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Freedom of the Press: Bahrain Restricts Media Access During GCC Summit in Bahrain

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The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned about the ongoing and intensifying harassment of independent journalists by the Bahraini government.

The Bahraini government prevented international journalists from covering the two-day 37th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), hosted in Manama last week on 6 and 7 December. The annual summit gathers Arab and Gulf leaders to discuss regional and international issues. British Prime Minister Theresa May was also in attendance this year.

An employee from Al-Araby TV Channel (headquartered in London) was arrested on 6 December 2016 by the Bahraini authorities after the authorities stopped a live stream with the guest Abdulaziz Abul, a member of the Shura council, who was commenting on the GCC summit.

Al-Jazeera Media Network (AJMN) announced on 6 December 2016 that Bahraini authorities blocked their employees from covering the GCC summit from the ground as the staff was not allowed to enter the country. Jamal Elshayyal, a journalist from AJMN, who was refused entry at Bahrain International Airport on 6 December, states that for “no legitimate reason” his news agency was prevented from covering an international conference with global interest, even though all necessary procedures were followed and all requested documents submitted to the authorities on time.

The attacks and restrictions on media, including television channels, are frequent in Bahrain and it is difficult for independent media to operate freely. In February 2015, the Bahraini authorities suspended television channel Al Arab TV, one day after its launch, following an interview it broadcast with an aide to a Bahraini opposition leader.

Based on the facts and cases above, BCHR expresses its deep concern about the right to freedom of expression being undermined and calls on the authorities of Bahrain to:

  • Cease blocking independent international journalists from entering Bahrain;
  • Allow journalists to conduct their profession and respect their right to freedom of expression; and
  • Drop the charges against journalists who exercise their work.
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