Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Bahrain update


In a continuation of the sporadic violence began by the pro-democracy uprising in 2011, an explosion in the predominately Shiite town of East Eker in early July killed a police official on patrol. The police officer is the thirteenth officer reported to have been killed as a result of pro-democracy fuelled violence. The Sunni monarchy has generally responded with harsh punitive measures against protesting Shias, who constitute the majority of the population of Bahrain.

On 2 August, several vehicles were also set alight as unrest began in the capital, Manama. A group of masked youths were reported to be responsible for the attacks on cars and shops in the area, but the violence is also likely linked to the periodic violent protests associated with the 2011 uprising. Despite these two incidents, the scale of violence and unrest in Bahrain is still considered to be limited.

 Diplomacy and External Affairs

On the diplomatic scene, the US Assistant Secretary of State of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour was recently expelled from Bahrain in July after meeting with members of the Shia opposition group, al Wefaq. While Bahrains officials have insisted that relations with the US remain sound after the incident, the leader of al Wefaq, Sheik Ali Salman has been charged for illegally organising the meeting without the approval with government officials. The charge itself is that of contacting a representative of a foreign government in violation of the political associations law and related ministerial decisions.

Domestic Affairs

Internally, Bahrain has as recently as last week announced plans to further regulate the appointment process for public sector jobs, with a special focus on undersecretaries, assistant undersecretaries and directors. The nominations for appointment will now be managed by a committee chaired by the vice president of the Civil Service Bureau. 

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