State Dept. Releases International Religious Freedom Reports
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report, stating that "it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Algeria, Bahrain, Civil Society, Egypt, Freedom, Iran, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, US politics
POMED Notes: “Tweeting the Arab Revolution”
On Thursday, the Project on Middle East Political Science held a discussion with Sultan al-Qassemi, a columnist based in the U.A.E., well-known for his tracking of the events of the Arab Spring via Twitter, to explore the powers and pitfalls of social media during revolution. Marc Lynch, Director of the Middle East Studies Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs and author of the blog "Abu Aardvark," introduced al-Qassemi. ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Bahrain, DC Event Notes, Egypt, Freedom, Protests, Technology, Tunisia, UAE
Bahraini Cleric: Protesters Treated as “Enemies of State”
At the funeral of a demonstrator who reportedly suffocated in a cloud of tear gas, Sheik Isa Qassim, a senior cleric in Bahrain, stated that "the regime has designated the section of society asking for rights as enemies ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Featured, Political Parties, Political transition, Protests, Reform, Sectarianism
Rubio: America Must Champion Democracy Abroad
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations delivered a speech Tuesday at the Jesse Helms' Center emphasizing the need for America to "champion the cause of freedom—not only with the power of our example but also ...
September 14, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Iran, Libya, Military, Reform, Syria, US foreign policy
Bahrain: “Crimes Systematically Committed Against Pro-Democracy Citizens”
Brian Murphy of the AP reported that Shiite workers suspected of supporting or participating in the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain continue to be purged. Activists state that 'Hundreds of Shiites - some say thousands - dismissed from jobs ...
September 14, 2011
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Category: Bahrain, Elections, Featured, Freedom, Government, Human Rights
POMED Notes: “The Arab Uprisings and the United Nations”
On Tuesday, the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and the National Security Network (NSN) hosted a panel discussion with Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, Geneive Abdo, fellow at the Century Foundation and the National Security Network, and Ted Piccone, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. The event was moderated by Heather Hurlburt, executive director at NSN, with a welcome by Stephen McInerney, executive director ...
September 14, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Egypt, Events, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Political transition, Reform, Syria, United Nations, US foreign policy
Bahrain: Pro-Opposition Teachers and Students Targeted
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expressed concern regarding the continued detention of students and teachers. The Bahrain Center reports that many "expelled university students have been summoned for investigation also being dismissed and replaced by unqualified teachers." ...
American Foreign Policy Since 9/11, “Lessons Learned”
In James Traub's latest article "Twilight in Manhattan, Dawn in Tripoli" he reflects on the evolution of American foreign policy in the Middle East from 9/11 onward. Traub states that the United States has learned many lessons since the initial days of invading Afghanistan and Iraq and he reminds his audience that "one thing we have learned is that no matter how bad things are, they can always get worse."With this ...
Washington Post Editorial: Bahrain Needs U.S. Attention Now
An editorial in the Washington Post stated that Bahrain needs the U.S.'s attention now more than ever. "While the popular uprisings in Libya, Syria and Yemen have dominated the news in recent months, far less attention has been ...
Bahraini Medics Released, Charges Still Pending
Twenty Bahraini medics who had been incarcerated for giving medical aid to injured protesters this spring were released from prison, though the charges against them are still pending, according to the state news agency, BNA. The verdict pertaining to ...
September 8, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Featured, Government, Gulf Cooperation Council, Human Rights, International Law, Monarchy, Political Parties, Political transition, Protests
Bahrain: Physicians Released; Clashes, Human Rights Concerns Remain
According to Maryam Al-Khawaja, who leads the Foreign Relations Office at the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, all physicians detained and tried before military court have been released as of Wednesday. Their charges have not been dropped and their verdicts ...
Bahrain: Court Hears Appeals on Protest Sentences
A Bahraini security court heard appeals of 21 activists sentenced this spring after the crackdown on anti-government protests. Two of the activists are prominent opposition figures on hunger strike. The president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, said ...
Bahrain: Prisoners on Hunger Strike Suffer From Deteriorating Health
More detainees are joining a hunger strike to protest ongoing trials from the crackdown on the protests by the Shia majority. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights released a statement highlighting the hunger strike, which now includes 20 doctors who are imprisoned and face anti-state charges linked to the protests against the Sunni dynasty. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights also reported that at least two other activists, Abdul Jalil al-Singace ...
Bahrain: Demonstrations as Protesters March on Pearl Roundabout
According to activists, tens of thousands of people protested in Bahrain's restive city of Sitra in response to the death of a 14-year-old boy, Ali Jawad Ahmad, at the hands of security forces during an anti-government protest on Wednesday. Crowds
September 2, 2011
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Category: Bahrain, Featured, Government, Political transition, Protests, Sectarianism
London-Based Bahraini Group Linked to Iranian Government
The London Evening Standard has reportedly uncovered links between Dr. Saeed Shehabi's London-based group Bahrain Freedom Movement and the Iranian Government. According to the Standard "Dr. Shehabi has made speeches supporting Iranian hardliners and worked for 13 years in offices owned by the government of Iran." These links are troubling as Dr. Shehabi has been as a "credible voice on Bahrain" and even met with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown when ...
Bahrain: 14 Year Old Killed by State Security Forces
On the first day marking the Eid El-Fitr holiday, 14 year old Ali Jawad al-Sheikh was killed when security forces fired tear gas canisters at protesters to disperse them. Ali was struck in the head by a tear gas canister that was fired directly at him by a police officer, and was subsequently taken to the hospital. Human rights activists report that Ali was refused treatment at the hospital and ...
Bahrain: U.N. Shows Concern Over Human Rights Violations
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights released an update on the situation in Bahrain highlighting that there are currently, 264 cases pending before a military trial. Thousands of others individuals are jobless due to accusations that they ...
Bahraini King Pardons Some Protesters, Calls for Unity
Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa announced a pardon for some protesters during a speech to the nation on Sunday. The King said, "there are those who are charged with abusing us and senior officials in Bahrain, we today announce ...