DOCSLIB.ORG

Bahrain Tier 2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bahrain Tier 2 BAHRAIN TIER 2 KEY FINDINGS In 2017, the Bahraini government made a concerted effort to pro- Shi’a clerics access to specific mosques and banned others from mote religious freedom, interfaith understanding, and peaceful conducting Friday prayers, sermons, and other religious services. coexistence, including by King Hamad bin Al Khalifa issuing the Discrimination against Shi’a Muslims in government employment Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration and announcing the establish- and some public and social services continued. Also, during the ment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Inter-Faith Dialogue reporting period, Iranian government support for subversive and Peaceful Co-Existence. In addition, non-Muslim religious activity by Shi’a militant groups in Bahrain increased. In 2017, communities continued to be able to freely practice their faith, the government made some progress in redressing past abuses both publicly and privately. Nevertheless, religious freedom against Shi’a Muslims but backtracked on other recommenda- conditions did not improve for the majority Shi’a Muslim com- tions it had made progress on from the 2011 report of the Bahrain munity amid an ongoing stifling of dissent and a deterioration of Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). As a consequence human rights conditions generally. While Shi’a religious leaders of developments in 2017, in 2018 USCIRF—for the second year were not targeted in 2017 as they had been during the summer in a row—places Bahrain on its Tier 2 for engaging in or toler- of 2016, a significant crackdown in May 2017 resulted in the ating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the deaths of five Shi’a Muslim demonstrators, injuries to dozens, elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious” standard for and the arrests and detentions of civilians and religious leaders. designation as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under In addition, during the year, authorities continued to deny some the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT • Encourage the Bahraini government to family, human rights monitors, prosecutors, and judges, to better to address religious freedom concerns adequate medical care, lawyers, and address sectarian violence and incite- both privately and publicly, and report the ability to practice their faith; ment through practices consistent with openly on the government’s success or • Apply the Global Magnitsky Human international human rights standards; failure to implement genuine reforms, Rights Accountability Act, Executive • Include Bahraini civil society and including by making public an annual Order 13818, or other relevant tar- religious leaders in exchange and U.S. assessment of Bahrain’s progress, or geted tools, to deny U.S. visas to and visitor programs that promote religious lack thereof, on implementing BICI block the U.S. assets of specific officials tolerance, interreligious understand- recommendations; and agencies identified as responsible ing, and interfaith dialogue; • Urge the Bahraini government to for violations of the right to freedom of • Urge the Bahraini government to pass continue to make progress in imple- religion or belief; a law in the Shura Council addressing menting the BICI recommendations, • Ensure clear and consistent messaging incitement to violence in the media, including those related to freedom of at all levels of the U.S. government ensuring compliance with international religion and belief, sectarian incite- regarding Bahrain’s human rights and human rights standards; and ment, and accountability for past religious freedom obligations under • Urge the Bahraini government to abuses against the Shi’a community; international law; cooperate fully with international • Press for at the highest levels and work • Increase support for rule of law, com- mechanisms on human rights issues, to secure the unconditional release of munity policing, and countering violent including by inviting visits from the prisoners of conscience and religious extremism programs; United Nations (UN) Special Rappor- freedom advocates, and press the • Assist in the training of government teur on freedom of religion or belief. country’s government to treat prison- entities, including security officials, ers humanely and allow them access USCIRF | ANNUAL REPORT 2018 TIER 2 TIER BAHRAIN COUNTRY FACTS FULL NAME RELIGIOUS DEMOGRAPHY* Kingdom of Bahrain 70.3% Muslim (60% Shi’a, 35–40% Sunni) 14.5% Christian GOVERNMENT 9.8% Hindu Constitutional Monarchy 2.5% Buddhist POPULATION 0.6% Jewish 1,410,942 <0.1% Folk religion 1.9% Unaffiliated GOVERNMENT-RECOGNIZED RELIGIONS/FAITHS 0.2% Other (including Sikhs and Baha’is) Registered religious organizations represent Sunni and Shi’a Islam, as well as Christianity (including Catholic, Evangelical, Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Syrian Orthodox, Malan- kara Orthodox, and Indian Orthodox churches), Hinduism, *Estimates compiled from the U.S. Department of State and the Baha’i faith, Buddhism, and Judaism CIA World Factbook BACKGROUND defender Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to two years According to the Bahraini constitution, Islam is the in prison for criticizing the government in a tweet; in religion of the state and Shari’ah is a principal source February 2018, after the end of the reporting period, for legislation. The constitution provides for freedom Rajab was sentenced to an additional five years in prison of conscience, the inviolability of places of worship, for tweets criticizing alleged abuses by authorities in and freedom to perform religious rites. Of the country’s Bahraini prisons and the conflict in Yemen. In Septem- population of approximately 1.4 million, slightly less ber 2017, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid than half are Bahraini citizens, with a slight majority Ra’ad Al Hussein stated that “democratic space in the comprising expatriate workers, primarily from South country has essentially been shut down” and that since and Southeast Asia. June 2016, Bahraini authorities have imposed “severe During the past year, the overall human rights restrictions on civil society and political activism situation continued to decline. In June 2017, authorities through arrests, intimidation, travel bans and closure shut down the sole remaining independent news site, Al orders.” The Bahraini government contends that those Wasat, which reported on issues affecting the major- arrested and charged breached public order laws during ity Shi’a community, reportedly for “creating discord” authorized processions or protests, in some cases carry- and damaging Bahrain’s relations with other coun- ing weapons. Bahraini and international human rights tries. In May, the government suspended indefinitely groups, the UN, and the State Department dispute this. the last major political opposition entity, the National Furthermore, in 2017, Bahraini authorities cited Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad), for criticizing the increased efforts by Iran to expand its influence in the execution of three Bahrainis in January 2017. In addi- country as the reason for heightened government con- tion, prominent human rights defenders and members cern about subversive activity by Iranian-backed Shi’a of outlawed political opposition groups were sentenced militants. While Iran’s support for such activities in to prison during the year or continued to serve lengthy Bahrain has been documented more widely during the terms. For example, in July 2017, noted human rights past year, the Bahraini government sometimes used this pretext to crack down on some Shi’a opposition USCIRF | ANNUAL REPORT 2018 TIER 2 TIER BAHRAIN leaders, clerics, and activists without substantiating interference. Nevertheless, over the past two years, subversion or criminal activity; such rhetoric and authorities increasingly have targeted religious lead- actions also exacerbated sectarian tensions in the ers and some religious activities while clamping down country. Most Bahraini Shi’a clerics deny any subver- on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. sive relationship with Iran and state their primary tie In response to concerns about the negative effect on with the country is having acquired religious training religious freedom conditions, Bahraini officials argue in Qom, Iran, the largest center for Shi’a religious study that religious freedom is not being violated, but rather in the world. that opposition groups and activists are causing In October 2017, USCIRF staff and representatives of political and security problems by violating laws or the International Religious Freedom Office at the State creating discord. Department traveled jointly to Bahrain. In March 2018, after the end of the reporting period, USCIRF Commis- Non-Muslim Religious sioners and staff traveled to Bahrain to assess religious Minority Communities freedom conditions and meet with Bahraini govern- Approximately half of the expatriate workers in the ment officials, the government-appointed National country are non-Muslim. The government officially Institution for Human Rights, the U.S. Ambassador and recognizes 19 religious entities, including more than other embassy officials, lawyers, and representatives of a dozen Christian denominations, a tiny Jewish com- civil society and religious communities. munity, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Baha’is. The various communities reported the ability to publicly and RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CONDITIONS 2017 privately practice their faiths without interference or Positive Developments and limitation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bahrain: Risk of Blackout on Human Rights Violations
    www.fidh.org Bahrain 1 April 2011 Bahrain: risk of blackout on human rights violations The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) strongly condemns the serious human rights violations that have been committed in Bahrain since February 14, 2011, and expresses its deepest concerns regarding the latest developments in the country. According to the information collected by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), an FIDH member organisation, at least 26 people died and more than 200 individuals (click here to access the lists), including doctors, teachers, unionists and human rights defenders have been detained since the beginning of the repression led by security forces against peaceful protesters who are demanding democracy and respect for human rights in the country. In addition to the continuation of killings, arrests and acts of repression and intimidation against people considered as opponents or linked to the opposition movement, FIDH is worried about measures aiming at silencing those who dare to speak out about the repression. On March 29, 2011 two journalists from CNN were arrested while they were interviewing Nabeel Rajab, President of the BCHR at his home. They remained in detention for 4 hours. This event occured following a decree issued on March 28 by the Military General Prosecutor -Decision No.5 of 2011- imposing a ban on any publications dealing with the ongoing investigation conducted by the military prosecutor, under the State of National Safety. FIDH fears that this decree could be used to strictly limit the freedoms of expression and of the media and contribute to a blackout on human rights violations in Bahrain.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East
    The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East Sima Shine 2QHRIWKHGH¿QLQJFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIWKH0LGGOH(DVWRIUHFHQW\HDUVKDV been the worsening crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the efforts on both sides to consolidate regional coalitions in order to increase their regional LQÀXHQFH2YHUWKHODVWGHFDGHWKHUHJLRQZLWQHVVHGDVHULHVRIGUDPDWLF developments, caused by both endogenous and exogenous factors, while in the background the Saudi-led Sunni axis and the Iran-led Shiite axis took shape. On the one hand, the region saw the collapse of some Arab states as a result of their populations’ pent-up disappointment with the oppressive regimes that were unable to meet civilian needs. This development, along with the failure of secular pan-Arabism, paved the way for the rise of political Islam and the return of religion – in itself fertile ground for factionalism and sectarianism – to the region’s political arena. The strengthening of the Sunni sector, which lacked a universally recognized spiritual-religious center, HQDEOHGWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIDUDQJHRI6XQQLJURXSVZKRDUHQRZ¿JKWLQJ each other while exploiting the disintegration of some state frameworks, and QXUWXULQJWKH6XQQL6KLLWHFRQÀLFW2QWKHRWKHUKDQGWKH$PHULFDQLQYDVLRQ RI,UDTWKHUHPRYDORI6DGGDP+XVVHLQ¶V6XQQLUHJLPHDQGWKHULVHRIWKH 6KLLWHPDMRULW\OHGWRWKH¿UVWHYHU6KLLWHUHJLPHLQDQ$UDEFRXQWU\DQG paved the way for Iran’s massive entry to the arena. This is how the “Shiite FUHVFHQW´FRPSULVLQJ,UDQ,UDT6\ULDDQG/HEDQRQZDVIRUPHG7KHZDU in Yemen, in which Iran is aiding the Shiite-allied Houthis, strengthened WKHLPDJHRIWKHVSUHDGRI,UDQLDQLQÀXHQFHIURPWKH*XOIDQGWKH6WUDLWRI Hormuz to the Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. 141 Sima Shine At the heart of the rising tension and rivalry is the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has known many ups and downs in the almost four decades since the Islamic Revolution in Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini’s blunt statement that the House of Saud must be overthrown.
    [Show full text]
  • The UK's Relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
    House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee The UK’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Fifth Report of Session 2013–14 Volume II Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published 12 November 2013 Published on 22 November 2013 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its associated agencies. Current membership Rt Hon Richard Ottaway (Conservative, Croydon South) (Chair) Mr John Baron (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife) Rt Hon Ann Clwyd (Labour, Cynon Valley) Mike Gapes (Labour/Co-op, Ilford South) Mark Hendrick (Labour/Co-op, Preston) Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Andrew Rosindell (Conservative, Romford) Mr Frank Roy (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw) Rt Hon Sir John Stanley (Conservative, Tonbridge and Malling) Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the parliament: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (Labour, Coventry North East) Emma Reynolds (Labour, Wolverhampton North East) Mr Dave Watts (Labour, St Helens North) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including news items) are on the internet at www.parliament.uk/facom.
    [Show full text]
  • Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission U.S. Congress Hearing
    Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission U.S. Congress Hearing: “Implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Report” August 01, 2012 Statement by Amnesty International USA Amnesty International USA welcomes this opportunity to address the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on the important subject of human rights in Bahrain. We believe that the U.S. Congress has a crucial role to play in supporting human rights and accountability for the people of Bahrain. Amnesty International’s vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights standards. For more than 50 years, Amnesty International has been helping to build a world where human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Today in Bahrain, repression of freedom of expression is continuing with impunity. Despite government promises to introduce reforms following its violent crackdown on protesters in 2011, few improvements have been seen on the ground. The Government of Bahrain is refusing to release scores of prisoners who are incarcerated simply because they exercised their rights to freedom of expression and association. Indeed, Bahrain’s government has sentenced and imprisoned a number of nonviolent critics and activists, making them prisoners of conscience. In her testimony to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo stated, “All charges against protestors relating to freedom of speech have been dropped.” Unfortunately, the Government of Bahrain continues to use criminal charges to persecute individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression. Bahraini authorities have charged, convicted, and imprisoned peaceful protestors following nonviolent criticisms of the government.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14Th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory
    Science Arena Publications Specialty Journal of Politics and Law ISSN: 2520-3282 Available online at www.sciarena.com 2018, Vol, 3 (4): 62-78 A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory Ehsan Bagheri Dana1, Alireza Beygi1, Peyman Hassani2* 1 Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran, 2 Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran. *Corresponding Author Abstract: The comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement as two Islamic countries which have been highly affected by each other in various fields is of great importance. By adapting the most critical Western ideas about the Islamic Revolution of Iran and analyzing its similarities and differences with Bahrain's February 14th movement, some of their most significant similarities and differences can be found. The " Goldstone's fourth generation " theory, which was presented as one of the late theories in the cause of the revolution, was evaluated by some scholars of the Islamic revolution in Iran and is still under investigation. The present study aimed at explaining the similarities and differences between the two events and evaluate the influence Bahrain’s movement from the Islamic Revolution of Iran through the comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement based on Goldstone's fourth generation theory. The findings of this study which were obtained based on a descriptive- analytical method and collection of sources based on the library and interviews with elite indicated that the Bahrain’s system in Bahrain's February 14th movement attempted to deny the effect of the Iranian revolution on Bahrain and introduce Bahrain's developments due to religious differences between Shiite and Sunni.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain: Grave Concern for Human Rights Defenders
    www.fidh.org Bahrain 11 April 2011 Bahrain: Grave concern for human rights defenders The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), expresses its deep concern following the recent intensification of the criminalisation of human rights defenders in Bahrain. Indeed, during the weekend, Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former MENA Director at Front Line and former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), was arrested and beaten at his house, and Mr. Nabeel Rajab, BCHR President and Deputy Secretary General of FIDH, was informed that a criminal investigation had been opened against him. On April 9, 2011, Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who has been organising peaceful awareness-raising and human rights education activities for protesters in the recent weeks, was arrested at his daughter's house, along with two of his sons-in-law, Messrs. Wafi Almajid and Hussein Ahmed, by masked policemen who forced entry to the building. The three men, and Mr. Al-Khawaja in particular, were severely beaten up before being taken to an unknown destination. Moreover, Mr. Mohammad Al-Maskati, another Mr. Al-Khawaja's son-in-law as well as President of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYHRS), who has been monitoring human rights violations committed since the protest movement began, and who was also present in the house, was severely beaten during the raid but not arrested. On April 10, the Bahraini authorities wrote on twitter: "Al-Khawaja was arrested for charges to be brought against him legally.
    [Show full text]
  • Nabeel Rajab Global Week of Action Witness Bahrain, in Collaboration
    888 16th Street NW, Suite 800 • Washington, D.C. 20006 • (202) 650-5530 • www.adhrb.org • @ADHRB Nabeel Rajab Global Week of Action Witness Bahrain, in collaboration with the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), announced the launch of a Global Week of Action today in support of a call for the immediate release of Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab. The week of action, which runs from March 21 to 28, asks supporters to support the call for Mr. Rajab’s release. Mr. Rajab is currently serving a two-year prison sentence for allegedly calling for “illegal gatherings.” Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) applauds the launch of the week of action, and calls upon the Government of Bahrain to immediately release all prisoners of conscience. Nabeel Rajab has long been recognized as a dynamic human rights activist. Rajab has worked with international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Federation for Human Rights. In 2002, Rajab helped found the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) with fellow human rights activist and prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO). He has received several awards in recognition of his human rights work, including the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the British Silbury Prize. Throughout the unrest in Bahrain, Rajab has been an outspoken critic of the Bahrain government and its abuse of protesters and opposition leaders. As president of BCHR, Rajab participated in protests and documented countless human rights violations.
    [Show full text]
  • Open Letter to Bahraini Authorities: Drop All Charges and Release Nabeel Rajab - IFEX 18/12/2018 12:42
    Open letter to Bahraini authorities: Drop all charges and release Nabeel Rajab - IFEX 18/12/2018 12:42 Open letter to Bahraini authorities: Drop all charges and release Nabeel Rajab NGOs are concerned that, with Nabeel Rajab's appeal hearing scheduled on 31 December, authorities may be planning to increase his sentence under cover of the world's celebrations of the new year. عربي :Bahrain Center for Human Rights (http://www.bahrainrights.org ) 16 December 2018 Also available in (/bahrain/2018/12/16/nabeel-urgent-appeal/ar/) We the undersigned call on Bahraini authorities to release Nabeel Rajab (https://ifex.org/bahrain/2016/08/26/nabeel_rajab_profile/) immediately, to repeal his convictions and sentences, and drop all charges against him. On 31 December 2018 the Court of Cassation in Bahrain may issue its verdict in the appeal of the five-year prison sentence (https://ifex.org/bahrain/2018/02/26/nabeel-5-year-sentence/) handed to him for peaceful comments posted and retweeted on his Twitter account about the killing of civilians in the Yemen conflict by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, and allegations of torture in Jau prison. We are concerned that the authorities intend to increase Rajab's prison sentence unopposed, by setting 31 December as the date for a hearing and possible issuing of a verdict, while most Bahrainis and people around the globe will be focused on year-end celebrations. This is not an idle concern, as, opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman was arrested on 28 December 2014 and subsequently convicted and sentenced to four years in jail following an unfair trial.
    [Show full text]
  • Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain
    Issue #2 September 2016 Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain Enclosed a report on the 33rd session of the Human Rights council 400 Students Remain Detained with Launch of Academic Year The founder and president of the Bahrain Teach- ers’ Association (BTA), and assistant Secretary General of the Arab Teachers Union, Mahdi Abu Deeb, said on his Twitter account, “while students wear their school costumes, carry their school bags and go to their schools, there are 400 stu- dents that are detained and deprived from the right to education.” He, also, confirmed that it is the government’s full responsibility to overcome all hardships for the sake of the right to education, rath- er than create hardships. Therefore, “each detained student is in their protection as long as they are detained.” Mahdi Abu Deeb A Bahraini Boy Kept in Solitary Confinement On Sunday (September 4, 2016) Mostafa al-Motgha- wi (16 years old), the brother of the activist Ahmad al-Motghawi, received a summon to be present for interrogation at the Budaiya Police Station where he was arrested and kept in custody in the following day over charges of demonstrating in Duraz. On Wednes- day (September 7, 2016), Mostafa was transferred to the criminal investigations department building, despite the prosecutions’ deci- sion to release him. His lawyer and family members Mostafa al-Motghawi were not allowed to visit him. On Sunday (September 18, 2016), the tion. Bahraini authorities released Mostafa The two boys face charges related 12 days following his arrest. to taking part in Duraz protest that In a similar move, the authorities de- has being ongoing since over 90 days cided to detain boy Ali Mohammad Al- against revoking the citizenship of Aya- Moamen for 7 days pending investiga- tollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2, 2008
    January 7, 2019 Timothy A Lenderking Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs United States Department of State 2201 C Street, NW, Room 6242 Washington, DC 20520 Re: Human Rights Issues for Secretary of State Pompeo to Raise During Trip to the Middle East Dear Mr. Lenderking; On behalf of Amnesty International USA (“AIUSA”), and our more than seven million members and supporters worldwide, I am writing to urge you to have Secretary of State Michael Pompeo raise the following human rights issue during his trip to the Middle East. This trip presents an opportunity for the United States to articulate a Middle East policy that is built on universal values and rights for everyone. AI’s top concerns relate to the escalating detention, harassment, and violence against human rights defenders (HRDs) in the region. We recommend that Secretary Pompeo raise the following crucial human rights issues at every strategic opportunity and meetings whether they be public or private. AIUSA is greatly concerned about the escalating detention, harassment, and violence against the human rights defenders in the Middle East, particularly in Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. We know from accounts by many former prisoners of conscience that they were released because of interventions by high level U.S. government officials. AIUSA urges you to raise these HRD cases in meetings with the heads of state. AIUSA is calling for the following human rights defenders to be immediately and unconditionally released in accordance with international human rights law. In addition, authorities should drop all politically-motivated criminal charges and halt the violence and harassment against the HRDs.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran's Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain
    41 Dirasat Iran’s Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 Mitchell Belfer - Khalid Alshaikh Iran’s Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain Mitchell Belfer - Khalid Alshaikh 4 Dirasat No. 41 Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 © King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, 2019 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-In-Publication Data Alshaikh, Khalid - Belfer, Mitchell Irans Clandestine War the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of. / Alshaikh, Khalid - Belfer, Mitchell . - Riyadh , 2019 (دراسات ؛ p ; 23 x 16.5 cm . - ( 41 32 ISBN: 978-603-8268-00-1 1 - Iraq - Foreign relations 2- Bahrain I - Title II-Series 327.537055 dc 1440/3856 L.D. no. 1440/3856 ISBN: 978-603-8268-00-1 Table of Contents Abstract 6 Introduction and Overview 7 Saraya al Ashtar (SaA) 9 The Al-Wafa Islamic Movement and the SaA 13 The Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain (MWHB) 19 Some Impacts to Consider 24 Constraining the Iranian Threat 26 Conclusion 28 5 6 Dirasat No. 41 Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 Abstract The 1979 Iranian revolution continues to reverberate throughout the Middle East. While many of the more pronounced Iranian proxies, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Houthi militia in Yemen, are the focus of a wide assortment of terror-state explorations, it is important to look at some of the other organizations that Tehran utilizes in pursuit of its regional and international interests.
    [Show full text]
  • Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Testimony Regarding Nabeel Rajab I Am
    Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Testimony Regarding Nabeel Rajab I am honored to speak today on behalf of Nabeel Rajab, a human rights defender who has been imprisoned in Bahrain since July 2012. There was a time when no one could have predicted that Nabeel was to become a prisoner of conscience, a victim of the Bahraini government’s determination to suppress all dissent. Nabeel was born in 1964 to a prosperous family that enjoyed good relations with Bahrain’s ruling family. In his early adulthood, Nabeel was an entrepreneur, operating a variety of small businesses, while also marrying and having two children. However, the pursuit of profits was not Nabeel’s true calling. Rather, Nabeel began to work on human rights matters in the 1990s, inspired by political unrest and systematic human rights abuses that were prevalent in Bahrain at that time. After King Hamad announced reforms which, among other things, allowed civil society groups to form, Nabeel co-founded the Bahrain Center for Human Rights in 2002, which addresses issues from torture to extra-judicial killing to the abuse of migrant workers. Displeased with the Center’s activities, the Bahraini government officially disbanded it in 2004. Nonetheless, Nabeel ensured that the Center continued to function, most critically since February 2011, when massive pro-democracy protests erupted in Bahrain. The government met these protests by shooting and killing peaceful demonstrators, beating detainees to death, and engaging in large-scale political prosecutions. These crimes were detailed in the report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which King Hamad had charged with investigating such matters.
    [Show full text]