The Independent - Rebecca MacKinnon - The New York Times - Secrets & Deals: How Britain Left the Middle East TV -
Locked up for reading a poem: the woman who symbolises Bahrain’s fight for freedom. The Independent front page 2nd June 2011
Like Syria, the government of Bahrain employs aggressive tactics to censor and monitor its people's online activity. Rebecca MacKinnon
The top United Nations human rights official on Tuesday called on the authorities in Bahrain to release the detained leader of the country’s main opposition group, in a high-level rebuke that appeared to reflect fears that his arrest could incite new bouts of civil unrest in the troubled Persian Gulf nation.
The opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, who is the head of the main Shiite opposition al-Wefaq party, was taken into custody on Sunday. His detention was renewed for seven days on Tuesday, as prosecutors investigated charges, including that he had promoted ‘political change using illegal forceful means and threats’, according to a government statement. The New York Times online article 30th December 2014 Kareem Fahim, ‘Calls to Free Leading Cleric in Bahrain’
In 1971 Britain withdrew from Bahrain, Qatar and the Sheikdoms that soon became the UAE. Secrets and Deals: How Britain Left the Middle East, caption, BBC 2022
‘Britain forced these regions, sheikdoms and emirates into unequal relations.’ ibid. Taqi Albaharna
‘They [British] interfered in the local administrations. They organised coups.’ ibid. Dr Wafa Alsayed
For 50 years the Arab states have been independent and increasingly rich. Only recently have historians here in the Gulf begun to examine the previous era when Britain’s influence was dominant. ibid.
‘Britain dominated the Gulf’s resources politically, economically, and financially.’ ibid. Albaharna
Britain moved its Persian Gulf residency to Bahrain after World War II … Britain was highly dependant on Arab oil. ibid.
1965: As a result of the uprising, dozens of Bahrainis were exiled or imprisoned. ibid.
Abu Dhabi: ‘The usual English story: They said members of the ruling family carried out the coup.’ ibid. Historian
The [UK] government prepared to slash spending and took a momentous decision: they would end Britain’s presence in the Gulf by 1971. ibid.
If Britain withdrew its troops, the Sheikhs would only have their local police for protection. ibid.
In February 1968 the rules of Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial states agreed in principle to unite their nine Sheikhdoms into a federation. ibid.
In June 1970 a new Conservative government comes to power in the UK. Just 18 months remain until Britain is to leave the Gulf. But the islands [Bahrain] problem is no closer to being solved. ibid.
1971: In August Bahrain and Qatar each declared independence. ibid.
‘Today virtually the same families are on the throne in each Emirate.’ ibid. English dude