Reporters Without Borders -Press release- 3 July 2008 - BAHRAIN

Press law amendments hailed but journalists still face jail and websites risk closure

Reporters Without Borders has welcomed some amendments to the press law in Bahrain but voiced concern about some remaining failings that leave journalists and publications exposed to risk.

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A GCC labour and passport solution
Published: 30 June 2008 06:42 GMT Author: Edmund O'Sullivan More by this Author Last Updated: 30 June 2008 15:11 Reader Responses

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Bahrain is the only GCC state where nationality is readily given to Arabs with the right qualifications. But it may be time for the rest to follow suit.

22 Jun 2008 12:45:18 GMT
RIYADH, June 22 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has acknowledged it detained eight Bahrainis who local media had said were suspected of spying for Iran, according to a report on Sunday.

Saudi newspapers and news websites had said several Bahrainis were arrested in February near a desert military installation. They claimed to have lost their way.

"The issue is still at the accusation stage and the investigations will reveal the truth," Interior Minister Prince Nayef was quoted as telling reporters in al-Watan daily.

Bahrain speaks out against war on Iran
Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:09am BST
Recasts, adds new Zayani quotes)

By Mark Trevelyan, Security Correspondent

LONDON, June 25 (Reuters) - Bahrain's security would be threatened if international tensions over Iran flared into war and the kingdom wanted to be consulted so that could be prevented, a top official said on Wednesday.

The comments by Bahrain's chief of public security, Major General Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, reflected concern in the small Gulf Arab country, which is ruled by Sunni Muslims but has a majority Shi'ite population.

Bahrain wants early warning of any move on Iran
Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:34pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - International tension over Iran poses a serious threat to Bahrain's security and the Gulf kingdom wants its allies to give it early warning of any planned escalation, its public security chief said on Wednesday.

Major General Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani was apparently referring to the possibility of U.S. military action against Tehran's nuclear program.

Bahrain's Shi'ite Minority Warns of Escalating Sectarian Rift
Written by The Media Line Staff
Published Thursday, June 19, 2008
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The Al-Wifaq National Islamic Society (WNIS), Bahrain's leading Shi'ite movement, on Thursday launched a rally calling for national unity in the face of growing discontent from the Shi'ite minority.

The rally was arranged following mounting sectarian rift between Bahrain's Sunni and Shi'ite citizens.

Bahrain Shiites protest articles on their cleric
1 day ago

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — More than 10,000 Shiites marched Thursday in this tiny Sunni-ruled Gulf country to protest newspaper articles deemed insulting to their top cleric.

The protesters were mostly supporters of the Shiite opposition Al-Wefaq parliamentary bloc, which holds 17 seats in the 40-member assembly. They marched along the highway just outside the capital of Manama, chanting slogans in support of Bahrain's top Shiite cleric, Sheik Isa Qassim. No violence was reported.

Bahrain Shiites protest MP insults to top cleric
1 day ago

MANAMA (AFP) — Tens of thousands of Shiite Bahrainis held a protest on Thursday against remarks deemed offensive made by a Sunni MP against the country's leading Shiite cleric, an AFP correspondent said.

The demonstrators led by Shiite clerics marched peacefully for around two hours in Shiite districts west of Manama holding banners saying: "We don't accept insults" and "the leader is a red line."

James Reinl, United Nations Correspondent

Last Updated: June 10. 2008 10:11PM UAE / June 10. 2008 6:11PM GMT
The skyline of Manama, Bahrain. The Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain was endorsed on Monday by the UN’s civil liberties watchdog, despite continued allegations from groups within the country that the government tolerates abuses against women, migrant workers and activists. Philip Cheung / The National

U.S. Freezes Assets Of Three Gulf Nationals Linked With Terror Activities
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June 6, 2008 7:14 p.m. EST

Sandeep Singh Grewal - AHN Middle East Correspondent
Manama, Bahrain (AHN) - A hardline Sunni movement here has condemned a decision by U.S. authorities to freeze bank accounts of two Bahrainis and one Qatari national. The U.S. Treasury Department has accused the three men of providing financial and logistic support to Al Qaeda.