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Crisis & Post crisis Media in BahrainThe media coverage in Bahrain today is an extension of positions taken during the recent crisis in the country. As such one should speak of ‘medias’ not ‘media’, which in this case can be divided into two kinds which target separate audiences. It is a ‘crisis media’ because since the recent troubles in the country, it has been infected by sectarianism, marginalization, accusations and the harassment of journalists. Media coverage in Bahrain also contains a considerable amount of stereotyping, where the opponent (whether from the opposition or the loyalist camp) is boycotted or ignored in order to contain their dangerous influence on an already sectarianized and politicised mass. more  No Democracy without Human RightsTowards Reforms and ChangeIn 1993, the Declaration and Programme of Action issued by the International Conference on Human Rights recognised the interdependence and mutually reinforcing relationship between democracy, development and human rights. Democracy and human rights are interdependent and reinforce one another. There can be no democracy without respecting the fundamental rights of citizens in accordance to International human rights standards. An increase in human rights violations undermines democracy. more Restoring HopeHasan Moosa Shafaei When he stayed away from the political arena, this was seen as an indication of a political and human rights crisis in the country. But when he re-entered the scene after two years, hope was restored. This sums up what can be said about the appointment of the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa as First Deputy Prime Minister.
The opposition was optimistic and welcomed this step and put forward a number of serious issues for him to resolve. Arab and Western capitals, as well as International human rights figures and bodies welcomed this step, and saw in it a potential solution which can help take Bahrain out of its current crisis along the road towards stability, democracy and peace. It is clear that even ordinary citizens are optimistic and see the Crown Prince as a popular, humble and bold figure, who is capable of making di?ficult decisions and tackling contentious issues with due transparency . more Disappointment over the Outcome of the Visit by HRWHuman Rights Watch’s (HRW) visit to Bahrain in February 2013 and its concluding statement sparked several reactions from the Government, media, Parliament and civil society organisations. The content and language of the statement surprised many and triggered harsh criticisms including calls to refrain from cooperating with HRW and holding those who invited it into the country accountable. What was said to cause this level of disappointment and what pushed some to suggest that HRW officials should not be allowed to enter Bahrain? more
The Relationship with International Human Rights Organizations should not be JeopardisedThe visit of HRW to Bahrain in February and its report on 28th which contained harsh criticisms of the human rights situation sparked the question of how useful it is to continue the relationship with international human rights organizations. In comparison to other organisations such as Amnesty International, HRW’s reports are the harshest. The relation with these organizations has always been tense and the disagreements from the Government’s point of view can be summarised as follows: more Bahrain’s National Dialogue on TrialThe long awaited dialogue has begun after the King called upon all parties, the opposition, the loyalists and the Government to discuss the scope of a political solution for the current crisis. The first dialogue sessions witnessed disagreements over the number of participants and the nature of the executive authority’s participation and how far it is representing the Government. There were also disagreements regarding the guarantees for the implementation of the results of the dialogue. The important thing to note this time is that the coverage of the dialogue by the State’s TV and the media was transparent and balanced. The dialogue took place amidst a great amount of articles, statements and heated debates on tweeter between the opposition and Government officials. The crisis on the streets has also been escalating and this has been interpreted as an objection to having dialogue in the first place between the opposition and the authority or as an attempt to influence the dialogue. more |
A Battle to Gain the Trust of International Human Rights OrganizationsDeveloping the human rights and political situation is a battle that must take place within Bahrain itself and not outside it. This is because the main political players are in Bahrain and it is the Bahraini people who will benefit from the development and improvement of the situation. The reactions of the outside world are merely a symptom of the root of the problem. Therefore, all efforts should be directed at solving the domestic problems and issues. The political crisis which erupted two years ago has had a negative effect on the Human Rights situation and put Bahrain in the spotlight of foreign media and international organizations. Both parties, the opposition and loyalists, are trying hard to lobby the world behind their respective points of view. To achieve this end, they are prepared to present exaggerated or even fabricated information in order to mobilise international public opinion and gain support for their political positions. We were hoping that political disagreements will be dealt with locally and that the concerned parties will exert serious efforts in order to reach a political solution to the crisis, as opposed to moving their disagreements abroad in order to score points against each other. more  Bahrain:
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