16th August - 1st September 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

had put down antigovernment unrest earlier that year.

Bahrain: Is police reform facade or fact?

Authorities in the Gulf island kingdom of Bahrain say they have undertaken a lengthy list of reforms of the police but critics say the reforms are little more than window dressing. The police were heavily criticised in November 2011 by a panel of international human rights experts for the brutality with which they

Dozens died, hundreds were injured and hundreds more arrested - almost all Shia Muslims, the majority population in a country ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family, the al-Khalifas. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), established by King Hamad al-Khalifa in response to an international outcry, delivered a damning verdict. Read More Waving Bahrain's red and white ag and carrying pictures of political prisoners, the protesters denounced King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa and Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa. "Down with Hamad," they chanted. "We are here ... because we want freedom. We are used to oppression, and teargas and beatings," said Hayat al-Abbar, a 38-yearold secretary who joined the march. Read More

Talks to end the crisis in Bahrain set to resume

Talks aimed at ending Bahrain's political crisis will resume today after a twomonth break, complicated by a string of car bombings and new anti-terrorist measures. Despite a lack of progress in the talks, which began in February and adjourned in June, there is agreement among participants in the so-called National Dialogue

that it may be the best, perhaps the last, chance to end the country's latest spate of turmoil, which began with massive demonstrations in February 2011 calling for an end to political and economic discrimination against the country's majority Shiite population. "Dialogue is the only option for Bahrain and Bahrainis," said Bahrain's education minister, Majid Ali Al Naimi, who represents the government in the talks. Read More Hamad whose family has ruled the tiny Gulf kingdom for decades.

Thousands of Bahrainis march peacefully for democratic reforms

Thousands of Bahrainis were allowed to march peacefully outside Manama calling for democratic reforms on Friday, 10 days after police cracked down on scattered protests organised by an online group inspired by recent demonstrations in Egypt.

Bahrain police, Shiite protesters clash in villages

Protesters calling for the overthrow of Bahrain's ruling Sunni monarchy clashed with police across several Shiite villages overnight, witnesses said Friday without reporting casualties. "Down with Hamad," hundreds chanted of King

The protesters hurled stones and petrol bombs at policemen who responded by ring buckshot, tear gas, and sound grenades, the sources said. The protests were held in response to a call issued by the opposition February 14 Coalition youth group. Read More

protesting over their conditions, an activist said.

Bahrain detention centre riot leaves 40 hurt

At least 40 Bahraini prisoners were hurt on Friday when security forces used batons, tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades against inmates

The Interior Ministry said security forces had restored order after a number of detainees rioted. They tried to break the doors, the police interfered and restored order, a tweet by the ministry said. Read More

Bahrain king boosts backlash on violent protests

Bahrain's king has issued new decrees, giving authorities more powers to strip citizenship and block suspected funding channels in attempts to quell escalating anti-government violence in the Gulf nation.

The measures are part of wider planned crackdowns unveiled earlier this week. They seek to battle a nearly 30-month uprising by majority Shiites demanding a greater political voice in the strategic Sunni-ruled nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Shiite groups have denounced the steps, which also may include a ban on all protests in the capital, Manama. Read More

Thousands take to streets in Bahrain to protest for democracy (PHOTOS)

Thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets in a march for democratic reform outside the capital Manama, 10 days after a police crackdown on a similar demonstration organized online by activists inspired by the Egyptian protests.

The protesters marched west of the capital on Friday, protesting against the stringent new laws that prohibit public dissent. This, however, was a sanctioned march and no trouble or scufes with police were seen this time around. Down with Hamad, the crowd chanted as it walked with national red-and-white ags and banners that called for King Hamad bin Isaa al-Khalifa and Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa to go. King Hamad has been in power since 1999. Read More

Bahrains Tamarod Is Here to Stay

On Aug. 14, the 42nd anniversary of Bahrains independence from Britain, an online group called Tarmarod (rebellion in Arabic) ofcially joined Bahrains democracy movement that began in February 2011. Tamarods name and inspiration came from the Egyptian movement that led to the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In its rst statement, issued on Jul. 4, Tamarod said it wants a homeland that embraces all its citizens, an Arab and independent Bahrain where the people can have greater decisionmaking power within their country. This movement is a rebellion against the injustice and illegitimacy of a regime that has exerted its power through the exploitation of the countrys natural resources and draconian legislation that limits human rights and judges its citizens based on their ethnicities, the statement said. Read More