training. He said that the accountancy profession still felt repercussions following the nancial scandals of the past decade on a daily basis and he voiced his concern that more problems may still be uncovered. Those scandals had, he

said led to a general loss of trust and condence in exactly the supposed 'guardian' of corporate transparency and integrity the auditor. Adnan Hashim, CFO of NCB Capital , said, "Trust comes with time and must begin from within. We are seeing a huge change in expectations placed on nance professionals who are not only expected to provide data, but to also provide analysis and insight to enhance business decisions, measure corporate performance, and engage in strategy formulation. Read More

OP-ED: Ian Henderson and Repression in Bahrain: A Forty-Year Legacy

Ian Hendersons death announcement Apr. 15 in Bahrain brings to an end the life of a British expatriate who was the architect and supervisor of the harsh internal security policies of the al-Khalifa ruling family since the early days of independence over 40 years ago.