Bahrain Cracks Down on Shiite Opposition
August 31, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On August 30, the New York Times reported that Shiite opposition leader Abduljalil al-Singace was charged by a Bahraini court with attempting to overthrow the government.  Singace was arrested on August 13 as part of what the Sunni minority government has described as an ongoing counterterrorism operation.  Days prior to the report, in a separate article, the New York Times reported that there has been a widespread crackdown on Shiite activists in Bahrain. 

According to human rights groups, the Bahraini government has detained approximately 230 people in connection with Shiite activism.  This crackdown comes just months ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled to take place in October, where it is predicted that the opposing Sunnis could lose some of their current seats to Shiite candidates.

Additionally, Gulf News reported that Bahrain’s public prosecutor, Dr. Ali Al Buainain, has issued a gag order against media coverage of all new stories pertaining to the crackdown on Shiite activists.  Speaking on the media ban, an official with the prosecutor’s office stated, “No details or hints about the investigations should be published and violators of the gag will be imprisoned for up to one year or fined.  The only exception is the statements issued by the public prosecutor.”  According to Bahraini law, independent journalists are allowed to publish new stories – but they do so at the risk of being sentenced to jail terms for insulting the king and other similar offenses.  Current media statistics show that the majority of Bahraini press outlets are state owned and operated.

Bahrain, which is a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislative assembly, gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971.  The current king, Sheik Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa – who took power in 1999 – created the country’s parliament and renounced the practice of torture.  The country has been ruled by the Khalifah family since 1783. 

On September 5, Bahrani officials announced they were going to charge a total of 23 people with attempting to overthrow the country’s current Sunni government.  The New York Times reported that a majority of the individuals being charged are activists from the Shiite majority.  Bahrani prosecutors have stated that many of the accused are members of a terrorist network.  According to Shiite leaders, the arrests are a way for the government to suppress Shiite voter turnout ahead of the October parliamentary election.

Sources:
New York Times - Crackdown in Bahrain Hints of End to Reforms

New York Times - Bahrain: Opposition Leader Charged With Trying to Overthrow Government

Associated Press - Bahrain bans reporting on held Shiite activists

Gulf News - Bahrain imposes gag order on media coverage of terror network

New York Times - 23 Accused of Coup Plot in Bahrain

Also See:
CIA World Factbook: Bahrain

BBC Country Profile: Bahrain

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