News From Bahrain

Bahrain

OCTOBER 24

Bahraini police and anti-government protesters clashed in a Shiite village outside the capital Manama overnight leaving at least two people wounded, the police said on Wednesday. | AFP

Bahraini human rights activist Ghasem al-Hashemi on Wednesday renewed an earlier call for the trial of the country’s interior minister, Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, in an international tribunal for crimes against humanity. | Fars News

OCTOBER 23

Bahraini human rights defender Maryam al-Khawaja has pulled out of a UNESCO human rights conference that is honoring her father, political prisoner Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, because the same event is honoring Israeli President Shimon Peres. | Voice of Bahrain

OCTOBER 22

Authorities in Bahrain have fired tear gas to disperse more than 200 protesters trying to enter a village under a security clampdown following a bombing last week that killed a policeman. | Washington Post

OCTOBER 19

A Bahraini policeman was killed and another critically injured in a bomb attack while on patrol south of the capital Manama, security officials said on Friday, in further unrest plaguing the Gulf Arab kingdom and close U.S. ally. | Chicago Tribune

Bahrain’s parliament has endorsed a motion to request the government to put an end to “the interference of the US ambassador in the country’s domestic affairs.” | Gulf News

OCTOBER 18

Bahraini authorities have detained four men on charges of defaming the Gulf Arab country's king on Twitter, according to the state news agency BNA. | Chicago Tribune

Mohammad al-Maskati, a prominent Shiite rights activist in Bahrain who was arrested in connection with anti-government protests, was released on Wednesday, his lawyers said. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 17

A senior Iranian foreign ministry official categorically rejected the recent allegations made by Manama officials about Iran's interference in Bahrain's internal affairs, and stressed Tehran's respect for sovereignty of the Persian Gulf state. | Fars News

OCTOBER 16

A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has prolonged the appeal of an imprisoned human rights activist by ordering another hearing next month. | Washington Post

OCTOBER 15

Bahrain’s King Hamad said at the opening of parliament on Sunday that the government was open to dialogue with the opposition and also urged the body to criminalise “violence.” | AFP

On Monday Bahrain summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires to protest against “attributing baseless information to Bahraini officials” and against “interfering in domestic issues.” | Gulf News

OCTOBER 11

Minister for Human Rights Affairs Dr. Salah Bin Ali Abdul Rahman received a delegation from the organization “Human Rights First” in his office at the Ministry’s headquarters in Bahrain Financial Harbour. The delegation is visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 7 through 12. | Bahrain News Agency

OCTOBER 9

Human Rights Watch called on Bahrain's king to overturn convictions against nine medics for their role in last year's pro-democracy uprising on Monday, saying confessions had been obtained by torture and trial proceedings were unfair. | Chicago Tribune

OCTOBER 4

The United States said Wednesday that it is deeply concerned about a decision by Bahrain’s top court to uphold jail terms for nine health-care workers convicted for their roles in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, calling it a setback for reconciliation efforts in the gulf Arab state. | Washington Post

OCTOBER 3

Bahraini authorities released Shiite rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja from prison Wednesday after she served a two-month jail term for destroying government property, her lawyer told AFP. | AFP

OCTOBER 2

Bahraini police have arrested five medical personnel after a court rejected appeals to overturn their convictions for roles anti-government protests last year in the Gulf kingdom. | Boston Globe

OCTOBER 1

Bahrain’s highest court on Monday upheld jail terms issued against nine medics convicted for their role in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, state news agency BNA reported, a decision that could further fuel unrest in the Gulf Arab state. | Chicago Tribune

In remarks before the 67th United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Khalifa highlighted the progress Bahrain has made during its decade-long reform project and commented on a number of issues pertaining to regional security. | Sacramento Bee

SEPTEMBER 28

An appeals court in Bahrain has set October 16 as the date for the next court hearing of prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab. | Press TV

SEPTEMBER 26

The daughter of a jailed rights activist in Bahrain was sentenced Wednesday to two months in prison for damaging property at the police station, including tearing a picture of the Gulf nation’s king, officials said. | Gulf News

Bahrain’s sound economic fundamentals and core strengths have come into play with growth indicators reflecting the revival in sentiment. | al-Bawaba

SEPTEMBER 25

Bahrain has rejected reports claiming it has been working behind the scenes to naturalize thousands of Syrians living in a refugee camp in Jordan. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 24

Bahrain has rejected reports claiming it has been working behind the scenes to naturalize thousands of Syrians living in a refugee camp in Jordan. “Media reports about the granting of Bahraini nationality to Syrian refugees are baseless,” the Interior Ministry said on its Twitter account. | Gulf News

Bahrain has referred 39 people to court after they were accused of allegedly carrying out a twin bomb attack in April that wounded four policemen in a Shiite village, said BNA news agency. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 21

More than three dozen nations have converged on the seas around Bahrain for a massive military minesweeping exercise. | CNN

SEPTEMBER 20

Bahrain is the most economically free nation in the MENA region, and the seventh freest economy in the world, according to the Economic Freedom of the World: 2012 Annual Report published this week by the Fraser Institute, a leading international think tank. | al-Bawaba

SEPTEMBER 19

The United States urged Bahrain to speed democratic reforms and hold meaningful talks with opposition groups to ensure stability in a strategic Gulf ally at a sensitive time on Wednesday. | Chicago Tribune

SEPTEMBER 18

Bahrain's public prosecution has charged seven police officers over the torture and maltreatment of Shia medics detained in the aftermath of nationwide protests last year, authorities said. | Al Jazeera

SEPTEMBER 14

Thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets in the capital Manama and several villages on Friday to condemn a blasphemous movie insulting Islam.| Fars News

Bahraini authorities announced Friday they will block and suspend websites showing the anti- Islam film that defames the Prophet Mohammed, Xinhua reported. | Trend

SEPTEMBER 13

Bahrain said that it had approved 156 out of 176 recommendations set by the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) last May. | Gulf News

The religious scholars of Bahrain are organizing a protest for defending the honor of the Prophet Muhammad. | Al-Wefaq

SEPTEMBER 12

The UN's top rights official laid out the world's most significant human rights issues Monday, criticizing Syria and Bahrain but also mentioning problems in Western countries such as France and Greece. | CTV News

Minister of State for Information Affairs Sameera Rajab has lashed out at al-Wefaq Islamic Society's slavish links to Iran and its agenda in the kingdom. She denounced the society's ties with Tehran that date back to the 1970s, when Bahrain voted for an Arab identity. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 11

Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab appeared in court to appeal a three-year jail sentence for organizing illegal protests. | BBC News

The Bahraini opposition has called for a massive protest this Friday under the name “Friday in Calling for Democracy.” | Al-Wefaq

SEPTEMBER 6

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton expressed concerns on Wednesday over a Bahraini appeals court confirming the prison sentences given to twenty opposition activists by a military court for their roles in last year’s anti-government protests. | RTT News

SEPTEMBER 5

Bahraini police clashed overnight with Shiite demonstrators who took to the streets in protest of jail sentences against prominent opposition activists, witnesses said. | AP

SEPTEMBER 4

The opposition condemned the jail terms against thirteen opposition activists in Bahrain as being “show trials” and noting that there was a lack of differentiation between civil and military justice contradicting international human rights law. | al-Wefaq

AUGUST 30

The leaders of the Bahraini opposition have asked the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement to contribute to a political solution to Bahrain’s problems. | al-Wefaq

AUGUST 29

Bahraini rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja wrote to Egypt’s president on Tuesday, complaining that she and other pro-democracy campaigners from her country were denied entry, charging that the policy is a holdover from the deposed Egyptian regime. | Gulf News

Authorities in Bahrain have paid out $2.7 million in compensation in seventeen cases relating to unrest in 2011. | Arabian Business

AUGUST 27

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa will represent His Majesty King Hamad at the sixteenth Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 23

A Bahraini judge overturned a conviction against prominent human rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab for posting alleged anti-government comments on social media, but the activist remains jailed while appealing another prison sentence. | Fox News

AUGUST 22

Protesters pelted police with petrol bombs and stones in clashes that broke out in Bahrain on Tuesday night at the funeral of a teenage demonstrator killed last week in a new bout of unrest in the U.S.-allied Gulf state. | Reuters

AUGUST 21

Bahrain’s justice minister said that he would resume meeting local political societies after Eid in a bid to promote the spirit of national reconciliation. | Gulf News

AUGUST 20

A 16-year-old protester was killed after what opposition activists in Bahrain called a "brutal attack" by security forces; the Bahraini government described the incident as a defensive response to a petrol bomb attack on police. | Chicago Tribune

AUGUST 16

Nabeel Rajab, a prominent Bahraini human rights activist, was found guilty Thursday of instigating and participating in several illegal gatherings and sentenced to three years in jail. | Washington Post

AUGUST 15

Officials denied accusations that Bahraini Islamist MPs have funded Syrian opposition groups with millions of dollars to buy weapons in support of rebel attempts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.| Trade Arabia

Yesterday, on Bahrain’s Independence Day, the courts issued verdicts on several cases against over 56 political detainees. | Ahlul Bayt News Agency

AUGUST 14

Bahraini security forces fired tear gas and shotgun shells to disperse protesters in Shiite villages, witnesses said Tuesday, as police announced the arrest of eleven “saboteurs.” | Now Lebanon

Bahrain’s appeals court postponed its verdict in the case of thirteen leading opposition figures facing jail sentences over charges of plotting to overthrow the monarchy, lawyers said. | AFP

AUGUST 13

Bahrain has reinstated its ambassador in Iran, the country's foreign minister said, more than a year after the kingdom withdrew its envoy to protest Tehran's criticism of a Gulf-backed crackdown on Shi'ite protesters. | Reuters

A lawyer for prominent Bahrain rights activist Nabeel Rajab says a court will issue verdicts in four cases pending against him on Thursday. | AP

AUGUST 10

A civilian court in Bahrain has reduced the sentences of 11 people convicted of attacking a soldier during last year’s anti-government protests and acquitted four others. | Washington Post

Bahraini opposition parties should denounce violence to demonstrate their desire for political progress, a government minister said yesterday after rare meetings with opponents linked to more than a year of street protests. | Gulf Times

AUGUST 9

Bahrain's opposition demanded a serious political dialogue in a meeting with the kingdom's justice minister, and complained of a violent crackdown by authorities on protests. | Al-Ahram

Fifteen Bahraini police officers are to be charged with torturing doctors who were arrested for treating protesters last year. | Ahlul Beyt News Agency; Washington Post

AUGUST 8

The newly-formed Bahrain Labor Union Free Federation has questioned why the country's labor law does not include a minimum wage. | Trade Arabia

Two Salafi Islamist MPs from Bahrain snuck into the largest Syrian city of Aleppo where they met with members of the Free Syrian Army. | AFP

AUGUST 6

International and local competition as well as claims in vehicle and medical insurance has led to a 6.5 per cent increase in gross premiums this year compared to 2011 for Bahrain National Holding (BNH). | Trade Arabia

AUGUST 2

Bahraini police arrested three suspects for "terrorist activities" after seizing materials that can be used to manufacture explosives. However, Major General Tariq al-Hassan acknowledged that "some police officers could have acted inappropriately," after Shiite opposition accused the public security of abuse. | AFP; Gulf News

AUGUST 1

A report by Physicians for Human Rights criticized Bahrain for its “unprecedented” use of tear gas on protesters. | New York Times

JULY 31

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman urged police to use restraint. “Force is used only when all security alternatives have been exhausted and there must be no discrimination in dealing with the citizens, regardless of their affiliations and sects,” he said. | Gulf News

JULY 30

Bahrain's Interior Ministry is opening investigations into possible rights violations by police during opposition protests. A statement said the Ministry seeks to uphold "international standards" among its security forces. | AP

Crown Prince Salman called on Bahrainis to focus on nation-building. “There is a need to use wisdom and objectivity in dealing with alien ideologies that undermine social peace and impact interaction between the sons of the same country. We have succeeded to address them in the past and we will succeed again by joining our efforts,” he said. | Gulf News

JULY 26

Seven Bahrainis jailed for 15 years in connection with violence at Bahrain University last year were accused of planning to murder students. | Gulf Daily News

JULY 25

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa met his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris. They discussed further cooperation and coordination, especially toward Syria and Iran. | Gulf Daily News

JULY 24

Bahrain’s police arrested Jaffar Hussain Mohammed Yousif Eid, one of three suspects connected to the seizure of five tons of explosive materials and 110 liters of chemicals last month. |

Gulf Daily News

JULY 23

Fifteen men were arrested for hurling firebombs at police patrols, injuring four officers and damaging several vehicles. |Gulf Daily News

JULY 18

The United States designated Bahrain citizen Ahmed Abdulrahman Sihab Ahmed Sihab as a terrorist. Sihab is charged with training members of Al Qaeda and planning attacks.| U.S. State Dept

JULY 17

Bahrain is investigating a fire that destroyed 509 stalls in a traditional market. | Gulf Daily News

Anti-government protesters clashed with police after the government banned opposition marches. Bahrain’s interior minister said Bahrain would approve locations for rallies and gatherings. | Washington Post; RT; Gulf News

Bahrain expelled U.S. filmmaker and human rights activist Jen Marlowe, accusing her of shooting a documentary without permission. Authorities said she falsified the reason for her trip and is affiliated with the International Solidarity Movement, an opposition organization. | Gulf News; RT

JULY 13

The Bahraini government announced it is banning opposition rallies in order to prevent disruption to traffic and street violence. | Washington Post

A UK parliamentary report called on the British government to exercise more caution in granting licenses for the export of arms to authoritarian regimes such as Bahrain. | AFP; BBC

JULY 11

Amnesty International called for the immediate release of human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, the President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, who was convicted of libel for a post on Twitter. | Bikya Masr

JULY 9

Prominent Bahraini protest leader Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to three months in prison over a tweet that the court said insulted Bahrainis and the Prime Minister. Rajab is the head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. | Reuters; Gulf News

JULY 5

Bahrain and UAE concluded a joint air drill code-named “Falcons Union 1/2012.” The exercises were held to increase military cooperation and were "not linked to any developments on the regional or international plateaus,” according to Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi. | New York Daily News

JULY 3

Bahrain charged 15 policemen with "mistreatment" of detainees during an investigation into reports of torture of protesters. | Reuters

JULY 2

The Bahrain Islamic Society al-Asalah blamed U.S Ambassador Thomas Krajeski for opposition violence. Bahraini MP Abdul Halim Murad said Krajeski is becoming “a threat to the national security of Bahrain and the Gulf.” | Bloomberg

JUNE 29

BBC admitted major errors in its coverage of Bahrain's unrest. The organization initially underplayed the sectarian aspect of the conflict and did not adequately convey the viewpoint of supporters of the monarchy, says a BBC Trust report. It states that the coverage was “an incomplete account” that “saw the conflict there through the prism of revolts elsewhere in the region.” | Gulf Daily News

JUNE 28

Bahraini police injured prominent human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja by shooting her with a tear gas canister. The injury did not appear to be life-threatening. Al-Khawaja is the daughter of jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, whose 100-day hunger strike brought international attention to Bahrain’s protest movement. | Fox News

Al Asala and the Islamic Menbar, two blocs of Bahrain’s Parliament, are pressuring the Foreign Ministry to replace Thoma Krajaski, U.S. ambassador to Bahrain, and declare Michael Posner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, a persona non-grata. The Ministry issued a statement saying “if a diplomat acts in a manner inconsistent with his duties, the competent authorities will not hesitate to take the appropriate measures.” | Gulf News

JUNE 27

Bahrain released Shiite activist Nabeel Rajab three weeks after he was imprisoned for tweets deemed insulting to Sunnis. | Daily Star

JUNE 26

Two policemen initially accused of manslaughter for killing two protesters during last year’s protests are now facing murder charges. They could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain will pay $2.6 million to 17 families in compensation for deaths during last year’s protests. The BICI, an independent investigative body, said that 35 people died during the unrest. | Reuters

JUNE 25

Shaikh Ali Salman, secretary-general of Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s main Shiite opposition group, was injured when Bahraini police fired rubber bullets at protesters. Salman believed he was intentionally targeted, but added that Al-Wefaq will “continue our democratic demands and call for universal human rights principles through peaceful assemblies. It is the people’s right.” | Gulf News

Bahraini King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said that Bahrain can resolve its own problems internally. In a weekly speech to the cabinet, he declared that “Bahraini issues are purely domestic issues that concern the people of Bahrain and we are able to manage our differences and engage in dialogue without foreign mediation.” | Gulf News; Gulf Daily News

The International Federation of Human Rights and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights urged the EU to discuss human rights issues in its meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council. An open letter stated that “fundamental freedoms and, in particular, freedoms of expression, opinion, and association are increasingly threatened” in the Gulf states. | Gulf News

JUNE 22

Saeed al-Samaheeji, a doctor charged with aiding anti-government protests, went on a hunger strike to protest “brutal and fabricated charges.” Samaheeji is among nine medics sentenced to prison for aiding protesters. | Associated Press

The European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) has urged the UK to deny entry to Prince Nasser, the son of the Bahraini king and the head of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, because of his “personal engagement” in human rights violations. | Guardian

JUNE 21

Bahraini police arrested five of 20 people wanted for "terror attacks.” Bahraini authorities accused Shiite youth protesters of using petrol bombs against security forces during demonstrations. | AFP

JUNE 20

Arab Women Organisation (AWO) director-general Wadooda Badra said plans are underway to educate Bahraini and Arab judges on women's social and humanitarian rights. She explained that "There is a gap between what's practised and proper rights that women have and it is because systems have not been yet updated to match the ongoing change." | Gulf Daily News

JUNE 19

Bahrain’s first lady, Princess Sabeeka, has called for judicial reforms to support women’s rights efforts. The princess said that “judicial reforms are needed to protect their family and social status and public life in general" and that “we have to look into ways to improve women's awareness about all issues whether financial, social, cultural, legal or media." | Gulf Daily News

JUNE 18

Bahrain will hold a runoff election between Abdul Raman Bul Ali and Sameer Kadhem for the only vacant seat in Bahrain’s lower chamber after the only female candidate lost in the first round. The runoff will take place within a week. | Gulf News

JUNE 15

US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said the US was “deeply disappointed’ by Bahrain’s refusal to dismiss charges against 20 medics over their role in last year’s pro-democracy uprising. Amnesty International said the rulings represented a “dark day for justice.” | Reuters

JUNE 14

Bahrain courts reduced sentences against nine medics, acquitted nine, and sentenced two to 15 years in prison for occupying a hospital, incitement to topple the monarchy, and arms possession during Bahrain’s uprising. Human rights groups said the case was politically motivated and should have been thrown out over the use of torture. | Reuters; Associated Press

JUNE 13

Bahrain will introduce tough new laws to combat the misuse of social media, said Minister of State for Information Affairs Samira Rajab. Rajab said social media is abused by human rights activists. | Trade Arabia; Gulf Daily News

JUNE 12

The Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, a new group backed by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, says it hopes to bridge divides in Bahrain. British Middle East and North African Affairs Minister Alistair Burt said all political societies he met declared their unequivocal opposition to all kinds of violence. | AP; Gulf Daily News

JUNE 11

Bahrain’s government will pay more than $2.6 million in compensation settlements to the families of 17 people who have died during Bahrain’s unrest. | Trade Arabia

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in the biggest anti-government demonstrations in weeks. Demonstrators protested the detention of activist Nabeel Rajab, who was re-arrested last week for charges related to his Twitter posts. The following day police wounded several demonstrators who chanted anti-government slogans.| Guardian; Fars; AFP; Tehran Times

JUNE 8

Defense lawyer Mohsin al-Alawi said a court hearing is planned next week for Ali Hasan, an 11-year-old boy detained for allegedly taking part in anti-government protests. | Gulf News

The International Human Rights Organization of Academics and Scholarly Societies issued a public statement and letter calling for Bahrain to release 20 medics who were arrested in April 2011. Government officials claim the medics confessed to crimes, but the medics have said the confessions were extracted under the duress of torture. There is one week left in the appeal process for the medics. | Science Insider

JUNE 7

Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab was re-arrested for posting tweets critical of the government. The case is the fifth since May against Mr. Rajab, who called the charges against him “vindictive accusations.” The hearing was adjourned until June 12. | BBC

JUNE 6

Bahrain’s interior minister Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said that the government had not given police orders to torture or kill prisoners, practices that were highlighted in a government-commissioned independent report last year. The interior minister commented that “torture and killing is not part of government policy…We have never issued any orders or instructions regarding this and we have also never received such orders.” | Reuters; Gulf Daily News

Bahraini policewoman Lieutenant Sara al-Musa pled not guilty to charges of torturing Nazeeha Saeed, the Bahrain correspondent of France 24 and Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya, during last year's crackdown on anti-government protests. The hearing was adjourned to June 24. | AFP

Defense lawyer Mohamed al-Jishi said Nabel Rajab, the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was arrested again for posting Twitter messages allegedly insulting residents of a Sunni-dominated neighborhood for its close ties with Bahrain’s ruling Sunni regime. | Washington Post

JUNE 5

Twenty-one jailed Shiite activists claimed they had been subjected to torture and beatings after their arrest. Their lawyer Mohsen al-Alami said the abuse was part of a crackdown on protests for greater political rights. | AP

Bahrain’s ministry of justice filed a lawsuit to dissolve the Islamic Action Society, or Amal, a Shiite-led opposition party. The Office of Political Societies Affairs at the ministry recorded numerous “grave and continuing breaches” by the society, it said. Amal spokesman Hisham Sabbagh said he believed the ministry was trying to put pressure on the party to accept a national dialogue with the government. | Gulf News; Gulf Daily News

JUNE 4

Bahrain’s Justice Ministry said it would ask the courts to ban the Islamic Action party, Amal, for “major violations” of Bahrain's constitution and laws, the state BNA news agency reported. | Reuters; Gulf News

JUNE 1

Bahrain is set to improve its labor legislation to ensure decent work for all migrant workers in a bid to protect their rights, Bahrain’s Labor Minister Jameel Humaidan said. | Trade Arabia

Human Rights First published an article highlighting the continued harassment of activists in Bahrain. | Human Rights First

MAY 31

King Hamad of Bahrain said that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are “one country that will never be segmented.” | Ahram

Bahrain and India signed a tax information exchange agreement to promote economic and joint investment between the two countries. | Trade Arabia

MAY 30

Three Bahraini women accused of assaulting policewomen and participating in an illegal rally have been released pending a verdict by the Lower Criminal Court. One of the women is also standing trial in a separate case alongside opposition activist Zainab al-Khawaja for refusing to leave an illegal protest. | Gulf Daily News

MAY 29

A Bahraini court sentenced six people to 15 years in jail each for plotting with Iran to stage attacks on targets including the Saudi embassy and the Interior Ministry, the official BNA news agency reported. | Reuters; TIME

Jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja ended his hunger strike on May 29 after what he described as his success in drawing attention to the issue of imprisoned activists. A new hearing is set for May 29, but al-Khawaja will not be able to attend it, his attorney Mohamed al-Jishi said. | CNN; Reuters

Activists Nabeel Rajab and Zainab al-Khawaja were released from jail after paying bail on May 28 and May 29 respectively. | AFP

MAY 25

It was announced yesterday that the constitutional amendments, ratified by King Hamad earlier this month, give broad powers to Bahrain's parliament.| Gulf Daily News

MAY 24

A Bahraini court jailed opposition activist Zainab al-Khawaja, the daughter of prominent detained opponent Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, for one month after convicting her of attacking a policewoman and taking part in an illegal rally. | AFP

Bahrain saw oil production increase 33 percent last year and is now looking to replace the existing pipeline between itself and Saudi Arabia which pumps 230,000 barrels of oil a day to the kingdom's refinery with a new one with a capacity to import 350,000 bpd. | Gulf Daily News

MAY 23

The UN Human Rights Council said that Bahrain has agreed to consider recommendations to release political prisoners, outlaw torture and join the International Criminal Court, a move that could open it to international prosecutions of alleged abuses. | AP

Bahrain’s government is seeking to fast track a Gulf Cooperation Council union, an idea promoted by Saudi Arabia to create a federation for the six member countries. | UPI

MAY 22

Jailed Bahraini activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike since February, made his first public appearance in months, attending a court hearing in a wheelchair and claimed, along with others, that he suffered abuses and torture in custody. | Washington Post; BBC

Bahraini activist Zainab Al Khawaja was convicted by the Lower Criminal Court for insulting a policeman during a protest on April 5 and was fined BD200. | Gulf Daily News

MAY 18

Jailed Bahraini activist Abdel Hadi al-Khawaja, on hunger strike for more than three months, is well but still continues his fast to protest a life sentence, his lawyer, Mohammed al-Jishi, said after meeting with his client for the first time in more than 45 days. | AFP

Iran summoned Bahrain's ambassador in Tehran after Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa told Iran to stop interfering in his nation's internal affairs, Iranian state media reported.| AFP; Reuters

MAY 17

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued arrest warrants for 20 men, including the names and photographs of the men. The men are accused of injuring policemen and civilians with homemade bombs during the months of unrest in the country. | Gulf News; Reuters

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa warned Iran to stop interfering in the country’s internal affairs while affirming his support for a union between the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council, saying that the union is “a demand by the people of the GCC.” | AFP

MAY 16

Bahraini rights activist Nabeel Rajab told a judge at Manama's Minor Criminal Court that a charge that he tweeted insults against the government was “vindictive” and politically-motivated. Witnesses at the trial said there were more than 50 lawyers defending Rajab. The trial will continue on May 20. | AFP; BBC; Washington Post

Bahrain's foreign ministry summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Manama to protest what it described a “violation of its sovereignty” after statements made by Speaker of Iran’s parliament Ali Larijani and another lawmaker against a proposed union between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. | Reuters; Gulf News; Saudi Gazette

MAY 15

Al-Asala, the major Salafi society in Bahrain, elected lawmaker Abdul Halim Murad as its new chairman. | Gulf News

MAY 14

The Obama administration notified Congress that the United States will resume some military sales to Bahrain's defense force, coast guard and national guard, although it will maintain a hold on TOW missiles and Humvees, the U.S. State Department said in a statement. | Reuters; New York Times; Washington Post

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council held a meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss plans for a regional political, economic and security union. The first phase of the proposal would be a union between Bahrain and GCC heavyweight Saudi Arabia. Bahrain's leading opposition party al-Wefaq dismissed the announcement as a move aimed at stopping democratic change. | Washington Post; BBC; Reuters

MAY 11

Bahrain’s security forces fired tear gas and birdshot during overnight clashes with protesters demanding the release of jailed opposition activists, wounding several demonstrators, witnesses said. | AFP

Bahrain’s lower house approved an amendment to certain provisions of the penal code that mandates longer jail terms for assaulting a member of the security forces or employees of the Bahrain Defense Force. | Khaleej Times

MAY 10

Bahraini opposition activists from the “February 14 Youth Coalition” said they blocked roads with burning tires to demand the release of women prisoners arrested during the unrest. | Reuters

A Bahraini defense lawyer, Jalila al-Sayed, said that the retrial of 20 medical professionals was postponed until June 14. | Fox News

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Bahrain to take further steps to tackle human rights issues in talks with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who is currently visiting Washington. | AFP; Arabian Business; Democracy Now

MAY 8

A civilian court in Bahrain adjourned the retrial of 21 activists and opposition figures accused of plotting to overthrow the state because hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and another defendant, Sheikh Mirza al-Mahroos, were too ill to attend, lawyers and witnesses said. The judge adjourned the case to May 22 to allow the two men to attend and lawyers to see their clients. | Reuters; BBC

MAY 7

A prominent Bahraini activist, Nabeel Rajab, was arrested in Bahrain on charges of inciting protests by using social networking websites. On May 6, a court ordered that Rajab be remanded in custody for seven days pending investigation. | BBC; FT; Gulf News

Major General Tareq al-Hassan, Bahrain’s public security chief, said that an explosion in Bani Jamra injured four security personnel, including one officer who is in critical condition. | Gulf News

MAY 4

Bahrain’s King Hamad ratified constitutional reforms, which increase parliament’s powers to question and remove ministers and withdraw confidence in the cabinet. Opposition group al-Wefaq dismissed these reforms as insufficient. | Saudi Gazette; Gulf News; AFP

A Bahraini juvenile court decided to keep two minors, both 13 years old, in custody for seven more days after they were arrested last week for assaulting police and taking part in protests, their lawyers said. | AFP

MAY 3

In a speech marking the International Day for Freedom of the Press, Bahrain’s King Hamad accused foreign media of exaggerating unrest and inciting violence in the country. | Al Jazeera

Mones al-Mardi, the editor-in-chief of al-Bilad, is the new chairman of the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA). The elections for a new board for the association are scheduled for Saturday. | Gulf News

MAY 2

Demonstrators took to the streets in Bahrain for a May Day rally organized by the February 14 Youth Movement to demand being reinstated to jobs from which they were fired during last year's uprising. Security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protest in Manama, witnesses said. | AFP

MAY 1

Imprisoned Bahraini activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja was allowed a five-minute interview with the BBC, during which he stated that he will continue his 84-day hunger strike. Al-Khawaja said his medical treatment at the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) hospital had been good “except for the force-feeding,” which officials deny took place. | BBC

Bahrain denied entry to Ana Gomes, a member of the European parliament, who the opposition said wanted to check on the situation of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and other political prisoners. | AFP

APRIL 27

The by-election to vote in a replacement for Ganem al-Buainain, who was recently appointed state minister for foreign affairs, will be held on June 16, Bahrain’s justice minister said. | Gulf News

Bahraini protesters attacked a police station with petrol bombs and riot police responded with teargas and stun grenades after a funeral march for Salah Abbas Habib who was killed last week. | Reuters; Sky News

Bahrain's foreign ministry issued a statement reaffirming its respect for the right to hold peaceful protests and stating that its security forces only intervene when demonstrations turn violent in response to U.S. State Department concerns. | Daily Star

APRIL 26

Mohamed al-Jishi, the lawyer for jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, said he will seek a court order granting him visiting rights to his client. Al-Jishi said he last saw al-Khawaja on April 4 and accused authorities of blocking visits since. Al-Khawaja has been on a hunger strike since February 8. | AP

Bahrain's upper and lower chambers endorsed a series of amendments to the constitution that will enhance the role of parliament by granting it the powers to reject the four-year action plan presented by the government and to call government ministers in for questioning. The amendments will now be referred to King Hamad. | Gulf News

U.S State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the United States urged Bahrain to exercise restraint and allow peaceful protests, condemning a new outbreak of violence in the country. | AFP

APRIL 24

Bahrain has detained for seven days activist Zainab al-Khawaja for protesting during the Formula One Grand Prix, her lawyer said. | Reuters; BBC

APRIL 25

A bomb explosion wounded four members of Bahrain's police force during clashes with protesters in the village of Diraz, Bahraini officials said. | BBC; Gulf News; AFP

Bahrain’s King Hamad appointed three parliamentarians as state ministers. Ganem al-Buainain was appointed state minister for foreign affairs. Salah Ali was named state minister for human rights affairs. Sameera Rajab was named state minister for information affairs, becoming the third woman in the Bahraini government. | Gulf News

APRIL 24

Bahrain has detained for seven days activist Zainab al-Khawaja for protesting during the Formula One Grand Prix, her lawyer said. | Reuters; BBC

APRIL 23

The body of Salah Abbas Habib Musa, a 36-year-old local protest leader, was found in a village outside Manama, according to the opposition and the police. Opposition groups blamed the police for the death, while government said they are waiting for the autopsy. | New York Times; Gulf News; Ahram

Bahrain deported a group of journalists from Britain's Channel 4 News after the controversial Formula One Grand Prix. The Channel 4 News crew was arrested while covering protests. Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed concern over the incident. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced an investigation into allegations of an attack on the crew’s driver. | BBC; ABC News; Euronews

Bahrain's Court of Cassation postponed until April 30 the final verdict in the case of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and 20 other democracy activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the kingdom's rulers. | BBC; Gulf News

APRIL 20

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters demonstrated on a major highway demanding a halt to the Formula One race on its first day of practice runs. Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman said that calling off the race would play into the hands of “extremists.” Bahraini authorities stepped up security around the Formula One circuit after clashes between protesters and security forces intensified. | AP; Reuters; Gulf News

Media freedom groups accused Bahrain of using this weekend's Formula One motor race as a propaganda exercise to improve its international image, saying it wants to stop journalists reporting on anti-government protests. Earlier this week, Bahrain prevented at least two foreign reporters from entering the country. Several others, including a Reuters correspondent, are still waiting for entry visas. | Reuters

APRIL 19

Salman al-Shaikh, a Bahraini lawmaker, called for a Gulf Cooperation Council boycott of Iranian goods in reaction to the visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the disputed island of Abu Musa. | Gulf News

Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for the release of jailed Bahraini activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. | AFP

APRIL 18

Bahrain’s security forces arrested about 80 leading democracy activists in an attempt to contain anti-government protests ahead of this weekend's Formula One Grand Prix race, the president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, Mohammed Maskati said. Anti-government protesters in Bahrain are planning “days of rage” directed at the Formula One Grand Prix. The crackdown coincided with a statement from Amnesty International which said reforms in Bahrain have been inadequate. | AFP; Reuters; CNN; Vancouver Sun

APRIL 17

Bahrain’s foreign ministry urged Britain to protect its embassy in London as a rooftop protest against the country’s government continued into its second day. The two protesters were identified as the son of senior opposition leader Hassan Mushaima, Ali Mushaima, and Moosa Satrawi. | Washington Post; BBC; Gulf Daily News

EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton urged Bahrain to save jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja who is on hunger strike, saying that al-Khawaja’s health is “a matter of the utmost urgency” and that there was “serious and profound concern” in the EU about the case. | al-Ahram

An appeal trial by 18 men jailed for seven years each after being convicted of blockading an area outside Bahrain Financial Harbor, attacking policemen, and inciting hatred against the regime was adjourned until May 9. Six of the men told judges they signed confessions blindfolded and were mistreated in custody. | Gulf Daily News

APRIL 16

Mohammad Ahmad Abdul Aziz, a Bahraini teenager, was in intensive care on April 14 after being shot by Bahraini police while attending the funeral of Ahmad Esmail, a citizen journalist killed during a protest, the opposition group al-Wefaq reported. Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces during Esmail’s funeral. | Gulf News; CNN; Euronews

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad al-Khalifa condemned the recent attack on a supermarket in the Central Governorate of Bahrain on April 10. Major General Tareq al-Hassan, Chief of Public Security, said that several civilians and security personnel were arrested following an investigation launched by the country’s Interior Ministry. | Gulf News

APRIL 13

Four United Nations human rights experts urged the Bahraini government to release jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja immediately. Amnesty International released a new briefing on the continuing human rights crisis in the country. | UN; Amnesty International

Motorsport's governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), ended uncertainty over the Bahrain Grand Prix by issuing a statement confirming that the Formula One race will go ahead next weekend. | CNN; Formula 1

APRIL 12

The Obama administration said it was “deeply concerned” over an upsurge in violence in Bahrain, condemning attacks on police but also calling on security forces to show restraint. The White House also expressed concern for the well-being of jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and called on the Bahraini government to fully implement proposed reforms.| AFP; Reuters

Danish Ambassador Christian Koenigsfeldt visited jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and reported that he is weak but still conscious. | AFP

Bahrain criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent visit to the island of Abu Musa, saying that it was a violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates and a breach of bilateral accords for peace and security in the region. | Gulf News

APRIL 11

Denmark’s Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt told reporters in Copenhagen that she had demanded the extradition of activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who holds Danish as well as Bahraini citizenship, in a letter to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. Amnesty International also asked for the immediate and unconditional release of al-Khawaja. Bahrain’s foreign ministry called on the international community to abide by the charter of the United Nations and refrain from interfering in its domestic affairs.| New York Times; CNN; AP; Gulf News

A mob attacked a supermarket belonging to Jawad Business Group, a major Shiite-owned business group, a board member of the group reported. The attack appeared linked to a wave of reprisals and intimidation by suspected Sunni groups angered by the uprising in Bahrain. | AP

APRIL 10

Bahrain's Interior Ministry denied reports that detained activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is on his 62nd day of a hunger strike, has serious medical problems, saying he is taking fluids orally and intravenously. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Bahrain to consider transferring al-Khawaja to Denmark on humanitarian grounds. The official Bahrain News Agency said an appeals hearing for al-Khawaja is scheduled for April 23. | CNN; Daily Star; Washington Post; AP; Al Jazeera

Bahrain's Interior Ministry reported that an explosion in Ekar, an area south of Manama, injured at least seven Bahraini policemen, three critically. An Interior Ministry spokesman said that the blast was a home-made bomb that exploded during a protest and stated that the Bahraini government considers the explosion an act of terrorism. On April 10, the Bahraini authorities arrested four people in a raid in Ekar, the opposition said. | Washington Post; Euronews; Al Jazeera; BBC

APRIL 9

On April 8, Bahrain’s Supreme Judicial Council turned down a request to transfer jailed Abdulhadi al-Khawaja who is on a nearly two-month hunger strike to Denmark. Al-Khawaja also holds Danish nationality, state news agency BNA reported. On April 9, al-Khawaja’s lawyer Mohammed al-Jeshi said that he fears that al-Khawaja died as the Bahraini authorities turned down repeated requests to contact him. | Gulf News; Washington Post; AFP

The official Bahrain News Agency reported that Bahrain’s military, along with the United States and eight other countries, took part in major air force exercises that included at least 100 warplanes. | Saudi Gazette

APRIL 6

Former world champion Damon Hill has called on Formula 1 bosses to reconsider going ahead with this month's controversial Bahrain Grand Prix and warned that the sport's image could suffer if the race is held. | Reuters; AP

Authorities in Bahrain arrested Zainab Al-Khawaja, the daughter of imprisoned human rights activist and hunger striker Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja; Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has been transferred to a hospital due to deteriorating health. | CNN; Al Jazeera

APRIL 4

Imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 50 days has been moved to a prison clinic for medical observation and care; he is serving a life sentence for his role in last year’s uprising. | Washington Post; AFP

Bahrain’s economy is battered from inside and out due to months of turmoil and the global financial crisis. | Al Jazeera

APRIL 3

Bahrain's Court of Cassation on said that it would announce on April 23 its verdict in the case of 21 defendants held on charges of attempting to topple the state regime. The defendants, including activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, were initially sentenced by the National Safety Court of First Instance in June. Al-Khawaja’s condition is critical as he enters the 55th day of his hunger strike. | Gulf News; CNN

An investigation has been launched into a Molotov cocktail attack on two police patrols near Buri. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior reported that some of the policemen were injured. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain’s culture minister is facing demands for her dismissal after calling conservative lawmakers “not real men” for opposing an annual arts festival under way in Manana. | Washington Post; Gulf News

APRIL 2

A Bahraini man, Ahmed Ismael Abdulsamad, died on March 31 after being shot during an anti-government march a day earlier, his relative and the opposition group al-Wefaq reported, blaming his death on what they described as loyalist militia members. | Reuters; CNN; Telegraph; Bloomberg

Bahraini lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi said that Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was released on April 1 after hours of police interrogation and could face trial on charges of taking part in anti-government protests. | Boston; CNN

Founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, currently serving a life sentence for his role in the protests, was taken to hospital on March 30 after having been on hunger strike for over 50 days, his lawyer said. | Reuters; Bahrain Center for Human Rights; Democracy Now!; CNN

MARCH 30

Amnesty International urged Bahrain to free leading human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja immediately because of fears the “activist is at risk of death” after more than 50 days on a hunger strike. | AP; Ahram

Bahrain's Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdulla al- Khalifa confirmed that security had been restored to the country, but expressed concern about continuing attacks against Bahrain’s police force. | Trade Arabia; KUNA; Gulf Daily News

MARCH 29

Bahrain's government has not carried out critical recommendations by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry that looked into extensive human rights violations during the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 2011, Human Rights Watch said, citing the imprisonment of activists and the absence of an investigation into the role of high-ranking officials in torture and killings. | Reuters

The New York Times published an article highlighting the continued sectarian tensions on university campuses in Bahrain. | New York Times

The Formula One race scheduled for next month in Bahrain will create more than 3,000 temporary jobs and generate $500 million for the economy, Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority said. | Bloomberg

MARCH 28

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court threw out the case against two policemen accused of beating anti-government protesters to death with a pipe. The court ruled the Public Prosecution had failed to investigate the allegations or follow proper procedures. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain summoned the Lebanese charge d’affaires in Manama to protest recent statements made by Lebanon’s Speaker of the parliament Nabih Berri at a photography exhibition in Beirut. Bahrain’s foreign ministry said that Berri’s patronage of the event was a blatant and unjustified interference in Bahrain’s domestic affairs and constituted a step backwards in the fraternal relations between the two countries. | Gulf News

MARCH 27

Ali Singace, a Bahraini teenager, reported that three men who appeared to be plainclothes detectives abducted him last week, dragged him into a garage and beat him into unconsciousness after he refused to spy on youths involved in clashes with riot police. The report casts suspicion on reforms in Bahrain after public prosecutors accused him of filing a false report about the incident. | Reuters

MARCH 26

Bahraini police clashed with anti-government protesters in Sitra where residents demonstrated against the Formula One race scheduled for Bahrain next month. | Reuters

A Bahraini court acquitted five members of a teachers union who had been charged with undermining national stability by participating in last year’s protests. The union's chairman, Mehdi Abu Deeb, and his deputy, Jalila al-Salman, reportedly were not among those acquitted. | Reuters

MARCH 23

Bahraini security services fired tear gas at about 100 protesters who tried to march to Manama's Pearl Square. | AP

MARCH 22

Bahrain is installing video cameras in police stations to try to clean up its human rights image, but activists say off-camera abuse continues in other locations. | Reuters

Bahrain's Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs condemned acts of vandalism on the shrine of Shaikh Sasaa Bin Sohan and pledged to repair the shrine. | Gulf News

MARCH 21

The Bahraini government announced that it will appoint an Implementation Minister, along with a support team, to follow up and ensure that the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry are realized. | Gulf News; BNA

Bahrain will go ahead with the prosecution of 20 medics who treated wounded protesters during last year’s uprising, despite an earlier statement suggesting 15 of the cases would be dropped, Bahrain’s justice minister said. | Reuters

MARCH 20

Bahrain’s King Hamad called on all segments of the Bahraini society to “assume their national responsibility and help the country move past the events that hit it last year.” King Hamad said the country had made significant progress in reforming its security sector, judiciary, social policy, and media since the unrest but now needs to prove it can put them into practice. | Gulf News; Reuters; Trade Arabia

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for UNHCR, called on Bahrain to investigate reports of protesters and bystanders killed by security forces. The announcement came as Bahrain's king announced progress in making reforms, and an opposition member said new protests are scheduled for Friday. | CNN; Washington Post

MARCH 19

Bahrain’s main opposition groups released a statement calling on Bahraini authorities to free all political prisoners and reinstate all protesters purged from jobs before possible talks. | Washington Post; Business Recorder

Bahraini security forces clashed with youths in the village of al-Muqsha after the funeral of Jaafer Jassem Ridh, a protester who reportedly died after inhaling tear gas fired by riot police, witnesses said. Al-Wefaq also reported that another Bahraini, Sabri Mahfud, died after inhaling tear gas, without elaborating on the circumstances or date of the incident. | AFP

MARCH 16

Protesters clashed with riot police in villages across Bahrain on March 15, the anniversary of a government crackdown last year on the pro-democracy uprising. Witnesses said youths and police faced off in Shi'ite areas including Sitra, Diraz, Malkiya, Saar, Jidhafs, Tubli and Bilad al-Qadeem, all districts outside or on the edge of Manama. Two policemen were injured when a homemade bomb exploded in Sitra. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed the incident and said they have rounded up some suspects linked to the attack. | Reuters; Shanghai Daily; MSNBC

Lawyer Jalila al-Sayed said that all 20 Bahraini medical professionals convicted on uprising-related charges face retrial. Al-Sayed said that a judge revoked last week’s decision to proceed with only five cases and refer the other 15 to a medical disciplinary board. The next hearing has been set for March 20. | Washington Post; ABC News

MARCH 15

Bahrain issued a new code of conduct for police officers force requiring adherence to ten principles, including limited use of force and zero tolerance toward torture and mistreatment, Bahrain’s Information Affairs Agency said. | Bloomberg; BNA

Human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is in the fifth week of his hunger strike and his situation is reportedly deteriorating. Family members say al-Khawaja has lost significant weight and can barely stand. | Al Jazeera; Chicago Tribune

MARCH 14

On March 18, Bahrain’s Justice Ministry will start receiving civil settlement applications to compensate victims of violence from last year’s mass protests. | Bloomberg

Kuwaiti national Ali al-Ali was sentenced to one month in prison on charges of taking part in demonstrations in Bahrain. The court said that al-Ali will be deported after serving the term and barred from entering Bahrain for the next three years. | Gulf News

MARCH 13

In a decision over the weekend, Bahrain's Attorney General dropped criminal charges against 15 medics involved in events at the Salmaniya Medical Complex during February and March 2011 and referred their cases to the Medical Disciplinary Board. Bahrain's Public Prosecutor, Abdul Rahma Al-Sayyed, said he would present evidence against the five remaining defendants. | Market Watch

MARCH 12

Police in Bahrain fired tear gas at protesters following the funeral for 22-year-old Fadhel Mirza, whose family claims he was fatally injured during clashes on March 1. Hundreds of people marched on March 10 toward a police station after the burial of Mirza, who died early Saturday after suffering head injuries from a tear gas canister. One day earlier, Bahrain’s Royal Court said that the peaceful rallies at al-Fateh and in the Northern Governorate on March 9 were an indication of the freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution. | Washington Post; Gulf News

Reporters Without Borders released its annual “Enemies of the Internet” report, adding Bahrain to the list, citing a news blackout and harassment of bloggers in an attempt to quell a yearlong protest movement in the monarchy. | Washington Post; RSF

Cherif Bassiouni, who headed the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, told the Wall Street Journal that Bahrain's regime had not yet acted on his recommendation for the investigation of senior officials involved in the deaths or torture of protesters. | Wall Street Journal

MARCH 9

Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators filled Budaiya Highway in Bahrain, responding to a call by the country’s leading Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim to participate in the protest, organized by the opposition group al-Wefaq. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry wrote on Twitter that the security forces were provoked by some of the protestors throwing rocks at the police. Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets for protests, organized by Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, to condemn Bahrain for crushing its uprising. | Gulf News; Bloomberg; Al Jazeera; NOW Lebanon

MARCH 7

Bahrain's lower chamber called on the Bahraini government to recognize the Syrian National Council as the representative of the Syrian people. | Gulf News

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported that security forces arrested a group of protesters who attacked a police patrol in Sitra, after four policemen suffered severe burns when demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at the patrol on March 3. | Bloomberg

Bahrain’s parliament voted to veto a royal decree that would increase the Bahraini government's share from 20 percent to 50 percent in the revenues of Tamkeen, the country’s labor fund. | Trade Arabia

MARCH 6

Businesses in Bahrain have lost up to $800 million over the past 12 months due to civil unrest in the country, according to a report by Gulf Daily News. | al-Arabiya; Arabian Business

The Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) called for early elections in May in a bid to boost unity between journalists, after rifts developed following the unrest in Bahrain over the past year. | Gulf News

MARCH 5

Bahrain is setting up an independent high media council that will provide advice on media draft laws, monitor all media for possible incitement to rights violations, and look into complaints against the media in response to recommendations made by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). | Gulf News

In response to Amnesty's decision to cancel its trip to Bahrain because of visa restrictions, the Bahraini government promised to grant Amnesty International additional visas for a fact-finding mission but will not allow the rights group to remain during weekends when clashes typically escalate. Human Rights First, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Physicians for Human Rights sent a letter to the Bahraini minister of human rights and social development, urging the government to reconsider the five-day limit currently placed on observer visas. | San Francisco Chronicle; BNA; Human Rights First

MARCH 2

The Bahraini government imposed restrictions on groups attempting to monitor reforms and asked the United Nations human rights office to delay the March visit of it special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez until July. Amnesty International said it had cancelled a visit to Bahrain after Bahrain's Human Rights and Social Development Ministry announced new restrictions limiting organizations to five-day trips which must be arranged through a Bahraini sponsor. | Al Jazeera; Reuters

MARCH 1

Bahrain will establish an independent ombudsman that will conduct investigations into allegations made against the police, a move recommended by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. | Gulf News; Trade Arabia

FEBRUARY 29

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights called on international human rights organizations to intervene to secure the release of activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja who is entering the 21st day of his hunger strike. | BYSHR

FEBRUARY 28

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch said that Bahrain has routinely convicted hundreds of opposition activists and others of politically motivated charges in unfair trials and should void the convictions in trials that fell far short of international fair trial standards. | Human Rights Watch; Daily News Egypt; Sky News

Bahrain formed an investigative unit to determine accountability for violence during the protests in the country, Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority announced. The new unit will be led by a senior public prosecutor and supported by independent criminal investigators and forensic experts.| Bloomberg; Trade Arabia; Arabian Business

The trial of the 20 Bahrain medics who were detained, tortured, and sentenced to long prison terms after a military court trial again had their appeal hearing postponed until April 30. | Human Rights First

FEBRUARY 27

In a recent statement, the Bahraini government said that almost all the verdicts issued by military courts against people involved in protests were now being handled by civilian courts. The statement also said that 11 people jailed by military courts would be freed. | Chicago Tribune

A Bahraini court postponed to March 5 the trial of Kuwaiti national Ali al-Anzi, who is charged with breaking assembly laws. The time will be used to obtain a report on the medical condition of al-Anzi, the court said. Local authorities said that 17-year-old al-Anzi was arrested on February 12 as he took part in an unlawful gathering. | Gulf News

FEBRUARY 24

Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is in the third week of a hunger strike in prison. Since February 22, there has been a sit-in protest in front of the UN office to condemn the international community's silence towards the human rights violations in Bahrain. | BCHR

Fearful of arrest when seeking treatment in Bahrain's hospitals, injured protesters are turning for help to medics who have been forced underground, a Bahraini doctor told the BBC.  Salmaniya Medical Complex has seen a dramatic fall in emergency room numbers since last February. | BBC

FEBRUARY 23

Formula One teams and sponsors have no concerns about racing in Bahrain this year and the Bahrain Grand Prix is definitely on despite continuing unrest, Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone said. Ecclestone added, however, that officials in Bahrain would take extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the Formula One. | Reuters; Guardian

FEBRUARY 22

A group of Bahrainis organized a rally against dialogue with the opposition, arguing that no dialogue can be held while the security situation remains unstable. | Reuters

FEBRUARY 21

Bahraini police used water cannons and tear gas to break up a march chanting anti-government slogans after a funeral. The clashes took place in Jidhafs, just outside Manama, after the funeral of Hussein al-Baqali, 19, whose family said he died this week from burns sustained during a tire-burning at anti-government protests. The Interior Ministry said he set himself alight with intent to commit suicide. | Reuters

Zainab al-Khawaja, a leading pro-democracy activist in Bahrain, has been released from detention, a week after being arrested at a rally. She was charged with being involved in an illegal gathering. | BBC

FEBRUARY 17

Fourteen protesters, including 12 women, serving six-month prison sentences in Bahrain have been freed on bail ahead of a final decision on their sentence by the court of cessation, Amnesty International reported. | Daily Star

A Bahraini court of appeal acquitted Naser al-Raas, a Canadian of Kuwaiti origin who was given a five-year jail term for taking part in protests in Bahrain a year ago, his lawyer said. | AFP

Bahrain’s lower chamber postponed a debate on amendments to the constitution by one month. The lawmakers agreed to refer the amendments to a parliamentary legislative committee for further study. | Gulf News

FEBRUARY 16

Bahrain’s opposition says 43 people were arrested on February 15 and police could be seen firing teargas, apparently at random, into residential areas. The interior ministry released a statement saying two policemen were seriously injured from Molotov cocktails. Bahrain’s opposition reiterated its demand for fundamental change in the country’s ruling system, saying direct talks with the king are needed to resolve tensions. Last week, opposition group al-Wefaq held informal talks with Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, head of the ruler’s court. | Financial Times

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Bahrain and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and for Bahraini officials to respect their international human rights obligations. | Washington Post; Bikya Masr; NOW Lebanon

FEBRUARY 15

Bahraini police fired tear gas and birdshot at pro-democracy protesters in clashes that raged through the night. Activists reported that more than 120 protesters have been wounded this week, and opposition group al-Wefaq reported that arrests totaled around 150, although some were later released. | Reuters; AFP; BBC

Bahraini authorities deported six Americans for breaking their visa requirement by participating in the ongoing protests in the country. | Gulf News; AFP; Bikya Masr

On the one-year anniversary of the uprising in Bahrain, the hacker group Anonymous took down the website of teargas manufacturer Combined Systems Inc (CSI). Anonymous accused CSI of being a war profiteer that sells “mad chemical weapons to militaries and cop shops around the world.” Anonymous also posted CSI’s employee and client data online. | New York Times; Washington Post; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

FEBRUARY 14

Security forces in Bahrain fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters as the protesters attempted to return to the site of Manama's Pearl Roundabout on the anniversary of last year's pro-democracy demonstrations. Mohammed al-Maskati, president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, reported that Bahraini security forces arrested 12 people and are taking “harsh measures” to prevent protesters from leaving their villages. | Foreign Policy; Wall Street Journal; BBC

FEBRUARY 13

Bahraini police clashed with protesters, witnesses said, as public security chief Major General Tariq al-Hassan warned citizens not to respond to calls by activists to mark the February 14 anniversary of the anti-government uprising. The interior ministry said a demonstration authorized for the opposition group al-Wefaq had become “no longer peaceful.” The Coalition of the Youth of February 14th Revolution urged sympathizers to march to Manama to commemorate the uprising’s anniversary. | AFP; Bloomberg; New York Times

Bahrain deported two American rights activists Huwaida Arraf and Radhika Sainath after they joined an anti-government demonstration in order to report on the protests as part of a group called Witness Bahrain. | Gulf News; Christian Science Monitor

In an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa dismissed the country's opposition movement as disunited and said the threat of Iran had compelled him to call in foreign troops to halt protests. He also said the existence of protesters calling for his overthrow was a “problem for national unity” and an example of “bad manners.” | National; Reuters

FEBRUARY 10

The Washington Post reported that tens of thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters are heading to ‘Freedom Square,’ a lot in the village of Miqsha, which they seek to occupy for the one-year anniversary of the uprising in Bahrain. | Washington Post

FEBRUARY 9

On February 8, AFP reported that jailed Bahraini activists ended their hunger strike after eight days of refusing to eat in protest of a crackdown on demonstrations. Jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja has reportedly restarted his hunger strike ahead of the February 14 anniversary of Bahrain’s pro-democracy uprising, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said. | AFP; Reuters; Guardian

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner met with Bahrain’s Human Rights and Social Development Minister and Acting Health Minister Fatima al-Blushi. He urged the Bahraini government to resume talks aimed at ending unrest in country and raised concerns about possible escalating violence before the uprising's one-year anniversary. | USA Today; BNA

Formula 1 has been urged to call off the Bahrain Grand Prix by a UK group of seven Lords and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas in the wake of continuing unrest in the country. | BBC

FEBRUARY 8

Bahrain has turned down several journalists for visas to visit the country on the one-year anniversary of anti-government protests next week, telling them it has gotten too many requests. The rejected journalists include New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, along with correspondents for the AFP, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and other outlets. | Los Angeles Times; Daily Star

In addition to the release of Fadhila al-Mubarak, Bahraini authorities also freed activist Naser al-Raas, a Kuwait-born Canadian citizen who was serving a five-year term for breaking Bahrain's illegal-assembly laws. | BBC; AFP

FEBRUARY 7

In connection with the violence and arrests that occurred in Bahrain over the last year, the International Committee of the Red Cross has started visiting detainees in the country. | ICRC; UPI

Fadhila al-Mubarak, a Bahraini woman who Amnesty International said was jailed for listening to a revolutionary song in her car, was released and given a hero's welcome by a 10,000-strong opposition rally, rights activist Said Yousef al-Muhafda said. | Reuters

The Gulf Cooperation Council will soon recognize the Free Syrian Army as the sole and legitimate representative of the Syrian people, a high-ranking official in Bahrain told the Saudi Gazette. | Saudi Gazette

FEBRUARY 6

Thousands of Bahrainis began a week-long rally in the Bahraini village Meqsha, ten days ahead of the first anniversary of pro-democracy protests. Although opposition group al-Wefaq said that the protest would last a week, Bahrain’s interior ministry announced that the demonstration had been authorized for two days only. | Al Jazeera; Kuwait Times; Blottr

FEBRUARY 3

During his visit to Bahrain, head of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Cherif Bassiouni will meet with representatives of Bahraini political societies. | Gulf News Daily; Shanghai Daily

FEBRUARY 2

Head of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Cherif Bassiouni returned to Bahrain to assess how far the Bahraini government has followed through on reforms he recommended in the BICI report. | Reuters; BNA; Washington Post

Societe Generale's private banking arm announced plans to close its office in Bahrain. | Reuters

FEBRUARY 1

Bahraini police fired tear gas on hunger strikers protesting against their detention, the head of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), Mohammed al-Maskati, said, adding that one hunger striker was admitted to the hospital. An interior ministry statement said the hunger strikers were being properly cared for. | AFP; Reuters; BBC

Reuters published an article examining the impact of the protests on Bahrain’s economy. It states that Bahrain's economy is rebounding on the back of heavy government spending and support from its neighbors, but a full recovery may be out of reach if anti-government protests continue. | Reuters

JANUARY 31

Bahrain's Court of Appeals postponed the trial of 20 medical staff to February 27 to hear witnesses and form a medical panel that will look into the allegations of the defendants that they had been ill-treated. In addition, the trial of five security men on charges of torturing two people to death and not reporting the case to the competent authorities was postponed to February 26. | Gulf News; Gulf News

Amnesty International called on the Bahraini authorities to release Fadhila Mubarak, the first woman activist to be convicted over her involvement in pro-reform demonstrations. Fadhila Mubarak’s 18-month prison sentence for protesting and listening to “revolutionary” music was upheld by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation. | Bikya Masr

JANUARY 30

Bahrain’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa submitted a proposal to Bahrain’s parliament calling for tougher laws that could bring up to fifteen years in prison for an attack on security personnel or their families. The chamber is dominated by pro-government lawmakers. Bahraini activists convicted for taking part in demonstrations announced that they will begin a hunger strike in protest.| Washington Post; Bloomberg; AFP; Reuters

Josh Rogin of Foreign Policy reported that this week Obama administration officials told several congressional offices that they will move forward with a new and different package of arms sales without any formal notification to the public. The administration refuted this claim. | Foreign Policy; Salon

JANUARY 27

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry denied opposition claims that security forces were responsible for the death of Mohammed Ibrahim Yacoub, an anti-government protester. The police claim that the man died from natural causes, while the Bahrain Center for Human Rights reported that Yacoub was one of four protestors killed by police. | CNN; Bikya Masr

The Bahraini government announced the structure of the National Compensation and Redress Fund set up in September to compensate those affected morally or physically during the unrest. It also announced the process by which people can seek redress. | Gulf News

Simeon Kerr of the Financial Times reports that there has been radicalization of Bahrain's opposition movement. Analysts say that while the largest opposition group, al-Wefaq, remains committed to peaceful protest, the more radical February 14 youth movement is adopting violent resistance. | Gulf News

JANUARY 26

Bahrain's Interior Ministry stated that a man detained by police over “acts of sabotage” died in the hospital while in police custody, without elaborating on the cause of death. | Reuters; Washington Post

Bahrain must investigate more than a dozen deaths that followed the misuse of tear gas by security forces, Amnesty International said after another person was seriously injured by a tear gas canister in Manama this week. | Amnesty International

JANUARY 25

Security forces in Bahrain fired tear gas and stun grenades after opposition groups staged a march into the center of Manama. Bahraini authorities detained groups of protesters for closing several streets and using metal rods and Molotov cocktails in confrontations with police, the state-run Bahrain News Agency said. The government also reported that at least 41 policemen were injured in clashes with demonstrators that took place elsewhere on January 24. | Washington Post; Bloomberg

Bahrain's Constitutional Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of provisions in the National Safety Act, ruling that King Hamad acted lawfully when he declared a quasi-state of emergency in March 2011 ahead of a crackdown on protests. | al-Ahram; Gulf News

JANUARY 24

The U.S. State Department said it is relocating American Embassy employees in Bahrain who live near an area that has seen an increase in demonstrations to safer neighborhoods. The United States has also warned Americans traveling to Bahrain of potential unrest in the country as the anniversary of a failed pro-democracy uprising approaches.| Gulf News; Reuters; Washington Post

A spokesman for Bahrain's ministry of labor, Mohammed Ali al-Ansari, told the BBC that its officials had intervened on behalf of employees of the venue for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Mr. Ansari said the ministry had always taken the position that the sackings were unfair, and that BIC's managers had been "very cooperative" at a meeting on January 22. | BBC

JANUARY 23

Bahrain’s race circuit, the venue for its April Grand Prix, has failed to reinstate staff fired during last year’s uprising, despite a promise by Bahrain to rehire those suspended. Just three of the 29 people fired during the protests have returned to work this month, media reports said, with some refusing to accept terms offered by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). | Arabian Business

A girls' elementary school in the west of Bahrain was targeted in the twenty-fifth arson attack on a Bahrain’s schools in four months, the education ministry said. | Gulf News

JANUARY 19

Anti-government protesters in Bahrain set off pillars of black smoke from burning tires in apparent attempts to embarrass Bahraini officials on the opening day of the country’s air show. | Washington Post

JANUARY 18

Bahrain’s National Security Agency plans to implement a training program to bring its practices in line with United Nations standards. The training will start on January 22 and will be provided to all staff, an official source said. | Gulf News

Witnesses say Bahraini riot police chased anti-government protesters out of the center of the country’s capital. The confrontation came a day after authorities denied the opposition group, al-Wefaq, permission to hold protests in Manama and the day before Bahrain hosts an air show that runs through Saturday. | AP

JANUARY 17

Bahrain’s King Hamad announced constitutional amendments that will give the elected parliament greater powers of scrutiny over the government, but opposition said that the king's amendments did not reflect their demands for a full constitutional monarchy. In a nationally televised address, the king announced measures that give the parliament the right to approve cabinets proposed by the monarchy and grant legislators authority to question and remove cabinet ministers. | New York Times; VOA; Al Jazeera; UPI

Bahraini authorities denied charges that the police are linked to the death of Yusuf Ahmad Abbas. | Gulf News

JANUARY 13

Police used tear gas and stun grenades to break up an anti-government march in Bahrain's capital, Manama; organizers say that more than 3,000 people took part, in spite of a heavy security presence. | BBC; Human Rights Watch

Bahrain is ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally in economic freedom, according to the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom, published annually by the Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation. | Bahrain News Agency

JANUARY 12

Bahrain's economy is capable of making up for the losses it incurred last year, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry affirmed, adding that its investment climate is still the most competitive in the region. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain says it will rebuild 12 Shiite mosques demolished by authorities during unrest against the Gulf nation's Sunni-led monarchy. | MSNBC

JANUARY 11

A Bahraini court postponed the trial of five policemen in a torture-linked death case to January 30 to appoint lawyers; two policemen were charged with causing the activists’ death while the other three were detained after they failed to report that the death resulted from abuse. | Gulf News; BBC

JANUARY 10

Bahrain denied entry to Richard Sollom, deputy president of the U.S.-based Physicians for Human Rights; while authorities gave no reason for refusing to allow him into the country, Sollom charged that Bahrain authorities do not want international observers at the trial of doctors and nurses who treated injured protesters. | Gulf News

The trial of doctors and other medical staff who were sentenced to prison after they treated pro-democracy demonstrators injured during a government crackdown last year has resumed. | Voice of America

The Shura Council launched a national reconciliation initiative, which includes spreading the message of unity and gathering suggestions from the government, civil society organizations and individuals on how to resolve the key issues fuelling divisions. | Gulf Daily News

JANUARY 9

The court of cassation in Bahrain overturned a ruling by the court of appeals that sentenced two Bahraini anti-government protesters to execution; the decision will require the court of appeals to re-examine the case and issue a new verdict for the two protesters. | Al Jazeera

Constitutional amendments granting more powers to parliament have been drawn up by the government; under the amendments the parliament would play a bigger role in questioning ministers, discussing public issues and setting terms for running in national elections. | Gulf Daily News

JANUARY 6

The Bahrain Public Prosecution is following up on 107 cases of death, torture and abuse of civilians with 48 law enforcement officers put under investigation; the Ministry of Interior also plans on recruiting 500 police officers, men and women, from all community segments in the five governorates in order to improve the human rights record. | Khaleej Times

JANUARY 5

Bahrain’s Education Ministry reported that several schools have recently been targeted by unidentified assailants who hurled Molotov cocktails or set fire to school facilities. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. | Gulf News

JANUARY 4

Two British lawyers, Daniel Bethlehem and Jeffrey Jowell, have been appointed to assist Bahrain in the implementation of the recommendations on human rights featured in the final report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). | BNA; Trade Arabia

Iran’s Press TV reported that Fakhria Jassim, a 55-year-old Bahraini woman, was killed in Manama on January 3 after inhaling a lethal dose of tear gas. The woman had been participating in anti-regime demonstrations when security forces fired a massive amount of tear gas at the protesters, the report said. | Bikya Masr

The Bahraini government awarded Nassej, a local real estate and construction company, a $551 million contract to build over 4,000 affordable housing units and new homes in a bid to ease the country’s low-cost housing shortage. | Gulf News; Arabian Business; National

JANUARY 3

Witnesses say riot police in Bahrain fired tear gas and stun grenades as they clashed on January 1 with hundreds of opposition supporters after the funeral for Syed Hashem Saeed Eisa, a 15-year-old protester, killed a day earlier. According to al-Wefaq, the largest opposition society, the teenager was killed by the police in Sitra. However, the general director of the Central Governorate said the boy was among a group of rioters attacking the police. Riot police also fired tear gas to disperse several hundred protesters on December 30. | Gulf News; VOA; Washington Post

Sheikh bin Rashid al-Khalifa, Bahrain’s Supreme Judicial Council's deputy chairman and president of the Court of Cassation announced that it is creating a judicial panel to review some military court verdicts related to protests last year, the state-run Bahrain News Agency reported. Ali Al Buainain, the public prosecutor, announced that 43 cases, including charges against 334 people who were detained for offences linked to freedom of speech and expression, have been dismissed. | CNN; BNA; Gulf News

Bahrain’s top prosecutor, Nawaf Hamza, said in a statement that two unnamed officers have been charged with torture and mistreatment and three others with negligence for failure to report the incident. The five police officers will be put on trial in connection with the alleged torture of a detainee who later died in custody. | Gulf News; NPR; Washington Post

DECEMBER 20

The Bahrain News Agency reported that King Hamad issued a decree ordering government agencies to reinstate 180 government employees who were fired on suspicion of participating in opposition rallies by January 1. Bahraini labor groups claim up to 2,500 people were purged from jobs during the unrest. The government puts the number at 1,623. | Washington Post

Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem reported on Twitter that that Zainab al-Khawaja and Masooma Ahmad will be released shortly. | Enduring America; Twitter

DECEMBER 19

Bahraini pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja has been arrested, her sister Maryam al-Khawaja told CNN. Zainab’s lawyer said she has been charged with having an illegal gathering, assaulting a female officer and inciting hatred against Bahrain's leaders. Bahraini officials confirmed her arrest in a written statement. | CNN; New York Times; ABC

Bahrain's interior ministry announced that its Legal Affairs Department has launched an investigation and taken legal procedures against some ministry personnel suspected to be involved in attacks on protesters. | Gulf News

The trial of Zainab Alkhawaja, a prominent pro-democracy activist in Bahrain, is scheduled for December 20. | Bahrain Center for Human Rights

DECEMBER 16

Bahraini pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja has been arrested, her sister Maryam al-Khawaja told CNN. Zainab’s lawyer said she has been charged with having an illegal gathering, assaulting a female officer and inciting hatred against Bahrain's leaders. Bahraini officials confirmed her arrest in a written statement. | CNN; New York Times; ABC

DECEMBER 15

Bahraini security forces used tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters protesting alongside a highway leading to Manama. The clashes erupted during a visit by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner, head of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. | AP

Bahrain's foreign minister denied rumors that King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa met opposition figures Ali Salman, leader of al-Wefaq Islamic Society, and Abdul Lateef al-Mahmood, leader of the National Unity Rally, who were in London at the same time as the king. | Gulf News

DECEMBER 13

Prime Minister David Cameron urged Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, to implement concrete reforms, and offered UK support. | BBC

Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, was quoted by the British newspaper Telegraph as saying that some members of the opposition in Bahrain are being trained by Syria. | AP

DECEMBER 12

King Hamad al-Khalifa arrived in London for talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron. At the same time, Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of al-Wefaq told the BBC he is willing to sit down with the country's king to discuss “serious” political reform. | BBC

Jawad Fairouz, a member of al-Wefaq, stated that there is evidence that the death of a five-day-old girl was caused by inhalation of tear gas fired by riot police. A more detailed coroner’s report has been requested to expand on the cause of death, which has initially been described as blood poisoning, he said. | Financial Times

Bahrain’s National Commission, established by King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa, held its first meeting. The commission, chaired by Ali Saleh Al Saleh, includes 18 members. | Gulf News

DECEMBER 8

Bahrain’s riot police reportedly fired tear gas to prevent demonstrators from reaching Pearl Square during recent protests. | Bloomberg; Reuters

Bahrain’s General Attorney Abdulrahman al-Sayyed called for the dismissal of the legal proceedings against over 100 athletes tried on charges of inciting for the hatred of the regime. Bahrain News Agency reported that the king officially forgave the athletes who insulted him. | Gulf News; CBS; Bloomberg

Bahrain’s interior ministry initially reported that it had destroyed a suspicious package at Bahrain's airport containing explosives but later amended its report, stating that the package contained a number of tools that can be used to make a bomb. | Telegraph; Reuters; BBC

DECEMBER 7

Bahrain's Health Ministry reported that Zahra Saleh, who was seriously injured during an anti-government protest in November, died of her injuries. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior blamed protesters for her death, but rights activists expressed doubt over the official explanation. | Fox News; Ahram

King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa granted Bahraini nationality to 335 people born to Bahraini mothers and foreign fathers. | Gulf News

DECEMBER 6

On December 4, a Bahraini military court sentenced three athletes to a year in prison for participating in anti-government protests: Bahrain’s national soccer team goalkeeper Ali Said, bodybuilder and several times Asian championship gold medalist Tareq al-Fursani, and national basketball team player Hassan al-Dirazi. | Eurasia Review

DECEMBER 5

A canister containing what Bahrain officials described as highly explosive material was ignited near the British Embassy in Manama. No injuries or serious damage was reported. Though there was no conclusive evidence that the British Embassy was the target, interior ministry officials said they have increased security at other diplomatic missions. | Gulf News; New York Times

DECEMBER 2

Bahrain is recruiting John Timoney, a former police chief of Miami, to help reform law enforcement, said the country's interior ministry. Timoney will head a team of U.S. and British advisers. | Gulf News; BBC

DECEMBER 1

Bahrain’s National Commission set up by King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry will seek local and international expertise, one of its members said. | Gulf News; Examiner

NOVEMBER 30

Bahraini MP Osama Muhannad, who was suspended from parliament, insisted on attending a recent meeting despite his suspension causing other members to walk out in protest. The walkout caused the weekly session to be cancelled. | Gulf News

NOVEMBER 29

Bahrain's King Hamad named Adel Bin Khalifa Hamad al-Fadhel as the new head of the state security apparatus, replacing Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah. Sheikh Khalifa was made secretary general of Bahrain's Supreme Defense Council and a national security advisor to the king. | Gulf News

A Bahrain court postponed the trial of 61 Bahraini athletes and sports officials accused of links to anti-government protests until January 4. | Washington Post

Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the opposition group al-Wefaq, called for the Bahraini government to resign after an independent inquiry found evidence of systematic rights abuses during a crackdown on pro-democracy protests this year. | Daily Star

NOVEMBER 21

16-year-old Ali Yousif Al-Satrawi was killed after a police vehicle crashed into him during protests in Manama. | Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Authorities in Bahrain announced that prosecutors have charged 20 members of the Bahraini security forces for alleged abuse of protesters during the uprising earlier this year. | ABC News

Bahrain's government stated that it looked forward to publication of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report on November 23 as “an independent and honest assessment" of the events in the country. Amnesty International said that the publication of the BICI report on the protests in Bahrain earlier this year is an opportunity for the government to deliver justice for the victims of human rights violations. | Gulf News; Amnesty

NOVEMBER 18

Thousands of protesters calling for greater rights staged demonstrations in A'ali, about 1.5 miles southeast of Manama. Some of the protesters carried tents, suggesting an attempt to occupy the site. Security forces did not make an immediate attempt to intervene. | AP

NOVEMBER 16

The Arabic Network of Human Rights Information (ANHRI), based in Egypt, condemned Bahrain’s government for its accusations of slander, libel, and physical abuse against journalist and activist, Reem Khalifa. | Bikya Masr

NOVEMBER 15

Bahrain's lower chamber of parliament called for the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador in Manama. | Gulf News

NOVEMBER 14

The Bahraini public prosecutor's office reported that a terror cell with links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and plans to attack high profile sites in Manama was discovered and dismantled. An Iranian deputy foreign minister rejected Bahrain’s allegations, and a lawyer for two accused men said reports they had confessed were not true. | Washington Post; VOA; Guardian; al-Arabiya

Bahrain's Court of Appeals postponed the trial of Ali al-Taweel and Ali Shamlooh for the killing of a policeman to January 2. On September 29, the National Safety Court of First Instance sentenced al-Taweel to death and Shamlooh to life in prison for allegedly killing policeman Ahmad al-Muraissi. | Gulf News

Bahrain's interior ministry denied allegations that police kidnapped Ashwaq al-Muqabi, who was accused of participating in a demonstration and sentenced to six months in prison, while she was undergoing treatment in a hospital. Authorities said they made the arrest after she was cleared by her doctor to leave the hospital following her treatment for sickle-cell anemia. | Gulf News; Bahrain Freedom Movement

NOVEMBER 8

One of Bahrain's most senior clerics Sheikh Issa Qasim condemned the Bahraini regime's crackdown on anti-government protesters during a ceremony for the Eid Al-Adha holiday. | Tehran Times; Bikya Masr

U.S. interests sometimes clash with its support for democracy in the Middle East, Secretary of State Clinton stated in a speech to the National Democratic Institute, but she added that democratic freedoms were the best guarantee of stability in the long run. Clinton said she would continue to push the Bahraini regime to reform. | Reuters; Washington Post; Arabian Business

NOVEMBER 10

The Daily Beast published an interview with Jasim Husain, a leading Bahraini opposition figure, in which Husain dismissed accusations that the Bahraini opposition is a pawn of Iran. Iran’s support for the opposition, Husain said, has been limited to media coverage and rhetorical support. | Daily Beast

NOVEMBER 8

One of Bahrain's most senior clerics Sheikh Issa Qasim condemned the Bahraini regime's crackdown on anti-government protesters during a ceremony for the Eid Al-Adha holiday. | Tehran Times; Bikya Masr

U.S. interests sometimes clash with its support for democracy in the Middle East, Secretary of State Clinton stated in a speech to the National Democratic Institute, but she added that democratic freedoms were the best guarantee of stability in the long run. Clinton said she would continue to push the Bahraini regime to reform. | Reuters; Washington Post; Arabian Business

NOVEMBER 4

The father of Hussein al-Dehi, deputy head of Al-Wefaq political society, died of injuries sustained after riot police attacked him on November 2. Security forces in Bahrain have used tear gas and armored vehicles to push back hundreds of demonstrators that marched on Pearl Square in Manama after Ali Hasan al-Dehi’ s funeral procession. | AFP; Al Jazeera

NOVEMBER 1

Cherif Bassiouni, Head of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, said that he now believes torture was a systematic, though limited, policy during the uprising in Bahrain. The commission is due to present its final report to King Hamad on November 23. | Reuters

OCTOBER 31

A parliamentary committee has endorsed a move to include Bahraini women married to foreigners in all royal benefits accorded to Bahraini families. Under the new law, if passed, the Bahraini woman must be living in Bahrain with her husband in order to qualify for the benefits, the Women and Children's Affairs committee said. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 28

Unidentified saboteurs attacked the house of MP Samira Rajab. The attack came a day after her participation in a debate about Bahrain on Al Jazeera TV. Bahrain’s Human Rights and Social Development Ministry condemned the attack. | Khaleej Times; Gulf Daily News; BNA

British authorities have charged Victor Dahdaleh, a British-Canadian businessman, with bribing officials at Bahrain’s state-owned aluminum manufacturer, including Sheikh Isa bin Ali al-Khalifa, son-in-law and advisor of Bahrain’s prime minister. | Washington Post; Financial Times

OCTOBER 27

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Bahrain to follow through on releasing the results of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and discussed the suspended $53 million U.S. arms sale to Bahrain in a meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa. | AFP; BNA; Reuters; State Department

The vice president of Bahrain’s Teachers Association, Jaleela al-Salman, was arrested a second time and returned to prison on October 18. She had previously been released while she was awaiting her upcoming trial set for December 11. | Women’s News Network

OCTOBER 26

A U.S. Department of Labor fact-finding team wrapped up its firsthand inquest into reports of widespread dismissals of workers with suspected ties to protesters in Bahrain. The Department of Labor has until December to complete a report on a complaint filed by the AFL-CIO, seeking to block the free-trade pact with Bahrain in response to these dismissals. | AP

OCTOBER 25

Bahrain’s parliament will vote in the next few weeks on amendments proposed by the government following the National Dialogue to ensure wider freedom of expression in the Gulf state, Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority said. | Bloomberg

Bahrain's lower chamber started procedures to dismiss MP Osama Muhanna for his unruly behavior and disrespect for fellow MPs. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 24

Bahrain’s High Court of Appeals opened proceedings in a retrial for medical staff convicted on September 29 on charges of weapons possession, inciting sectarian anger and hatred against the regime, obstructing the law, and destroying public property. Officials in Bahrain ordered a retrial earlier this month after sharp international backlash to the verdicts by a special security court. | Al Jazeera; AFP; Washington Post; Gulf News

OCTOBER 21

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa approved a request to extend the deadline for submission of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report until November 23. | Arabian Business

OCTOBER 20

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry delayed its final report on the unrest in Bahrain, saying it needs more time to review thousands of personal accounts and official documents. A statement by the five-member panel said the report has now been delayed until November 23. | Washington Post

A Bahraini court sentenced fourteen people - twelve women and two men - to six months in prison for illegally protesting and causing 'chaos and panic' among shoppers of a Manama mall, reported the state-run news agency. | Monsters and Critics; BNA

OCTOBER 19

In a letter to Ron Wyden, a U.S. Democratic senator, and in public statement, the U.S. State Department said that it will consider the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry before moving ahead with a $53 million arms deal to Bahrain. The commission’s report is due by October 30. | Al Jazeera; Washington Post; BBC; Gulf News

MP Osama Muhanna al-Tamimi, elected earlier this month, could be expelled after fellow MPs endorsed a petition to remove him. Al-Tamimi enraged several lawmakers after he reportedly insulted veteran MP Ghanim al-Buainain. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 18

Stephen Seche, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, confirmed that the United States has finalized its $53 million weapons deal with Bahrain. Seche also stated that the U.S. looking forward to the findings of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. | UPI

The lawyers of defendants being tried on charges of inciting hatred against the Bahraini regime were able to meet their clients and check their physical state on October 17, Bahrain News Agency reported. This included Hassan Mushaima, the secretary-general of Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy, whose family reported was ill. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 17

On October 16, Bahrain’s Lower Criminal Court heard the cases of 139 people accused of participating in different demonstrations and inciting hatred against the regime. | al-Wasat

On October 14, the Obama administration stated that its proposed arms sale to Bahrain is designed only for the kingdom's “external defense,” seeking to soothe concerns the weapons would be used on protesters. | AFP

Opposition leader Hassan Mesheima’s family reported that he is ill and prison authorities have not provided him with proper treatment. Bahrain's Information Authority denied allegations that Mesheima's health was deteriorating and said the opposition figure was not being mistreated in prison. | Gulf News

OCTOBER 13

Five groups, including the Wefaq Islamic society and the Waad society, issued a joint statement, the “Manama Document,” in which they vowed to continue their pro-democracy campaign and called for a transition to a constitutional monarchy. | Reuters

Five Democratic senators wrote a letter asking Secretary of State Clinton to delay $53 million in arms sales to Bahrain, criticizing Bahrain’s human rights violations and resistance to calls for reform. | Washington Post; Arabian Business

OCTOBER 12

Bahrain’s Court for Minor Crimes postponed the trial of former MP Matar Matar to October 31. Matar is charged with disturbing public security and disseminating false news. | al-Wasat

OCTOBER 11

Five Sunni and four Shi'ite parliamentarians formed a new parliamentary bloc, the Bahrain Bloc, the second largest group in parliament and Bahrain's first cross-sect parliamentary alliance. | BNA; Gulf Daily News; Gulf News

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court fined four editors from the independent newspaper Al-Wasat who were accused of publishing false stories about anti-government protests. | Bloomberg; Gulf News

OCTOBER 7

Ahmed Jaber al-Qatan, a 16-year-old protester, died on October 6 after being shot by Bahraini security forces during a demonstration, al-Wefaq society reported. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed the death, saying the youth died of a cardiac arrest, and ordered an investigation. | AFP; Reuters; Gulf News; Washington Post; CNN < br />

Bahrain’s Waad political society, or the National Democratic Action Society, announced that it is organizing a hunger strike in solidarity with detained political activists and opposition leaders, including the society's secretary general Ibrahim Sharif. | Xinhua

OCTOBER 6

Bahrain’s National Safety Court sentenced 33 more anti-government activists on charges that include violence and attempted murder to prison terms ranging from one to 15 years. | AP; Gulf News

Bahrain's Attorney General Ali al-Boainain ordered a retrial in the civilian court of appeals for 20 medical professionals who were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison by the National Safety Court last week. | AP; Gulf News; VOA; Gulf Daily News

OCTOBER 5

Bahrain’s National Safety Court sentenced 13 people to five years in prison and six others to one year on charges of attacking a police station. In a separate case, a minor court postponed the trial of former MP Jawad Fairooz to November 21. He is being tried on charges of inciting hatred of the regime. | Gulf News; Washington Post; Daily Star

Several Bahraini opposition leaders, including the secretary-general of the Haq group, Hassan Mushaimaa, began a hunger strike roughly two weeks ago in order to secure the release of “innocent women and girls” from prison. | CNN

OCTOBER 3

Bahrain’s National Safety Court sentenced 14 people to life in prison for the killing of a Pakistani man during the unrest earlier this year. The court also sentenced 15 others to 15 years in prison on various charges and sentenced six Bahrain University students to 15-year prison terms and another student to an 18-year term on charges of inciting violence. | Washington Post; Bloomberg; Reuters; Gulf News

A Bahraini traffic court sentenced two motorists to three months in prison and a 100 Bahraini Dinars fine each for stalling traffic in Manama in September as part of a protest against the regime. | Gulf News

Three women won in Bahrain’s parliamentary by-elections, bringing total female parliamentary representation to four in the 40-seat assembly. Ebtisam Hijris and Somaya al-Jowder joined Sawsan Taqawi and Lateefa Al Gaood after winning the October 1 runoff elections. | Gulf Today; Bikya Masr; Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 30

The UN Human Rights office condemned the Bahraini National Security Court’s sentences against medical workers and protesters. The World Health Organization stated that preventing health care workers from aiding people injured in conflict violates international law. | Voice of America; CBS News

A Bahraini Interior Ministry official stated that Bahrain has put tighter security measures in place ahead of the second round of voting for the parliamentary by-elections scheduled for October 1. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 29

Bahrain’s National Security Court sentenced 20 medical workers who treated protesters during the anti-government protests to sentences ranging from five to fifteen years in prison. In addition, it sentenced one protester to death and another to life in prison for killing a policeman. | Voice of America; Huffington Post; Gulf News; New York Times

SEPTEMBER 28

Bahrain’s National Security Court upheld sentences for 21 activists convicted for their roles in pro-democracy protests, including the life sentences of a number of well-known political figures such as Hassan Mushaima, Abdul Jalil al-Singace, and Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. | Washington Post; BBC; Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 27

Bahrain’s Justice Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali al-Khalifa reiterated that the voter turnout for the parliamentary by-elections was 51.4 percent of the eligible voters and that no one can question the legitimacy of the new Bahraini parliament. | Gulf News

Amnesty International reported that a group of 38 women and seven girls arrested last week during an anti-government demonstration have been tortured or ill-treated. Bahrain’s Ministry of Justice announced that their case has been transferred to the public prosecutor. | AFP; Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 26

Five new lawmakers joined Bahrain’s lower chamber after the September 24 by-elections. Eighteen candidates will compete in the October 1 run-off elections in nine constituencies. | Gulf News

After the Bahraini government initially announced that over 50 percent of eligible voters participated in the by-elections and al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman challenged that report, the Bahraini government announced that voter turnout was only 17.4 percent, with 25,130 of 144,513 voters casting their votes. By comparison, during the October 2010 parliamentary elections, the turnout was 67 percent. | Reuters; Washington Post; Financial Times; Gulf News

Bahrain’s National Safety Court convicted the head of the teachers’ union, Mahdi Abu Deib, and his deputy, Jalila al-Salman, for using their positions at the union to instigate anti-regime protests. Deib was given a 10-year sentence and al-Salman a three-year sentence. | AFP; Arabian Business

SEPTEMBER 23

There are reports that government security forces have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators marching to Manama’s Pearl Square. Many anti-government protesters are calling for continued protests as well as a boycott of the elections. | CNN; Al Jazeera; CBS News

In his speech to the UN General Assembly, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said that Bahrain recognized the need for reform and “has persistently followed the approach of dialogue.” Al-Wefaq member Matar Ibrahim Ali Matar said that the king’s words need to be translated into action on the ground. | Al Jazeera

SEPTEMBER 22

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued a statement warning anti-government activists that they could face arrest and imprisonment for posting Web messages urging demonstrations or other acts of dissent ahead of the parliamentary by-elections. | Washington Post

The Bahraini government announced that the cars of the eighteen drivers who attempted to block traffic in Manama on September 21 have been seized and that it would take legal action against the drivers. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 21

Anti-government demonstrations caused numerous traffic jams as protesters flooded the streets in Bahrain in defiance of the regime’s warnings of harsh responses to any protest earlier this week. | Washington Post

King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa issued a decree on September 20, establishing the National Compensation and Redress Fund to compensate people who suffered material, moral, or physical damage by public security forces or public officials during the unrest. | Gulf News; New York Times

Bahrain approved additional spending of BD 388.5 million ($1.03 billion) over the next two years to cover wage increases for government employees. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 20

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry warned that it would revoke the driving license of anyone who attempted to create traffic jams on September 21 as part of anti-government protesters’ plan to disrupt the parliamentary elections. | Gulf News; MSNBC; Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 19

King Hamad Bin Eisa al-Khalifa appointed Salem Mohammad Salem al-Kuwari as the Constitutional Court chairman on September 18. He will serve a nine-year term. | Gulf News

Bahrainis abroad will vote on September 20 for the parliamentary by-elections. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 15

Sheikh Isa Qassim, a senior Bahraini cleric, spoke during Friday’s sermon in Diraz, criticizing the regime for treating protesters as “enemies of [the] state.” | Forbes; CBS News

The Bahraini Health Ministry said that Sayyed Jawad Ahmed, who died on September 14, was a sickle cell patient who died from “acute respiratory syndrome distress” associated with previous illness and not tear gas. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 15

Sayyed Jawad Ahmed died after inhaling tear gas fired by security forces during anti-regime protests on September 14. | Boston Globe; Voice of Russia; USA Today

Jawad Abdullah Abbas Hussein and Abbas Eisa Al Madhi won seats in the lower house of the Bahraini parliament after their opponents in the Central and Muharraq governorates pulled out of the race. | Gulf News

SEPTEMBER 14

The National Safety Court ruled to keep seven men accused of kidnapping and torturing a policeman during the protests in custody, despite a request for them to be released. | Gulf Daily News

Mohammed Isa al-Faraj, a parliamentary candidate in the Muharraq Governorate, denied allegations that he plans to close ma’atams (community religious centers) if elected. He stated that his conversion from Shi'a Islam to Sunni Islam is the reason he is being targeted. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 13

Opponents of the arms trade are expected to protest against the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London, particularly against the presence of Bahrain at the arms fair. | Independent; Guardian; BBC

Well-known lawyer Taimoor Kareemi, scholar Shaikh Maitham al-Salman, and academic Masoud Jahrami were released from police custody by the Bahraini Lower Criminal Court, although the charges against them were not dropped. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 12

Roughly 20,000 protesters marched in Manama on September 9 during Friday protests calling for greater reforms. | BBC; AFP; Gulf News; Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 7

The Bahrain Commission of Inquiry (BICI) said in a statement that 84 opposition supporters are on a hunger strike in Bahraini prison. In addition, seventeen detained activists have been hospitalized by the Interior Ministry for their refusal to eat. | AP

Dr. Sondra Crosby, a hunger strike expert, has joined the BICI to help assess the conditions of detainees who have refused to eat. | Gulf News

Police informers have identified nineteen men accused of trying to burn down a Manama police station during the unrest. | Gulf Daily News

SEPTEMBER 6

On September 6, a special Bahraini security court heard appeals for two opposition figures and nineteen other activists sentenced in the crackdown, Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said. | MSNBC

The Bahraini Public Prosecution has appealed to the three witnesses who brought in the body of Ali Jawad Ahmad to come forward for testimony. The public prosecution reported that lab tests proved that there was no trace of tear gas on the victim. | Gulf News; Gulf Daily News

Justice Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali al-Khalifa announced Ali Ahmad al-Durazi’s uncontested parliamentary win prior to the by-elections after his two opponents pulled out of the race.| Gulf News

AUGUST 31

Bahraini security forces clashed with anti-government protesters after morning prayers on August 31, resulting in the death of 14-year-old Ali Jawad Ahmad, who died after being hit by a police tear gas canister, human rights activists said. | AP; Washington Post; BNA

AUGUST 30

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Rupert Colville called for all civilians arrested in Bahrain during the unrest to be granted civilian trials. | United Nations

Bahrain’s information authority stated that the king’s pardon for some protest-linked suspects includes Ayat al-Qurmezi, a 20-year-old woman sentenced to a year in prison for reciting poetry critical of the regime’s crackdown. | Washington Post

AUGUST 29

Anti-regime protesters demonstrated in response to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa's nationally televised speech, in which he offered to pardon the demonstrators who were arrested early this year, saying the king offered no real concessions. | ABNA; Evening Echo

A special security court for the trials of twenty doctors and nurses accused of links to anti-government protests has postponed the trials until September 7 in order to allow the defense attorneys more time to prepare their cases. | Arab News; Gulf Daily News

The University of Bahrain has reinstated 389 students who were suspended for alleged security-related incidents in March, the university president has said. | Gulf News; al-Wasat

AUGUST 26

Clashes between Bahraini protesters and police broke out over recent government criticism of Sheikh Isa Qassim, a top Shiite clergyman. Thousands attended Qassim’s sermon today, in which he called on Bahrain’s rulers to ease their grip on power. | Monster and Critics; Gulf News; Star Tribune

Russia’s state-run arms dealer Rosoboron export is selling weapons to Bahrain after the United Kingdom and France banned deliveries of security equipment. European Union legislators asked the EU to investigate whether companies have aided human rights violations by selling surveillance gear to Bahrain. | Bloomberg

AUGUST 25

Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, the chairman of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), visited Al Qurain prison where he met all the prisoners indicted under the National Safety Law to review their legal status and detention conditions. | Gulf News

Eighty-three candidates, including nine women, signed up as candidates for next month's parliamentary by-elections. Registration closed at midnight on August 24. | Gulf Daily News; Gulf News

Dr. Saeed Al Samahiji, a detained Bahraini doctor, is to be flown to Jordan for treatment. He is being held for his alleged role in disturbances during unrest. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 24

Opposition group al-Wefaq said it would miss the deadline to register for by-elections in protest of the government crackdown earlier this year. | Reuters

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa warned that any threats to Bahrain's elections will be a betrayal of the nation. | Gulf Daily News

Bloomberg News reported that the Bahraini government used surveillance software and equipment sold by Siemens AG (SIE), and maintained by Nokia Siemens Networks and NSN’s divested unit, Trovicor GmbH, during its interrogations of political activists. | Bloomberg

AUGUST 23

Although Rola al-Safar, Bahrain’s top nursing official, was released from prison, she, along with more than dozen doctors and nurses, is scheduled to appear in military court on August 28. | Bahrain Center for Human Rights; Human Rights First

The Information Affairs Authority (IAA) announced that there is a Royal Decree, which orders all cases to be transferred from the National Safety Court to civilian courts. Felony cases already underway at the First Instance Court of National Safety will be completed there before being referred to ordinary civilian courts for appeal. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain recognized the rebel National Transitional Council as the sole representative of the people of Libya, Bahrain's state news agency announced. | Reuters; BNA

AUGUST 19

AUGUST 22

Registration for the September by-elections will open on August 22, the president of the legislative commission and chief executive of the elections committee Abdullah bin Hasan Al Buainain announced. | Gulf Daily News; Gulf News

Bahraini authorities have released the country’s top nursing official, Rola al-Safar, and teachers’ union official, Jalila al-Salman, after five months in custody. | Washington Post

More than 100 Bahrainis have been fired in recent weeks for their political views, including nineteen academics and 40 staff members from the University of Bahrain. | Christian Science Monitor

AUGUST 19

Anti-regime protesters in Bahrain staged 'Popular Anger’ demonstration. | Fars News Agency; ABNA; Press TV

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) is re-opening its office in Manama. However, only people who have direct or online appointments will be received by the staff, the commission spokeswoman said. | Gulf News; Gulf Daily News

The Industry and Commerce Ministry announced that it had set up a committee to implement the National Dialogue visions, focusing on enhancing economic competitiveness and managing public funds. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 18

The Bahraini government announced some key health and social welfare initiatives based on the outcomes of the National Dialogue, including calling for a new draft law for NGOs and improving efficiency and quality of government health services. | Gulf Daily News

The National Unity Assembly (NUA) denounced claims by other parties that NUA was created by the government. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 17

By-election boycotters were warned against plotting potential acts of treason and intimidation during a press conference held by Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain's economy shrank by 1.4 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of 2011 as unrest hit the tourism sector. | Arabian Business

Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of the opposition group al-Wefaq Islamic Society, called for an independent referendum asking Bahrainis whether they want an elected or appointed government. | Washington Post

AUGUST 16

The Bahrain Commission of Inquiry (BICI) announced that reports stating that the committee had determined whether the Bahraini regime had committed crimes against humanity are false. It confirmed that its investigation is still ongoing, but that the BICI office is closed because of threats made to staff. | BICI; BNA; Reuters; Gulf News

There is some discrepancy as to whether al-Wefaq will take part in the upcoming by-elections. Gulf Daily News reported that al-Wefaq's decision to boycott followed directives from Sheikh Isa Qassim rather than the political leadership. An unnamed political activist said he met al-Wefaq secretary-general Sheikh Ali Salman who confirmed that al-Wefaq would participate. | Gulf Daily News

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowment Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Khalifa said opposition political parties who wish to boycott the by-elections will be responsible for their actions, though the government encourages everyone to take part. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 15

The Bahraini government confirmed that the planned by-election will take place on time despite the decision of some political groups to boycott. On August 12, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society announced it will boycott the election. | Khaleej Times; CNN; Gulf News

Dr. Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, head of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, told the Bahraini newspaper al-Ayyam that the committee had concluded that no crimes against humanity were committed by the government against the protestors. | al-Arabiya

AUGUST 11

The secretary general of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), Kamran Choudhry, and other members in administrative positions at the BICI resigned. | Daily Tribune

The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society launched a website to collect information regarding violations that occurred during the uprising in Bahrain. | ABNA

Cleric Sheikh Mohsin al-Asfoor criticized the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, saying it stems from Iraq’s Islamic al-Dawa Party and al-Shirazi Movement, both of which seek to spread chaos in Bahrain. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 10

Al-Asala, a Salafi party, said that it would not field candidates in next month’s parliamentary by-elections, but will support certain independent candidates. | Gulf News

The National Democratic Action Society announced it will not field candidates in next month’s parliamentary by-election while its secretary-general, Ibrahim Sharif, is in prison. | Gulf Daily News

The ruling monarchy hired Qorvis Communications for $40,000 per month to do public relations work for the regime, according to a contract submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. Qorvis had previously worked for Bahrain through another PR firm, Bell Pottinger. | Salon

AUGUST 9

The Social Insurance Organization set a new minimum of BD200 for monthly pensions, an increase from the previous BD180 minimum. The new amount will be issued to pensioners from the public and private sectors starting at the end of this month. | Gulf Daily News

Former opposition members of parliament are permitted to be nominated as candidates in the by-elections next month, Abdullah Hassan Ahmed al-Buainain, president of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, confirmed yesterday. | Gulf Daily News

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a decree yesterday creating the National Social Fund. The fund will sponsor childhood development services, elderly care, education and rehabilitation of the disabled, and family development services. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 8

The Al-Wefaq Islamic Society has submitted its first report to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. The report focuses on the alleged demolition of mosques that occurred following the February uprising. | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain’s public prosecutor released more than 140 detainees, including two former opposition members of parliament, Jawad Fairoow and Mattar Mattar of the al-Wefaq Islamic Society, and human rights lawyer Mohamed al-Tajir. | Gulf News; BBC; CNN

Bahrain’s cabinet authorized an extra BD325 million budget allocation to cover public- sector pay increases and approved raising Bahrain’s borrowing ceiling from BD2,500 million to BD3,500 million to help pay for the implementation of National Dialogue initiatives. | Gulf Daily News

AUGUST 5

Deputy Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, chair of the government committee in charge of following up the National Dialogue objectives, gave the go-ahead yesterday for the drafting of proposed constitutional amendments. It will refer the proposed changes to the Constitutional Drafting Committee, headed by Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa. | Gulf Daily News;Bahrain News Agency; Al-Wasat

Two Bahraini women activists jailed for their alleged involvement in anti-regime protests have launched a hunger strike in protest of their torture and unlawful detention, Amnesty International reported. The women, Jaleela al-Salman, vice president of the Bahrain Society for Teachers, and Rula al-Safar, president of Bahrain Nursing Society, began their hunger strike on August 2. | Bahrain Center for Human Rights; Gulf Times

AUGUST 4

Two main opposition groups, the National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) and Democratic Progressive Tribune, are planning to hold their general assembly meetings soon to determine whether they will take part in the by-elections next month. Ali Ahmad, a member of parliament for The Islamic Menbar, said that his party is not planning to take part in the parliamentary by-elections next month. | Gulf Daily News; Gulf News

Bahraini authorities responded to a recent statement by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) that criticized the regime for conducting a police raid on its offices. The Bahraini Health Ministry expressed disappointment with the allegations and reiterated that MSF was operating an “unlicensed” center. One Bahraini MSF volunteer, Saeed Mahdi, remains in detention. | BBC; AFP; Bahrain News Agency

AUGUST 3

The Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), whose board members were suspended by the Human Rights and Social Development Ministry last year, plans to submit an application to monitor the upcoming elections to the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry. As a result of the suspension, BHRS was unable to monitor the 2010 parliamentary and municipal elections. | Gulf Daily News

The Municipal and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry presented proposed changes to the organizational structure of Bahrain’s municipal councils. The changes would require top officials, such as secretary-generals, to report directly to municipality director-generals under the supervision of council chairmen. Manama Municipal Council Chairman Majeed Milad Al Jazeeri criticized the proposal, saying it would weaken councils’ financial and administrative independence. | Gulf Daily News

JULY 29

King Hamad Ben Khalifa said in a televised speech that he supports proposals for political reform submitted to him on Thursday following the National Dialogue.| AFP

JULY 28

A state-backed company, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), reinstated 204 employees following a formal appeal process. More than 2,000 workers have been dismissed from their positions since the March uprisings. | Arabian Business

Dozens of athletes gathered in Baghdad to protest the Bahraini government’s detention of a 16-year-old Iraqi football player, Zulfiqar Naji, who was arrested during protests earlier this year. They argue the arrest was unjustified and politically motivated. | Washington Post

JULY 27

Security forces arrested a British man of Asian origin on Monday on suspicion of carrying explosives onto a plane in transit to Britain. No explosives were found and the airport resumed normal operations. | Gulf Daily

JULY 26

Participants of the government-led National Dialogue reached consensus on increasing the powers of the elected parliament. It was agreed that the lower house should be allowed to accept or reject the nomination of ministers and the right to question them during parliamentary sessions. | Khaleej Times; Bahrain News

Authorities released Mohammed Buflasa, a former army captain arrested for taking part in the protests earlier this year. | Khaleej Times

JULY 25

King al-Khalifa appointed a legal panel—the Bahrain Independent Commission Inquiry (BICI)—to investigate allegations of torture and unlawful detention by 30 police officers of the Interior Ministry. Cherif Bassiouni, an Egyptian-American UN crimes expert and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, will lead the fact-finding mission. | Al Jazeera English; Reuters; Gulf Daily 

Tens of thousands of people rallied to support Al-Wefaq, the largest Shia opposition group that pulled out of government-led national reform talks earlier last week. | Al Jazeera English; Daily Star

The national Defense Force announced that the Forces of Peninsula Shield will reposition units. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) joint operation comprised of troops from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia was sent into the country in March to quell protests. | Bahrain News Agency; Al Arabiya

JULY 22

Washington denied reports that it was considering moving its Fifth Fleet from Bahrain. A U.S. Department of Defense spokesman said there are no intentions to move the fleet. | The National

Iranian Foreign Minister Al-Akbar Salehi said Tehran respects the sovereignty of Bahrain and hoped that the National Dialogue would produce solutions. Salehi also expressed hope that misunderstandings with Saudi Arabia could be resolved. | AFP

JULY 21

The Bahrain Independent Commission for Inquiry (BICI), established to investigate rights’ violations during the recent protests, will hold a public forum on Sunday in Manama. Commissioners will meet with representatives of political and civic associations to hear their concerns. | Bahrain News

Sources say American officials are considering plans to move the U.S. navy’s Fifth Fleet away from Bahrain’s coast amid fears of violence and instability in the kingdom. The fleet might be relocated to the UAE. | The Australian

Participants in the National Dialogue agreed Tuesday to form a Supreme Council for journalism to protect journalists’ rights. The Supreme Court will also issue licenses for new journalists. | People Daily; Bahrain News

JULY 20

An Interior Ministry special committee will investigate allegations of torture made by the 20-year-old poet Ayat Al-Goermzi, who was arrested for reciting anti-government poems. Before her release last week, the poet said she had been beaten with a baton and electric cable. | The Independent

Participants in the National Dialogue reached a consensus that parliament should be granted more powers.| Gulf Daily; Bahrain News

Three liberal opposition groups—Waad, the Democratic Tribune, and the Pan-Arab Rally—announced Tuesday they will continue to attend National Dialogue sessions even though their former ally, the opposition group Al-Wefaq, had pulled out of the talks. | Gulf News

JULY 19

The spokesman for Bahrain’s National Dialogue urged the opposition group Al Wefaq to reconsider its decision to pull out of the dialogue and to return to talks. | Gulfnews

Human Rights Watch alleged the government had arrested more than 70 medical professionals during the protests held earlier this year. The organization urged authorities to stop harassing medical personnel and called on to the UN to conduct an independent investigation into the government crackdown. | Al Jazeera

JULY 18

The opposition party Al Wefaq decided to pull out of national dialogue on Sunday, saying that the dialogue process was not aimed at initiating serious reforms. The decision will be confirmed by the party’s consultative council on Monday. | AFP

Tens of thousands of people took part in a demonstration on Friday, organized by Al Wefaq, to demand radical reforms and a government elected by the people. Police denied responsibility for the death of one woman that occurred during the protest. | Al Jazeera

JULY 15

Human Rights Watch said more than 2,000 workers were dismissed from government jobs and state-linked firms as punishment for participating in anti-government protests. The human rights group called on the Bahraini government to investigate the dismissals. | Washington Post; Human Rights Watch

JULY 14

A 20-year-old Bahraini woman sentenced last month to one year in prison for reciting anti-government poems was released on Wednesday. | Gulfnews

JULY 13

Bahrain’s largest Shiite opposition group, Al Wefaq, threatened to pull out of a national dialogue initiated by the government on July 2. The group called for a government led by a parliamentary majority following a dispute during a recent session over reforming naturalization laws. | AFP; Gulf Daily

JULY 11

The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Tehran’s meddling in Bahrain following statements by Iran’s foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, who asserted that Iran was defending the rights of the Bahraini people. | Kuwait News Agency, Gulf Daily

The Saudi cabinet welcomed the launch of a National Dialogue and the formation of an independent commission to investigate rights violations during anti-government protests in Bahrain. | Bahrain News

JULY 10

Participants at the Bahrain National Dialogue discussed the cabinet selection process, the role of the parliament, media freedoms, and budgetary controls. A majority of participants support the power of King Hamad to appoint members of the Shura Council and cabinet. | Bahrain News, Gulf Daily News

JULY 7

The second session of the National Dialogue was held, during which participants discussed the prerogatives of the parliament and the Shura Council. | Bahrain News

JULY 6

The first sessions of the National Dialogue began with discussions on political societies, the economic situation of Bahrain, youth affairs, and rights of women and children. Bahrain’s National Dialogue spokesman announced that talks were occurring in a “very positive atmosphere.”  | Gulf News; Gulf News

Bahrain sentenced one Bahraini and two foreigners to ten years in prison for serving as spies for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The defendants spied in Bahrain from 2002 until 2010 and gave Iran military and economic information. | Gulf News

JULY 1

The United Nations welcomed Bahrain’s decision to form a committee to investigate the repression of the protests there. However, it insisted that the committee must be independent.  | AFP

JUNE 30

Saudi Arabia plans to pull some troops out of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) force sent to Bahrain to help quell protests. An adviser to King Hamad, however, stated that there were no plans for a full withdrawal of the GCC forces.  | Al Jazeera

JUNE 29

In a televised speech, the king of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, announced the formation of an independent commission to investigate rights violations during anti-government protests. He said that leaders respected human rights and wanted reform, but protesters pushed the country into a “state of chaos.” | Voice of America

JUNE 28

According to one spokesperson, 94 percent of the invited figures, parties, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have confirmed their participation in the national dialogue.  Talks are set to start on Sunday afternoon and will be held three times a week.  | Gulfnews 

Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman reiterated that Bahrain’s economy has not been affected by the recent unrest and that it has remained stable due to measures taken by the kingdom. They also added that Bahrain’s economy should be revitalized with the start of the national dialogue.  | Daily Tribune

JUNE 27

Twenty-eight doctors and nurses accused of plotting against the regime during the protests returned to court on Monday. | CNN

Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said that the National Dialogue was “a historic opportunity” to shape Bahrain’s future. He urged all participants “to put national interests above all other priorities.” | Gulf Daily News

The opposition group Al Wefaq missed the deadline to submit its agenda for the National Dialogue. Al Wefaq’s secretary general said it chose not to participate because opposition groups will be “a minority [at] the negotiation table.” | Gulf Daily News

JUNE 23

Protesters gathered in Manama’s streets after eight senior opposition leaders were sentenced to life in prison. Security forces used tear gas to drive back protesters. | Gulfnews

The spokesman of Al Wefaq, the largest opposition political society, said that the group was still holding talks on whether to participate in the national dialogue or not. He also said that the present situation in the country was not suitable for a dialogue to take place. | Gulf Daily News

JUNE 22

Shi’i demonstrators are blocking roads and calling for rallies to oppose a mass trial of 21 activists accused of trying to overthrow the regime. | AP

Eight Bahraini political leaders and prominent activists were sentenced to life in prison for plotting against the Khalifa regime. The secretary general of the National Democratic Action Society, Ibrahim Sharif, was sentenced to five years in prison | Gulfnews; Al Jazeera

JUNE 21

The trial of 47 doctors and nurses, accused of “incitement to overthrow the regime by force,” resumed on Monday, with additional witness testimony. Families of the medical staff and human rights activists said the doctors were tortured to extract confession. | CNN; BBC

Two hundred fifty representatives from political parties, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, and unions were invited by King Hamad to participate in Bahrain’s National Dialogue, scheduled to start in early July. | Gulfnews

The Social Development Ministry of Bahrain was renamed as the Human Rights and Social Development Ministry. | Gulfnews 

JUNE 20

Bahrain’s government is preparing to lift a ban on the second largest opposition party, Waad, after it was shut down by authorities in April. | Al Jazeera

Thousands of Shi’i gathered Friday outside Manama in the second mass demonstration organized by the opposition group Al Wefaq since the crackdown.| Zawya

JUNE 17

Sheik Khalid Ben Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of Bahrain’s king, signed a marriage contract with the daughter of Saudi King Abdullah ben Abdel Aziz Al Saud.  | Washington Post 

JUNE 16

The Obama administration expressed its full support for the national multiparty dialogue set to begin on July 1.  | Daily Tribune

Three Bahraini women arrested on Wednesday for peacefully protesting at the United Nations offices in Manama were released.  | Bahrain News

JUNE 15

Bahrain decided to sue the British newspaper the Independent for repeatedly printing defamatory and biased information against both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.  Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority commissioned a UK-based legal firm to file the case.  | Guardian; Gulf Daily News

JUNE 14

Human Rights Watch urged Bahrain to stop military trials against people arrested during the protests, as the court proceedings are unfair and violate international law. | CNN

JUNE 13

According to Amnesty International, over 500 people have been detained during pro-reform protests and nearly 2,000 people have been either dismissed or suspended from their jobs.  | AFP

Two former Shiite members of parliament were put on trial for allegedly inciting regime change and spreading biased rumors linked to pro-democracy protests.  | AFP

Thousands of Shiites gathered outside Manama in the first mass rally since martial law was lifted, demanding political reform and a more democratic legislature. The interior ministry stated that it authorized the demonstration organized by Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s largest Shiite political party.  | AFP; The Media Line 

JUNE 10

Roughly 400 people have been put on trial for their roles in the pro-reform protests, according to leading Shi’i opposition group Al Wefaq.  | Arab News

During a meeting between Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the U.S. administration reaffirmed its support for Bahrain’s stability and expressed hope that the multiparty dialogue would be successful.  | Gulf Daily News; Bahrain News

JUNE 9

The Bahraini government has accepted a UN mission to investigate reports of human rights violations during anti-government demonstrations. A date for the mission to begin has not been set.  | Bahrain News

According to Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s leading Shi’i opposition group, authorities are forbidding a planned presentation detailing abuses committed during pro-reform demonstrations. | Bahrain News 

JUNE 8

Despite continuing tensions between the US and Bahrain over the kingdom's brutal crackdown on the opposition, President Obama expressed support for King Hamad’s initiative for a comprehensive national dialogue and the decision to lift the emergency law during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday with the Crown Prince. However, he also urged the Crown Prince  to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses against demonstrators. | LA Times; Gulf Daily News; Al Jazeera

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will not take place in October as scheduled due to objections from the drivers.  | New York Times

JUNE 6

Thousands took to the streets in protest, with the Manama suburb of Sanabis witnessing the day’s largest demonstrations. | CNN

Bahraini police clashed with Shi'ite marchers during religious festivals in several villages around Manama.  Police reportedly used tear gas, rubber bullets, sound grenades and birdshot to break up the gatherings.  | Jerusalem Post; Al Jazeera

JUNE 3

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the royal decision to lift the State of National Safety.  He also praised King Hamad’s call to start a national dialogue on July 1, with all parties working together to create an appropriate climate for it to proceed.  | Gulf Daily News

Bahraini police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters marching toward Pearl Square in the country’s capital.  | Washington Post

Bahraini police quelled protests at a funeral near Manama as a result of unrest within the Shia community after the government lifted its state of emergency this week.  | Financial Times

JUNE 2

Despite a royal decree lifting the state of emergency, authorities said that they will not ease pressure on anti-government groups. | Boston Globe

Troops attacked anti-government protestors hours after martial law was lifted in the kingdom. In addition, several demonstrations, which occurred in small villages around Manama, were immediately dispersed by riot police. | Al Jazeera English

Opposition activists called for a fresh wave of anti-government protests as the state of emergency was lifted. A post on the “February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition” on Facebook called for protests in the main streets and squares. | Al Jazeera English

JUNE 1

A royal decree lifted the state of emergency effective today, and yesterday the military, the General Command, issued a statement announcing the end of its mission. Public Security forces and the National Guard have assumed the task of ensuring internal stability. | Gulf Daily News

King Hamad called for an immediate national dialogue without preconditions as essential for upcoming elections that will fill vacant parliamentary seats. He pledged that everyone could participate with his or her visions for the future in order to advance development, progress, peace, and justice. | Akhbar Al Khaleej; Gulf Daily News

May 31

Tanks are withdrawing from the streets of Manama just before the national state of emergency—imposed during the popular unrest that began in February—is scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday. | Gulf News

The justice minister announced that candidates competing for eighteen vacant parliamentary seats are required to register between August 22 and 24. First- and second-round elections will be held September 24 and October 1, respectively. | Gulf News

Al-Wefaq leader Shaykh Ali Salman said that the group may not participate in September elections after pulling all of the group’s eighteen lawmakers out of the parliament to protest the state’s use of violence against demonstrators. |  Zawya; Tehran Times

May 27

Crown Prince Salman affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to reform in a meeting at The Hague.  Some protests emerged this week after a military court upheld the death sentence of two people convicted of killing two policemen. | The National

Human Rights Watch stated that international racing authorities should consider alleged human rights violations before rescheduling a Formula One race postponed due to the uprising that erupted in February. The decision will be announced on June 3. | LA Times

Moody’s downgraded the government’s credit rating to Baa1 with a negative outlook, the third-lowest investment grade.  The rating agency cited lingering political tensions and a weakened oil industry as factors behind the downgrade. | Reuters; Daily Star

May 26

Five seats in two of the country’s five municipal councils will be left vacant until the High Appeals Court issues a verdict on July 12 regarding the firing of al-Wefaq council members. They were discharged for alleged contact with Hezbollah, demonstrating illegally, and seeking out international intervention during the peak of the internal unrest this year. | Gulf Daily News

Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa admitted mistakes were made by “all sides” during the protests that erupted earlier this year. While committing to implementing reform, he noted that “the speed of progress must be guided by the ability to achieve consensus.” | Reuters

May 24

Two Bahraini journalists working for German news agency DPA and French television station France 24 were detained for several hours this week. One recounted being blindfolded and beaten in the head by police. | Reuters

May 23

Bahrainis have taken to the streets on the eastern island of Sitra once again to denounce the ruling al-Khalifa family and demand that they step down. | Tehran Times

Five hundred and fifteen detainees have been released since the state of emergency began on March 15. Some have been released on health grounds and others freed after fulfilling a “sufficient” detention period. | Al Ayam

The National Safety Appeals Court confirmed the death sentences of two defendants involved in murdering two policemen, and amended the verdicts of two others to life imprisonment. | Al Ayam

May 20

U.S. President Barack Obama declared during his speech on the Middle East yesterday that the situation in Bahrain is unacceptable and urged the ruling family to open dialogue with the opposition. The United States continues to support the government and accuses Iran of taking advantage of its internal turmoil. | The National; Reuters

The cabinet welcomed the principles contained in the speech delivered by Obama, which it states are consistent with the king’s goals to create a constitutional democratic country. It also stated he will “exert all efforts” to further reform, modernization, and development. | BNA

May 19

The foreign minister said the government has not been “acting as complete angels,” but is seeking full reconciliation with the people. He also specified that the military will return to the barracks following the lifting of emergency law and that government “always had the U.S. support in Bahrain and the Gulf region.” | PBS

The National Safety Court today sentenced eight protestors and a prominent cleric to twenty years in prison following their arrest on March 23 for allegedly kidnapping a policeman. | Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, BNA

May 18

Nine policemen and two civilians were injured in the Shiite village of Nuwaidrat yesterday when a “rioter” ran over them with a car after being injured in the head by security police. | Gulf Daily News; Al Watan

The acting health minister said the government had invited the UN to investigate allegations of human rights abuse during the military takeover of a hospital in March, claiming “we have nothing to hide.” | Gulf Daily News

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned Bahrain for its continued crackdown on journalists as five more people were detained in less than a week. | CPJ 

May 17

Parliament accepted the resignations of the remaining seven of eighteen Shiite lawmakers who resigned in protest after the deadly clashes in February. The 40-member parliament is now dominated by 22 Sunnis, with the other positions vacant. | The Independent; Washington Post

The Second Lower National Safety Court yesterday convicted seven defendants on charges of assembling in a public area, rioting, holding political leaflets, and calling openly for hatred of the ruling system. | Gulf Daily News

The terror trial of 21 men accused of plotting against the country was adjourned yesterday after defense lawyers requested a ruling on whether the hearings were constitutional. | Gulf Daily News

May 16

The Cabinet was updated on the kingdom’s financial and banking position and praised security agencies for restoring stability in the kingdom. The Cabinet also approved a string of measures to promote Bahrain's international standing and address economic developments issues. | Akhbar al-Khaleej

A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) spy has warned that an Iranian aid flotilla due to travel to Bahrain today could be a martyrdom mission with “death squads”. Earlier the Iran government stated that it was being sent in a show of solidarity with anti-government protesters. | Gulf Daily News

The Appeal National Safety Court heard five cases related to the murder of two policemen, in which the Lower National Safety Court sentenced four defendants to death and three others to life imprisonment. | BNA

May 13

Fourteen of 21 defendants pleaded not guilty at the Court of National Safety on Thursday to charges of belonging to a terrorist group and attempting to overthrow the monarchy. Only one defendant, Abduljalil al-Muqdad, “admitted taking part in unauthorized demonstrations.” | Gulf Daily News

Bahrain’s chief military prosecutor announced the release of 24 doctors and nurses from the medical staff of the Salmaniya Medical Complex. They will be placed under surveillance at their residences. | BNA

In its annual report, Amnesty International criticized Bahrain, Libya, Syria, and Yemen for having “shown a willingness to beat, maim or kill peaceful protesters to stay in power.” | BBC

May 12

Parliament will hold by-elections on September 24 to replace opposition members of parliament (MPs) who resigned in February. The constitution prohibits all eleven of the Weqaf Party’s eighteen MPs who stepped down from running again. | Gulf Daily News

Official sources denied Al Jazeera’s media reports claiming that police have targeted schools and students to suppress protests. These reports are “a blatant and malicious fabrication,” the sources said. | Al Watan 

May 11

Leaders of Gulf countries met yesterday in Riyadh to discuss their relations with Iran following its announcement that it was sending an aid flotilla to Bahrain. The flotilla is scheduled to depart on May 16. | The National

The government foiled an alleged plot by anti-government protestors to hijack the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), the country’s main source of income. Members of parliament blame the country’s energy minister, Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza, for BAPCO’s BD6 million loss. | Gulf Daily News 

Human Rights Watch stated that Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a human right activist charged with seeking to “topple the regime forcibly in collaboration with a terrorist organization working for a foreign country,” appeared before a special military court showing signs of ill-treatment and perhaps torture". | CNN 

May 10

King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa met with the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and religious scholars, stating that the end of the state of emergency will return life back to normal. | Al Ayam 

In a meeting with parliament, Hamad vowed that the legislature will continue to play a vital role in promoting reforms. He said leaders will “try to reach out to our brothers in the Islamic Republic,” blaming the international media for creating divisions among Muslims. | Gulf Daily News; Akhbar al Khaleej 

The commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Shaykh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, asserted that the Peninsula Shield Force will remain in force, despite the termination of the state of emergency, because it defends against potential external rather than internal threats.  | Al Ayam

May 9

King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa issued a Royal Decree 39 to lift the state of emergency by June 1 in the entire country. It was imposed after street protests erupted three months ago. | Akhbar Al-Khaleej; The Media Line

The Cabinet approved an amendment yesterday to reduce voting age from 20 to 18. According to Cabinet Affairs Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammad, “the move reflects the government’s firm keenness to expand the youngsters’ political participation.” | Gulf Daily News 

May 8

A lower court is trying 21 suspects accused of attempting to topple the regime in collaboration with a terrorist organization. | Al Watan 

May 5

UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned the crackdown in Bahrain. She objected to the trials of civilians in military courts, the secrecy in which the trials were held, and death sentences issued. | The Media Line

The government insists that only 400 people have been detained since protests began in February, although the UN believes the number to be closer to 1,000. Forty-seven medical staff have been arrested and 68 journalists have been fired, arrested, or threatened. | The Media Line

May 4

A Bahraini military court sentenced one man to at least five years in jail and acquitted another for an alleged attempt to kill policemen. The convicted man was also found guilty of destroying public property, although he has fifteen days to appeal the sentence. | Alertnet

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative Sayed Aqa denied reports that program activities in the kingdom have been suspended, saying the four-year plan currently in place would continue. Questions had arisen following a statement declaring deferment of programs in Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. | Gulf Daily News

The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force relaxed curfew hours. The curfew area extends from Seef Flyover to the Financial Harbor’s traffic lights and will be in place from midnight until 4 a.m. All sea activities are banned from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. | Gulf Daily News

May 3

Bahrain’s justice minister said 47 medical workers will be charged for their “efforts to bring down the Sunni monarchy and spread false news.” | BBC

Bahrain and the UAE signed a security cooperation agreement in a side meeting at the 12th Gulf Cooperation Council Interior Ministers’ consultative assembly in Abu Dhabi. The ministers also expressed concern regarding Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain. | Trade Arabia

The commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defense Force said that the country would build a permanent base for the Peninsula Shield Forces in order to counter Iran, which he claimed was trying to destabilize the region. | People’s Daily Online

A senior leader in the opposition Shiite Al Wefaq Party said that two of its former members in parliament, Mater Mater and Jawad Fairoz, were arrested as part of a crackdown on dissent. The leader said he did not know the details of the arrest. | Winnipeg Free Press

May 2

The chamber of commerce urged its members to boycott Iranian goods and suspend financial transactions with Iran in retaliation for what it deemed “flagrant interference” in the country’s internal affairs. The chamber went further and urged all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals to follow suit, stressing the need for solidarity among Gulf countries. | Arabian Business

APRIL 20

Bahrain’s parliament passed a proposal on Wednesday April 20 to create a Gulf Confederate Union. Each country would maintain its sovereignty but would delegate certain powers to a commission or commissions to coordinate policies on issues such as defense, foreign policy, economy, and oil. | Al-Jazeera