9th/ 10th July 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Q&A: No Justice for Tortured Bahraini Journalist
In May 2011, almost a year and half after a Tunisian street vendors selfimmolation sparked waves of revolution still rocking the Middle East, Bahraini journalist Nazeeha Saeed was tortured during her 13hour detention before signing a confession she was not allowed to read. Saeed, who had been covering Bahrains prodemocracy movement for France 24, was blindfolded, slapped, kicked and beaten with a hose in Riffa police station where she had voluntarily gone for questioning. She was charged with fabricating news reports, working with Iranian and Lebanese channels and being part of a terrorist cell. A photograph of her covering a protest in the capital, Manama, is the only evidence shes seen. Following complaints from France24, Bahrains Ministry of the Interior launched an investigation that resulted in the acquittal of one female ofcer two years later. Read More that it noted with grave concern the twin blasts leaving one policeman dead and three injured in Bahrain over the weekend. The European Union once more calls on all parties to bridge the gap between communities and to work towards genuine national reconciliation in Bahrain, the union said. A solution to the current difculties in Bahrain can only be found through constructive dialogue. Read More

Bahrains Minister of Justice on the National Dialogue

With the momentous events currently taking place in Egypt and Syria, observers of the Middle East could almost be forgiven for overlooking the affairs of the small island kingdom of Bahrain in the Gulf. However, it would be a mistake to ignore what has been taking place there since the unrest that rocked the kingdom in 2011. Amid continuing protests (albeit on a much smaller scale) and demands for reform, the government initiated a

National Dialogue among representatives of various political parties (including the opposition), the government, and parliament to discuss reforms and the various issues facing Bahrain. As the process enters its second year, Asharq AlAwsat spoke to Khalid Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, a member of the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty and Bahrains Minister of Justice, about the progress of the dialogue, the criticisms expressed by the opposition, and what he hopes it will achieve in the future. Read More

EU warns violence creates more obstacles

The European Union has expressed grave concern about the killing of a Bahrain policeman, saying that violence only creates more obstacles to longterm solutions. Posting its stance on its Twitter account, the union of European countries said