In
a continuation of the sporadic violence began by the pro-democracy uprising in
2011, an explosion in the predominately Shi’ite
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 Bahrain’s
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.
