State Dept. “Deeply Disappointed” About Bahrain Medics’ Convictions

Photo Credit: London Post

In response to the conviction of nine Bahraini medical professionals, State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, “we are deeply disappointed that an appeals court in Bahrain upheld the convictions of nine of the medics [...] As we have said, we believe these convictions do appear, at least in part, to be based on the defendant’s criticisms of government actions and policies.” Nuland added that the U.S. is “discouraged that the Bahraini Government did not use alternative means to address these cases.” A New York Times editorial condemned the verdict against the medics, saying “The cases should never have been brought in the first place,” adding that, “The [Obama] administration must do a lot more to persuade Bahrain of the need for reforms…”

Meanwhile, AP reports that work to rebuild the dozens of mosques razed during last year’s unrest has not begun in earnest, and as a result volunteers have begun reconstructing the religious structures themselves. The author suggests these demolitions “remains one of the most sensitive issues amid an array of grievances by Bahrain’s Shiites.” Additionally, Jane Kinninimont wrote a report detailing the “impasse” in Bahrain, suggesting, “There is still scope to find common ground between the different elements of Bahraini society in support of a constitutional monarchy, based on equal citizenship and a revitalized social contract.”