27th December 2011

BAHRAIN MEDIA ROUNDUP

Bahrain police !attack Shia opposition headquarters" - 23/12/11
and demand a neutral hearing.

Bahrain medics recall jail horror 26/12/11

MANAMA Shiite Muslim doctors, out on bail in Bahrain pending retrial for their role in pro-democracy protests, look back with horror at months of torture

"I can't talk," sobbed consultant paediatrician Nader Dawani, recounting how he was forced to stand up for seven days, while being beaten repeatedly, mainly by a female ofcer. Read more

Bahrain security forces have attacked the headquarters of the country's Shia opposition, the group says. Tear gas and rubber bullets were red at protesters at its ofces west of Manama, Al-Wefaq said. More than 40 people died in a crackdown against protesters in Bahrain in the spring. An independent commission concluded "excessive force" was used. Read More

Bahrain regime attacks protesters 26/12/11

Bahraini regime forces have launched fresh attacks on antigovernment protesters in several towns and villages across the country.! On Sunday, demonstrations were held

in the eastern town of Sitra, the northern village of Dair, located on the northern coast of Muharraq Island, and several other areas.! Protesters chanted slogans against the Al Khalifa family and called for freedom and regime change in the country.! Read more

UN rights chief calls on Bahrain to release political prisoners - 27/12/11

Bahrain says to drop free speech cases after protests 24/12/11

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called on authorities in Bahrain to take immediate steps to address the deepening mistrust between the Government and civil society, including by promptly releasing those detained for taking part in peaceful demonstrations. Read more Bahrain said on Saturday it would drop charges against 343 people whose offences were linked to free speech, but the opposition said that was just a portion of those detained on such accusations during pro-democracy protests this year. Read more

Bahrain women take pride in vital protest role - 20/12/11

Women in Bahrain are known to play more of a role in public life than in most neighboring countries. They drive, vote, and some are active in politics. So it was no surprise to nd on arriving here that Bahraini women were also prominent in protests. During a recent demonstration outside the U.N. ofce in Manama, women, most of them wearing black abayas, stood apart from male peers, carrying pictures of men who they say had been tortured and signs asking for global support. Read more