5th November 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Bahrain continues crackdown on opposition
Bahrain!released yesterday,!Nov. 3,!the secretary-general of the oppositions Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Sheikh Ali Salman, placing him under house arrest. Salman was interrogated for six hours regarding AlWefaqs launch of an exhibition last Wednesday that displayed structural models, drawings and pictures attributed to the police and its systematic pursuance of inhumane practices and human rights violations, as stated by the Minister of State for Media Affairs Samira Rajab. Salman told As-Sar: AlWefaq is the largest opposition group in Bahrain and it won 64% of the total votes in the 2006 and 2010 elections. Therefore, summoning its members and secretary general against the backdrop of opening the Museum of the Revolution, which, as stated and documented by the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, displays the violations that occurred in Bahrain, is a conscation of the right of expression. This museum was only a peaceful and artistic right. The report was accepted, along with its recommendations, by the Bahraini authorities. Read More

Bahrain violates religious rights, attacks Ashura ritual

Bahraini regime forces have attacked Shia Muslims marking an Ashura ritual in southern part of the capital, Manama, violating the religious rights of the majority of the Persian Gulf country. According to the Islamic Wefaq Association, the

regime troops on Monday used toxic gas canisters to disperse Shias mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions in the desert of Karbala in 7th century. In line with the systematic violations against religious freedom, annual Ashura manifestations were targeted by regime forces in Bahrain, the association said in a statement on Monday. Read More weapons of mass destruction raises the concerns in the Gulf. Abdul-Ghaffar, who is also the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies, added, There is an intent to disrupt the regional balance of power and impose a new equation on the Gulf states, especially those having differences with Iran. Read More

Adviser to Bahrain king: GCC basis of balance in region

Adviser to the king of Bahrain for diplomatic affairs, Mohammed AbdulGhaffar, conrmed that the most important challenge facing the Gulf region is the growing role of Islamic groups at the regional level, pointing out to AlHayat that Irans success in developing the technology necessary for

state security. Those without dual citizenship were effectively made stateless by the decision.

Bahrain must urgently reinstate nationality of 31 opposition figures

Bahrains Ministry of Interior must immediately rescind the decision to strip 31 members of the opposition of their Bahraini nationality made a year ago, Amnesty International urged. On 7 November 2012, the Ministry took the extreme measureagainst the opposition activists, who are all Shia, saying they had caused damage to

Stripping away the nationality of government critics shows that the Bahraini authorities continue to lash out and discredit anyone they deem a threat. Instead of addressing the criticism levelled against them, the authorities have found no other way to respond than depriving Bahraini citizens of their nationality, said Hassiba Hadj-Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty Internationals Middle East Programme. Read More