Bahrain Center for Human Rights President Nabeel Rajab sentenced 16 Aug to 3 years in prison for instigating, participating in “unauthorised” protests, acquitted 23 Aug of 3-month defamation sentence issued 9 July. Leading activist Zainab al-Khawaja arrested 3 Aug along with some 40 others following protests near Manama demanding reforms; tens of thousands 31 Aug participated in first authorised opposition protest since June near Manama. Public prosecutor Hamza 7 Aug said 15 policemen charged with mistreating medics in last year’s uprising. 16-year- old Husam al-Haddad killed 18 Aug in clashes with riot police; Interior Ministry said he sustained injuries after attacking police with molotov cocktails; protesters clashed with police at 21 Aug funeral, 8 arrested.

Interior Ministry 13 July said bans on opposition rallies aimed to prevent disruption, street violence; Shiite opposition al-Wefaq member Abduljalil Khalil rejected ban as policy to end rallies demanding reforms; thousands clashed with police during 20-27 July demonstrations against ban; 28 countries condemned ongoing rights violations through joint declaration during 28 June UNHRC Geneva debate. Crown Prince Salman 31 July ordered police to exercise restraint in dealing with protesters. Govt reform program continued with 11 July issuance of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Interim Report. Authorities 3 June said 15 policemen charged with mistreatment of prisoners after investigation into reports security services tortured anti- govt protestors; Interior Ministry 29 July announced opening of investigations into possible rights violations by police during crackdowns on opposition protesters. Court 9 July dissolved Shiite Islamist political party Amal for following “hostile clerical authority” calling for violence, failing to hold general assembly. Bahrain Center for Human Rights President Nabeel Rajab arrested 9 July, charged with insulting residents of predominantly Sunni Muharraq city on Twitter, sentenced to 3 months jail. Court 5 July ruled 11-year-old accused of taking part in anti-govt protests must be monitored for 1 year.

Large anti-govt rallies 8 June in numerous locations broken up by police. Al-Wefaq leader Sheik Ali Salman reportedly attacked during 22 June march outside Manama. Appeals court 14 June convicted 9 doctors, acquitted 9, for role in last year’s uprising. 11-year-old accused of taking part in anti-govt protests released 11 June pending 5 July ruling. Govt 26 June announced decision to pay $2.6 million in restitution to families of people killed in 2011 uprising.

4 police injured in 5 May blast in Bani Jamrah; police 16 May issued arrest warrants for 20 people in connection with bomb attacks. Bahrain Centre for Human Rights President Nabeel Rajab 5 May arrested on return from Lebanon, charged with organising illegal demonstrations, insulting statutory body via Twitter, released 28 May on bail. Thousands protested 11 May near Manama in support of detained activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja; al-Khawaja 28 May ended 110-day hunger strike; daughter Zainab al-Khawaja 24 May convicted over anti-govt protests. King Hamad 3 May ratified amendments to constitution giving extra powers to parliament. U.S. 11 May announced resumption of arms shipments to Bahrain for “external defence”. Gulf Arab countries 14 May held summit in Riyadh, discussed plans of greater union between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia.

Month saw daily anti-govt and pro-reform protests against 22 April Formula 1 race, in support of detained activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja; govt 8 April rejected Danish govt demand to transfer al-Khawaja to Denmark; Court of Cassation 30 April ordered retrial in civil court of 21 pro-democracy activists, including al-Khawaja; leading activist Zainab al-Khawaja detained several times for allegedly insulting police while trying to access father. Explosion 9 April wounded 7 policemen; pro-govt Sunnis 10 April retaliated against Shiite store. Anti-riot police 13 April fired on funeral for activist killed in March. Activists claimed man found dead 21 April killed by police. Explosion 25 April wounded 4 policemen in Diraz. Amnesty International 17 April reported continuing govt violations, inadequate response to Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

Month saw violent street protests in Shiite suburbs of Manama, outlaying villages. Hundreds of thousands pro-democracy protesters 9 March demonstrated outside Manama following call by main Shiite opposition al-Wifaq; anti-govt protesters 24 March clashed with police in 10 locations, including Sitra. National Commission (NC) 20 March presented King Hamad with conclusions on implementation of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report recommendations; govt claimed 90% implemented; opposition groups dismissed NC as biased, said govt reforms mostly “aspirational”. Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) 26 March published report documenting human rights violations since November BICI report, including 31 extrajudicial killings; BCHR President Nabeel Rajab arrested 31 March. Civil court 20 March reversed ruling dropping cases against 15 medical staff convicted of participating in crimes against state during 2011 anti-govt protests.

Police clashed with anti-govt protesters during marches to Pearl Square in Manama ahead of 14 Feb anniversary of uprising; activists 15 Feb claimed over 150 protesters wounded; UNSG Ban 15 Feb expressed concern. Leading activist Zainab al-Khawaja arrested at 12 Feb rally, released from detention 20 Feb. Court same day acquitted Matar Matar, leading member of opposition al-Wefaq party, accused of taking part in “unlawful” anti-govt protests last year.

Clashes continued despite King Hamad 15 Jan constitutional reform proposal. Human rights activist Nabeel Rajab beaten, briefly detained following 6 Jan march in Manama; hundreds protested arrest; U.S urged govt to undertake full investigation. Bahraini Shiite found dead at Amwai islands 14 Jan, opposition alleged he died in custody despite autopsy reporting death by drowning; security forces 21 Jan fired tear gas to disperse mourners marching after authorities refused to authorise earlier funeral march. Police 18 Jan reportedly violently dispersed protesters holding banned demonstration in Manama; 30 Jan reportedly fired tear gas on hunger strikers in prison protesting their detention for 2011 pro-democracy protests. Court of Cassation 9 Jan overturned appeals court ruling sentencing 2 anti-govt protesters to execution. Civil court 9 Jan began hearing for 20 medical staff convicted of taking part in crimes against the state during 2011 anti-govt protests. Trial of 2 policemen accused of torturing to death two Shiites detained following mid-March 2011 crackdown on pro-democracy protests began 11 Jan. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa 29 Jan called for tougher penalties against attacks on security forces.

Security forces 23 Dec attacked HQ of main Shiite opposition party Al-Wefaq in Manama after group challenged new govt ban on its weekly protests. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators 15-18 Dec near Manama; man died 17 Dec reportedly from tear gas inhalation. Police also broke up protests 7, 9, 31 Dec in Manama with tear gas and rubber bullets. Govt 8 Dec announced prosecutors will investigate allegations of abuse by security forces throughout 10-month uprising; UNHCHR Pillay 21 Dec said Bahrain still failing to prosecute security forces. Authorities 24 Dec said free speech charges will be dropped against 343 people. Small explosion 4 Dec near UK embassy.

Govt-commissioned panel 23 Nov found that security forces used excessive force including torture to suppress pro-democracy protests in which 35 people died. King Hamad pledged national commission to steer reforms; head of main Shiite opposition party al-Wefaq said govt responsible for abuses not fit to implement report’s recommendations. Report also dismissed govt’s accusation of Iranian involvement in fomenting unrest. Regular pro-democracy protests continued; hours before publication of report 1 man killed as police dispersed protesters in Manana. Security forces clashed with protesters 24 Nov at funeral in Manama. Authorities 21 Nov said 20 members of security forces charged with alleged abuse of protesters. Police clashed with protesters 19 Nov at memorial for teenager killed by police car in Sitra town. King Hamad 29 Nov dismissed National Security Agency head Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah, member of ruling Al Khalifa family.