3rd/ 4th December 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Bahrain Court Bars U.S. Observer from Activist's Trial
The United States was Tuesday seeking an explanation from Bahraini authorities after a US embassy observer was expelled from the trial of a prominent rights activist. A representative of the U.S. embassy was asked to leave Monday's court hearing for Shiite activist Nabeel Rajab, a State Department ofcial conrmed. "We are seeking additional clarication from the Bahraini government as to why she was not allowed to observe the proceedings," deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters. Read More based on what could comprise thousands of cameras to monitor critical facilities, government buildings, shopping malls and other areas in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. Ofcials said the closedcircuit television cameras would be linked to a command center operated by the Interior Ministry. Read More lead the U.S. government delegation to the Manama Dialogue, a security conference hosted by Bahrain. This trip presents an opportunity for the Bahrain government to hear rsthand from a senior Obama Administration ofcial that Washington cannot continue business as usual with Bahrain, said Human Rights Firsts Brian Dooley. Increasing repression in Bahrain is leading to greater instability, a shaky economy and a rise in sectarianism. Read More

Bahrain: Court Denies Early Release for Activist Nabeel Rajab

In the Gulf nation of Bahrain, a court has denied a bid for early release from leading human rights activist Nabeel Rajab. Rajab was sentenced to three years in prison last

summer as part of a government crackdown on dissent. According to Amnesty International, he has reported dire prison conditions, including being kept in solitary connement with a dead animal in his cell. Rajabs lawyer said he is eligible for early release under Bahraini law, but the request was rejected on Sunday. Bahrain is a close ally of the United States. Read More are straightforward, which makes the lack of resolution all the more frustrating.! In a few days, the IISS-run, Bahraini Governmentfunded, Manama Dialogue will take place in the Bahraini capital. As well as the semi-public conference proceedings, the three-day event offers an opportunity for senior regional and international gures to meet privately and talk about the enormous changes taking place in the region. Read More Greenert, U.S. chief of naval operations, told Stars and Stripes Bahrain is intended as a centerpiece for the branchs footprint in the Middle East. Construction is now underway to build more infrastructure and capacity to support the additional units on the base, which is home to the U.S. 5th Fleet, Greenert told the newspaper. Read More

Bahrain installing thousands of cameras to track Shiite thugs in urban areas

Bahrain has approved the establishment of a command and control network to battle the Shiite revolt. The Cabinet has approved a proposal for a C2 network

Bahrain: Attending the wrong dialogue?

I am returning from Lebanon and Bahrain, where I've been speaking to various elements of the Shi'a community in each country. Lebanon's sectarian problems have always been multi-faceted and are complicated by centuries of foreign interference, making their resolution virtually impossible. In Bahrain they

Human Rights First Urges Secretary Hagel to Use Bahrain Visit to Call for Real Reform
Human Rights First today calls on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to speak out for real reform in Bahrain as he travels to the kingdom this week!and to make clear that the United States will use its military relationship with the Bahrain government to press for desperately-needed change. On December 7 and 8, Secretary Hagel will

ADM. JONATHAN GREENERT: U.S. TO INCREASE NAVAL PRESENCE IN BAHRAIN

Adm. Jonathan Greenert has said the U.S. Navy intends to boost its presence in Bahrain by deploying more equipment, maritime vehicles and personnel there, Stars and Stripes!reported Nov. 27.