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| 2011 in Bahrain | |
|---|---|
| Year | 2011 |
| Country | Bahrain |
2011 in Bahrain 2011 in Bahrain was dominated by the Bahraini uprising, a major episode in the Arab Spring that involved sustained protests, confrontations with security forces, nationwide strikes, and international diplomatic fallout. The year saw high-profile domestic actors such as the Al Khalifa royal family, opposition groups like Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, and entities including the Gulf Cooperation Council and Security forces of Bahrain play central roles amid regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Western states.
- Monarch: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. - Prime Minister: Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. - Crown Prince: Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. - Interior Minister: Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. - Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force: Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa. - Speaker of the Council of Representatives: Ammar bin Isa Al Khalifa. - President of the Supreme Council for Women: Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. - Chief Prosecutor: Mohammed Ali al-Hakim.
Large-scale demonstrations erupted in Pearl Roundabout in Manama inspired by protests in Tahrir Square, Cairo, and Daraa, leading to mass gatherings, sit-ins, and human chain marches organized by coalitions including Wa'ad (Bahrain), Al Wefaq, and youth movements. Security operations culminated in the clearing of the Pearl Roundabout, followed by the declaration of a three-month state of emergency after intervention by a GCC Peninsula Shield deployment led by Saudi Arabian National Guard and supported by forces from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The year featured notable episodes such as the burning of the Pearl Monument, sustained medical-worker unrest at King Hamad University Hospital, and the resignation or detention of prominent figures including Sheikh Ali Salman and activists connected to Bahraini Journalists Association and Bahrain Center for Human Rights.
The uprising saw coordinated protests by opposition groups such as Al Wefaq, National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad), Islamic Action Society (Asalah), and independent youth activists influenced by the Tunisian Revolution, 2011 Egyptian revolution, and 2011 Syrian uprising. Demonstrations called for constitutional reform, an elected Council of Ministers (Bahrain), accountability for alleged abuses by the Bahraini security forces, and an end to perceived discrimination against Shia communities represented by figures like Sheikh Isa Qassim. The movement organized strikes affecting sectors tied to Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Petroleum Company, and financial institutions such as the Central Bank of Bahrain and Gulf Finance House. Prominent casualties and injured protesters were treated at facilities like Bahrain Defence Force Hospital and local clinics, while human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights documented arrests, alleged torture, and enforced disappearances.
After initial negotiations and the formation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry later in the year, the government authorized a security crackdown involving the Ministry of Interior (Bahrain) and riot police units, supported by Peninsula Shield forces. The regime imposed emergency measures, curtailed media access affecting outlets like Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, and CNN, and enacted measures in the National Assembly (Bahrain) to restrict gatherings. Trials under military courts and civilian courts involved detainees associated with groups such as Bahrain Freedom Movement and activists including Nabeel Rajab and Zainab Al-Khawaja. The state also pursued legal actions targeting unions like the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and professional associations including the Bahrain Teachers Association.
Regional actors reacted strongly: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates supported Manama, deploying the Peninsula Shield; Iran expressed concern for Bahraini ``Shia'' communities, prompting diplomatic tensions with Bahrain–Iran relations. Western governments including the United States Department of State and United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office called for restraint while maintaining strategic ties through bases such as the United States Navy Fifth Fleet. International organizations and NGOs including the United Nations, European Union, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch criticized rights violations; the United Nations Human Rights Council engaged in discourse, and headline coverage from Al Jazeera and Reuters amplified global scrutiny. Several countries reviewed arms sales and bilateral visits, and opposition figures sought asylum in countries including United Kingdom and Germany.
The unrest disrupted sectors tied to Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Gulf Air, and the financial services industry in Bahrain including operations of the Bahrain Stock Exchange and regional banks such as HSBC Middle East and Standard Chartered Bahrain. Tourism suffered due to cancellations affecting destinations like Manama Souq and hospitality venues including luxury hotels; investment confidence was dented, impacting projects near Seef District and development initiatives tied to the Bahrain International Circuit. Strikes and closures affected logistics at Kuwait–Bahrain Friendship Bridge proposals and hampered operations at Bahrain International Airport, while infrastructure repairs were required after clashes in neighborhoods like Jid Ali and Sitra.
Civic life included cultural responses from artists, writers, and athletes: sporting events under the Formula One spotlight at the Bahrain Grand Prix were debated amid calls for boycott from activists and commentary from drivers and teams. Media coverage involved outlets such as Al Jazeera Arabic, BBC Arabic, and The New York Times, while domestic cultural institutions including the Bahrain National Museum continued programming under strain. Religious observances at sites like the Al-Fateh Mosque and commemorations led by clerics including Sheikh Isa Qassim remained focal points for community mobilization. Social movements leveraged social media platforms and networks to organize protests, and civil society organizations such as the Gulf Centre for Human Rights documented societal impacts and diaspora activism in cities like London, Manama, and Beirut.
Category:2011 by country