25th July 2013

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Violence could see Bahrain parliament recalled
A large block of Bahraini MPs has demanded King Hamad recall the National Assembly for an urgent session to discuss a "dangerous escalation in violence. Parliament is on summer recess until October but the MPs claim the political turmoil in the country has reached "unprecedented levels" and fear it could affect the Gulf states future economic and social progress if it is not urgently addressed, Gulf Daily News reported. On Wednesday they submitted a letter to parliament chairman Dr Khalifa Al Dhahrani, who passed on the request to the Royal Court. A minimum of 21 MPs are required to recall the assembly during a break and it also must be approved by King Hamad. Read More human rights activists have been specically targeted.

Samantha Power: Human rights advocate no more?

In Bahrain, a popular protest movement seeking democratic reforms and greater respect for human rights began on February 14, 2011. Nearly two-and-ahalf years later, the situation in Bahrain continues to deteriorate. Bahrainis with the courage to openly protest their governments repression face systematic abuses that include arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial execution. Members of the political opposition and

Rather than stand up for the rights of Bahrainis, the Obama administration has done the opposite. In 2011, Congress delayed a planned $53 million arms sale to Bahrain over human rights concerns. The Obama administration resumed arms sales to Bahrain in 2012, using a loophole that allows the executive branch to make arms sales free of congressional oversight when individual sales are under $1 million. Read More