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Bahrain Weekly – March 14: Protests Emerge on Anniversary Of Bahrain Weekly – March 14: Protests Emerge on Anniversary of Saudi Intervention; Crown Prince Appointed Deputy Prime Minister; Two Police Officers Convicted for Torture Headlines • Protests Emerge on Anniversary of Saudi Intervention • Crown Prince Appointed Deputy Prime Minister • Two Police Officers Convicted for Torture • Six Arrested for Twitter “Defamation” of King • Wehrey: U.S. Should “Tread Cautiously” in Defense Relationship with Bahrain Updates from Bahrain Protests on Anniversary of Saudi Intervention: Protests have erupted in Bahrain on the second anniversary of the intervention of Saudi forces into the island’s political crisis.There have been reports of police using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse gatherings while some protesters have created road blocks around the cities and others have begun throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. Opposition group al-Wefaq said 35 protesters were wounded in the clashes, including three critically. Protester Ameena Mohamed Hussain said, “This government doesn’t hear our voices and I can’t forgive what the (Gulf) troops did in my country.” On March 14, 2011 Saudi Arabia deployed thousands of troops after weeks of protests. It was the first time the Gulf Cooperation Council had ever used its troops to suppress a popular revolt. Crown Prince Appointed Deputy Prime Minister: Bahrain appointed Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. The Crown Prince is seen by many as a moderate. Sameera Rajab, Bahrain’s information minister, said, “This is pushing new blood into the cabinet, the new generation. I am very happy with the appointment. I think it is good for strong progress and change in Bahrain.” Khalil al-Marzook, a senior member of opposition party al-Wefaq, also expressed support for the appointment. He said, “The challenge (for the Crown Prince) will be to leverage this senior role. Now that he is in the government, we should see his reform agenda in practice rather than in words.” Government Refuses U.N. Presence in Dialogue: The Bahraini government rejected the idea of the U.N. participating in the ongoing National Consensus Dialogue. Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi said, “The National Consensus Dialogue is a Bahraini internal issue and we refuse any external interference.” Six Arrested for Tweets: Bahraini authorities detained six people on charges of misusing Twitter and defaming King Hamad. The families of the detainees stated that security forces searched their homes and confiscated computers and phones. Nayef Yousuf, the head of prosecution, stated that the suspects had been questioned and will remain in custody ahead of being referred to the court. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights called the arrests part of a “security campaign against freedom of opinion and expression.” The arrests coincided with World Day Against Cyber Censorship. Police Sentenced to 10 Years for Torture: A Bahraini court sentenced two police officers to 10 years in prison for fatally beating an anti-government protester during the country’s 2011 uprising. The court found the two guilty of torturing Ali Issa Ibrahim Saqer to death while in custody. Saqer, who died of shock after multiple beatings, was being held on “national security” charges for his participation in anti-government protests. The Interior Ministry alleged he “created chaos” while in custody at the prison, “which led the security forces to bring the situation under control.” The same court cleared the two officers of causing the death of another detainee, Zakaraya Rashed Hassan, a former opposition member of parliament and public critic of the government, who was arrested by masked men in the middle of the night and died in detention a week later due to “complications from sickle cell anemia,” the Interior Ministry reported. Arrested Tweeter Acquitted: Sayed Yousif al-Muhafda was acquitted on charges that he posted false news on Twitter. He was arrested in Manama in December for tweeting a picture of a demonstrator injured during clashes between police and protesters. Brian Dooley of Human Rights First stated, “It’s a great relief that Sayed Yousif was acquitted today, bringing an end to three months of judicial harassment. Let’s hope this means the courts are beginning to show a better understanding of what freedom of expression means.” return to top Analysis & Commentary U.S. Should “Tread Cautiously” in Defense Relationship with Bahrain: Frederic Wehrey discussed the optimism surrounding the appointment of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa to the position of Deputy Prime Minister, saying that those who see hope in the appointment “should be under no illusion about the forces still arrayed against compromise in Bahrain.” “The real test of success will be whether the process can resolve the crucial issues of an empowered parliament, electoral gerrymandering and Shiite participation in government,” he wrote. Speaking on U.S. policy toward Bahrain, Wehrey says, “America needs to tread cautiously in using its defense relationship to nudge the process along,” and argues that “abrupt moves, such as relocating the Fifth Fleet, might further empower hardliners who have long argued that the U.S. is abandoning the country.” Wehrey suggests that the U.S. create contingency plans and consider “a graduated drawdown of U.S. naval assets if real progress is not made.” Fifth Fleet Relationship Considered: Thérèse Postel suggested a change in U.S. policy toward Bahrain in an effort to stop the “brutal repression.” She argues that “Washington could begin planning to move the fleet in order to telegraph our intent to curtail ties with a repressive regime.” She states, “The Obama administration’s muted response stands as in stark contrast to the U.S.’s rhetorical commitment to the Arab uprisings and their democratic promise.” Postel acknowledges that “removing the fleet could anger hardliners in the al-Khalifa regime,” but states that “preparations for such a move will demonstrate to the al-Khalifa regime we expect that meaningful reforms be implemented in Bahrain as soon as possible.” Optimism After Recent Political Developments: Elliott Abrams discussed the appointment of Bahrain’s Crown Prince as Deputy Prime Minister as a cause for optimism. He also mentioned shifts in Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Bahrain, citing reports that the Saudi government is now urging Bahraini leaders to reach a political settlement with the opposition. Abrams called these developments reason to “hope that the Saudi and Bahraini royal families have finally decided to seek a compromise solution.” He urged flexibility among all parties in Bahrain. Abrams also argued that American interests in the Gulf give good reason for U.S. involvement and called for the U.S. to “help Bahrainis take advantage of this moment of opportunity.” return to top International and Bahraini Rights Organizations Bahrain Named an “Enemy of the Internet”: Reporters Without Borders named Bahrain one of 2013’s “Enemies of the Internet,” along with Syria, China, Iran, and Vietnam. In a full report on Bahrain’s internet accessibility, the NGO states that, in Bahrain, “the level of Internet filtering and surveillance is one of the highest in the world.” The report also notes an increase in the surveillance of online activists, dissidents, and journalists. The report also goes into detail about the tactics used by the government and mentions the numerous dissidents who have been jailed or tortured for their actions on the internet..
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