11th July 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Bahrain opens trial against 50 suspected members of shadowy militant network
A defense lawyer in Bahrain says state prosecutors have opened their cases against 50 suspected members of a shadowy anti-government faction accused of trying to topple the Gulf kingdom's Western-backed rulers. The group, known as the Feb. 14 movement after the opening the Shiite-led uprising in 2011, is the most militant network active in Bahrain's near nonstop unrest. Its leadership is unknown and is believed to be a loose alliance linked by social media. Lawyer Manar Maki says only nine suspects attended the rst court session Thursday. Among them was a 38-year-old woman who claimed she was stripped and tortured in custody. The trial resumes July 25. Read More Opposition ghts back

Bahrain: Struggle for democracy continues

Bahrains opposition has had a trying two years as it vies for a spot amongst the Arab Spring uprisings. Freedom of speech repression, torture, and denied entry are just some of their grievances. Indeed, since the struggle for democratic reform began, Bahrains human rights record has fallen to record lows, threatening the oppositions gains.

Just months before protests broke out in February 2011, Ali Alaswad, a member of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, was busy proposing reforms bills to the Council of Representatives. His experiences in parliament, however, pushed him to deem it "powerless." "Ministers refused to be held accountable, and progovernment MPs teamed up to block any reforms," he tells Ahram Online. Read More

Demonstrations planned Friday in Bahrain

The British government has warned its citizens in Bahrain to be aware of their surroundings because of the possibility for violent protests this week. The government said an authorized demonstration is

planned Friday in a village west of the capital Manama. A travel warning issued Thursday said there may be attempts by protesters to use gasoline bombs and improvised explosive devices during the demonstration. "As a result there could be clashes between government security forces and protesters," the advisory said. Read More

The Arab Spring Wasn't Successful for Everyone in the Region

Although remnants of the Arab Spring are still seen across the region (note the current volatility in Egypt), the protesters in some nations weren't as effective. One of those nations is Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Inspired by the popular uprisings across North Africa and the Middle

East, thousands of people in 2011 took to the streets to demonstrate against the monarchy. And the government's response was swift and violent. Clashes resulted in thousands of arrests and several deaths. Many of the journalists covering the events either lost their jobs, were ned, or were arrested. Nazeeha Saeed, a 32-year-old reporter for France 24, was one of those targeted by government ofcials. Read More