Bahraini Activist Speaks Out

CNN: New law: Insult Bahrain's king, get thrown in jail: Bahrain's king has ratified a new law that imposes a prison sentence of up to seven years and fine of up to $26,500 for anyone who publicly insults him, state-run media said. » | Schams Elwazer, CNN | Thursday, February 06, 2014

We Must Look After Our Allies East of Suez

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain should act to stop Russia replacing the US in the affections of the Arab world

It is now more than 40 years since Denis Healey, the Labour defence secretary at the time, ordered the withdrawal of British forces located east of the Suez Canal in a futile attempt to balance the government’s books.

If few could dispute the economic imperative that necessitated a dramatic reduction in Britain’s global presence, the decision came as a particularly cruel blow to the Gulf Arabs, most of whom cherished their long-standing ties with Britain which, in many cases, dated back to the early 19th century.

With London no longer able to protect them, the Americans quickly filled the void, and the arrival of the US 5th Fleet – which today has more warships than the entire Royal Navy – to take over the Bahrain naval base vacated by British forces in 1971 aptly symbolised our humiliating retreat from empire. Until recently, the Pax Americana has admirably served the Gulf region’s interests, whether protecting it from the threat posed by the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein or the more sinister designs of the ayatollahs menacing the Arab regimes from the opposite shores of the Gulf.

But, thanks to the Obama administration’s woeful disregard for the concerns of its erstwhile allies, the entire future of the Western alliance’s relationship with the Gulf region is now under threat. Read on and comment » | Con Coughlin | Tuesday, December 10, 2013

'Schizophrenic' US Foreign Policy Pushing Arab States Toward Russia, Bahrain Warns

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Obama administration's stance on Iran and Syria could see US lose influence in the Middle East, Bahrain's rulers warn

America’s “schizophrenic” approach to the Middle East could result in many key Arab states deciding to align themselves more closely with Russia, the rulers of Bahrain warned on Sunday.

In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, warned that Barack Obama's administration would lose influence in the region if it persisted with what [is] a “transient and reactive” foreign policy.

There has been a sharp rise in tensions between Washington and several major Arab states in the wake of last month’s controversial interim agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Citing President Obama’s handling of the recent crisis over Syria’s chemical weapons, which allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize the initiative, Sheikh Salman said some states were now seriously reviewing their relations with the US.

“The Russians have proved they are reliable friends,” said Sheikh Salman, referring to Mr Putin’s diplomatic intervention to prevent Western military action against Bashar al-Assad.

“As a result some states in the region have already started to look at developing more multilateral relations rather than just relying on Washington. America seems to suffer from schizophrenia when it deals with the Arab world.” » | Con Coughlin, Defence Editor, Bahrain | Sunday, December 08, 2013

UK Must Do More to Explain Stance on Saudi Arabia, Say MPs

David Cameroon with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia last year

THE GUARDIAN: Campaigners claim whitewash after committee says there would be no advantage in stopping UK arms sales to kingdom

Britain is suffering from a "credibility problem" in claiming to be backing reform in Saudi Arabia, which is described by MPs as "one of the least democratic states in the world with a notoriously poor human rights record" in a report published on Friday.

MPs on the foreign affairs committee are also asking the government to "assess" the supply of weapons by Saudi Arabia to Syrian rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. But they said there would be no advantage in stopping lucrative UK arms sales to the conservative kingdom – triggering immediate condemnation of a "whitewash" by campaigners.

After a year-long investigation into Britain's relations with Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Bahrain, the all-party body says it is concerned about "limited but worrying evidence of a poor public perception of the UK in Saudi Arabia."

The report will be closely scrutinized in both Gulf countries, but especially in oil-rich Saudi Arabia, whose ambassador to the UK warned of negative consequences for bilateral relations when the parliamentary enquiry was announced last year.

The inquiry was launched against the background of the Arab Spring uprisings, the rise of Islamist forces and nervousness in the Gulf monarchies that the unrest would affect them. It took evidence from academics, businessmen, diplomats and defence sales officials. Read on and comment » | Ian Black, Middle East editor | Friday, November 22, 2013

My comment:

Human rights are always going to take a back seat for the UK government, whatever the hue, as long as such big contracts for arms sales are on offer. It is simply pie-in-the-sky to think otherwise. Hypocrisy rules the day. – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Bahrain Jails Shias over 'Iran-backed' Assassination Plans

THE GUARDIAN: Gulf state says Iran's Revolutionary Guards set up 'terror' cell which planned to attack its airport and government buildings

A Bahraini court has sentenced four Shia Muslims to life and six others to 15 years in jail on charges of setting up a militant cell linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard aimed at assassinating public figures in the Gulf Arab kingdom.

In February, Bahrain, a western ally which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, accused Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard of setting up the "terror" cell, which it said planned to attack its airport and government buildings.

Bahrain has accused Shia-led Iran of fuelling unrest in the country since a 2011 uprising by majority Shias demanding reforms and a greater say in running the kingdom ruled by the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty.

Tehran denies the accusation. » | Reuters in Bahrain | Monday, November 04, 2013

'Night Raids, Torture, Sham Trials a Daily Reality in Bahrain' - Human Rights Activist

In an Arab world swept away by revolutions and wars, few states have remained intact. And at what cost? Bahrain has seen protests, arrests and crackdowns on the opposition. Does stability necessarily mean political oppression in the Middle East? Why is Bahrain's trouble off international media's radar? We talk to human rights activist Maryam Alkhawaja, daughter of Bahrain's renowned dissident, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who is now in jail.

Human Rights Watch: 'Bahrain Children Beaten & Tortured' for Taking Part in Protests

Human rights watch claims there is evidence that Bahraini security forces routinely detain and abuse children suspected of participating in anti-government protests. That's according to a report, published today. Here we have a quote 'Information recently obtained from victims, family members, and local rights activists suggests that Bahraini authorities often hold children for long periods in detention and subject them to similar forms of mistreatment as adult detainees, including beatings and threats of torture.' Nicholas McGeehan, one of the authors of this press release, told RT some of the alarming details.

Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark

The story of the Arab revolution that was abandoned by the Arabs, forsaken by the West and forgotten by the world.

Bahrain: The Police and the Protesters

BBC: Police in Bahrain were heavily criticised in 2011 for the way in which they had put down anti-government unrest earlier that year.

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.

A panel of international human rights experts criticised the use of "excessive and unnecessary lethal force."

Now, authorities in the Gulf island kingdom say they have undertaken a lengthy list of reforms of the police.

Critics say the reforms are little more than window dressing.

Bill Law visited a Shia community to gauge the feeling there two years on. (+ video) » | Thursday, August 22, 2013

Engulfed by Weapons: Germany Under Fire as Arm Exports to Gulf Nations Triple

Germany recently came under an avalanche of criticism over a multi-billion dollar arms deals it sealed with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations who also have a questionable human rights record. Activists also claim German-made small arms, ammunition and military vehicles were commonly used by Middle Eastern and North African regimes to suppress peaceful demonstrations. Adam Coogle from Human Rights Watch says that Germany should give up its business ambitions in the Gulf.

Mass Anti-government Protests Shake Bahrain on Independence Day

Police in Bahrain have fired tear gas and birdshot at protesters. This, however, could be just the start, as the Gulf nation's authorities prepare for a major crackdown on dissent. Wednesday marks the country's 42-nd anniversary of independence from Britain and exactly two and a half years since the current wave of unrest began.

Bahrain Warns Protesters They Will Be Met With Force

THE GUARDIAN: Democracy activists planning to mark anniversary of failed Pearl revolution of 2011 face violence from government troops

Bahrain's government has vowed to forcefully confront demonstrators who are planning to take to the streets on Wednesday, to demand political change after the failed "Pearl revolution" near the start of the Arab spring, in 2011.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the prime minister, issued the warning as democracy activists reported intensifying security measures, arrests and intimidation designed to forestall new protests.

"The government will forcefully confront suspect calls to violate law and order and those who stand behind them through decisive measures," the official Bahrain news agency quoted him as saying.

Emergency decrees have banned demonstrations in Manama, the capital, and imposed other new restrictions on dissent and freedom of expression. » | Ian Black, Middle East editor | Tuesday, August 13, 2013

'Force Only Tool Left for Bahrain Régime, Opposition Has to Act'

Opposition groups in Bahrain have called on the government to allow a major demonstration calling for greater freedoms, which is planned for next month. The Gulf state's been seeing violence for more than two years now, with thousands of anti-regime protesters clashing with police on a daily basis. Let's go to Saeed al-Shehabi - London-based activist from the Bahrain Freedom Movement.

Bahraini Protesters Clash with Police
Thousands rally in village of Diraz to demonstrate against a raid last week on a top Shia cleric's home.

Großbritanniens Beziehungen zu Bahrain: Die Windsors und der Despot vom Golf

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Während in Bahrain die Proteste gegen das Regime anhalten, lässt sich König Hamad in Großbritannien hofieren. Der Monarch ist seit Jahren eng mit Prinz Charles befreundet und war erst am Wochenende Ehrengast von Queen Elizabeth. Proteste ignorieren die Windsors.

Hamburg - Die "Royal Windsor Horse Show" ist einer der alljährlichen Höhepunkte im Kalender der britischen Oberschicht. Die Reitwettkämpfe im Garten von Schloss Windsor locken in jedem Frühjahr Tausende Schaulustige an.

Bei der diesjährigen Ausgabe am vergangenen Wochenende hatten illustre Gäste vom Persischen Golf den besten Blick auf Ross und Reiter: Zur Rechten von Queen Elizabeth II. durfte König Hamad Bin Issa Al Chalifa von Bahrain in der royalen Loge Platz nehmen. Der Potentat aus dem Golfstaat war Ehrengast bei der 70. Auflage des Reitturniers. Und er wusste sich zu revanchieren: Als Gastgeschenk brachte Hamad der Monarchin zwei reinrassige Araberhengste mit. Der Wert eines solch edlen Pferdes wird auf mehrere zehntausend Euro geschätzt.

Die Queen hofierte einen Mann, der Massenproteste seit zwei Jahren mit Hilfe aus Saudi-Arabien niederknüppeln und niederschießen lässt. Nach Angaben des oppositionellen Zentrums für Menschenrechte sind bei Zusammenstößen zwischen Sicherheitskräften und Demonstranten seitBeginn des Aufstands im Februar 2011 mindestens 90 Menschen getötet worden, mindestens 2000 weitere wurden verletzt. Mehrere hundert Oppositionelle sitzen noch immer in Haft. Freigelassene Aktivisten berichten, dass Folter und Misshandlungen in Bahrains Gefängnissen an der Tagesordnung sind. » | Von Christoph Sydow | Mittwoch, 15. Mai 2013

Formula One Race Rage: Bahrain Police Use Teargas in Clashes with Protesters
Tensions are high in Bahrain ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix but not in anticipation of a dramatic race. Tens of thousands of pro-reform protesters across the country are furious at the government hosting a major sports event despite the kingdom's poor human rights record.

Rioters Fire Rockets at Police in Bid to Derail Bahrain Grand Prix
Amateur video shows anti-government protesters clash with police in Manama as thousands riot ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday.

Read the short article here | Sunday, April 21, 2013

'I Was Sexually Assaulted & Tortured to Extract False Confession' - Bahraini Medic
In Bahrain, 21 doctors have been cleared of involvement in illegal anti-government protests. The medics have spent more than a year and a half behind bars, for as they say treating injured demonstrators. Dozens of health workers along with opposition activists have been arrested and charged, since the uprising began more than two years ago. Doctor Fatima Haji faced similar charges to the acquitted medics, and she told RT what she had to go through during her confinement.

Row over Renaming of Sandhurst Hall after Bahrain Donation
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A Sandhurst tribute to the fallen of a First World War battle has been abandoned so a donation from the King of Bahrain can be honoured.

Mons Hall, named after the 1914 battle that saw thousands killed, will be renamed the King Hamad Hall after he gave £3 million towards its refurbishment.

Defence chiefs were yesterday accused of betraying the memory of soldiers who gave their lives for their country.

MPs also questioned the ethics of honouring regimes that have dubious human rights records.

It emerged an accommodation block at the Army officer training academy has also been named after the first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a £15 million donation from the country.

Andy Slaughter, Labour’s chairman of the Democracy In Bahrain all-party parliamentary group, said: “To change the name of something which commemorates a very tragic episode in British military history and an example of courage and heroism of British soldiers simply because they’re getting a sum of money from a rather dubious source is appalling.

“It reflects the appalling double standards the British Government and institutions have in relation to the Bahraini regime, which is guilty of all sorts of human rights abuses and fundamentally undemocratic.’

The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War. » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Sunday, February 17, 2013

Kim Kardashian Shakes Bahrain

CNN – BLOGS – INSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST: American reality TV star and all-around celebrity Kim Kardashian can't seem to please anyone in the Middle East these days.

Weeks after a causing outrage on Twitter with her comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, her appearance in the Gulf Kindgom of Bahrain yesterday to open a branch of a milkshake franchise literally caused a riot.

While throngs of adoring fans paid up to $1,200 to attend her appearance at a mall, about 100 hardline Islamists took to the streets outside in protest where, according to reports, police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

One protestor held a particularly crude banner that read "Syria receives martyrs while Bahrain receives whores." » | IME | Sunday, December 02, 2012