Bahrain’s king announced on Wednesday that an independent commission will be formed to investigate possible rights violations during recent anti-regime protests. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s said in a televised speech to the nation that despite an international outcry over a crackdown by the government, Bahraini leaders respect human rights and want reform. But […]
Bahrain Forms Commission to Investigate Rights Violations
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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Saudi Plans Troop Reduction in Bahrain
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia plans to withdraw some of its 1,000 soldiers who entered Bahrain in mid-March to help the Gulf island bring calm amid anti-government demonstrations. Media reports from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday say the pullout will begin next week, but do not specify how many troops will leave. Bahrain is connected to Saudi […]
Bahrain Rulers Vow to Start National Dialogue Saturday
Posted June 27th, 2011 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
Bahrain’s minority Sunni rulers say they will begin a national dialogue on Saturday on political reform demands of majority Shi’ites who led mass pro-democracy protests earlier this year. The Bahraini government announced the date for the talks Monday, saying they will cover issues of politics, the economy and human rights. But, the island nation’s largest […]
UN Slams Bahrain on Activist Court Sentences
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Human Rights office Friday slammed the life sentences given to eight prominent Shi’ite activists, saying the convictions reflect marks of “political persecution.’ United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is writing Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to air her concerns. A special court in Bahrain on Wednesday sentenced the […]
Bahraini Court Hands Life Sentences to 8 Shi’ite Opposition Activists
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 4:15 pm (UTC-5)
A special court in Bahrain has sentenced eight Shi’ite opposition activists to life in prison for plotting to overthrow the minority Sunni-led government during a protest movement earlier this year. The activists handed life terms on Wednesday include the head of the Shi’ite opposition Haq party, Hassan Mushaima, Haq member Abdul Jalil Singace and the […]
Bahrain Gives Life Sentences to 8 Shi’ite Activists
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
A special court in Bahrain has sentenced eight Shi’ite activists to life in prison on charges of plotting to overthrow the government following opposition protests earlier this year. A total of 21 people were on trial, and the sentences handed down Wednesday include a life term for prominent Shi’ite political leader Hassan Mushaima, and a […]
Bahrain Gives Life Sentences to 8 Shi’ite Activists
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
A special court in Bahrain has sentenced eight Shi’ite activists to life in prison on charges of plotting to overthrow the government following opposition protests earlier this year. A total of 21 people were on trial, and the sentences handed down Wednesday include a life term for prominent Shi’ite political leader Hassan Mushaima, and a […]
Bahrain Shi’ite Cleric Slams Reform Efforts as Cosmetic
Posted June 17th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Bahrain’s leading Shi’ite cleric on Friday slammed the Gulf kingdom’s leaders for a continuing crackdown on dissent and called the rulers’ reform efforts “cosmetic.” The Friday sermon outside the capital, Manama, by Sheik Isa Qassim is the latest rumbling from the Shi’ite majority against Bahrain’s minority Sunni group which runs the country. Shi’ites make up […]
Trial of Journalists Continues in Bahrain
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
A Bahrain court will allow four journalists accused of publishing false stories about the kingdom’s anti-government crackdown to call witnesses in their trial. The court made its decision at a Wednesday hearing for former editor-in-chief Mansoor al-Jamri and three other journalists who worked for al-Wasat, one of the kingdom’s leading independent newspapers. One journalist is […]
Rights Groups Urge Bahrain to Stop Military Trials
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 8:35 pm (UTC-5)
International rights groups are urging Bahrain to stop all proceedings before a special military tribunal amid allegations the proceedings are politically motivated and defendants arrested during anti-government protests were tortured. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Tuesday most of the court’s convictions are for “blatantly political charges” such as participating in unauthorized demonstrations and “incitement of […]
