Bahrain: Bahrain among most dangerous places for journalists

Source: IRNA

Bahrain is among the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, the German section of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said here Thursday in a statement.

The Paris-based media watchdog branded Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa an 'enemy of press freedom.'

It lambasted the Bahraini regime for its brutal treatment of media representatives ahead of this weekend's ritzy Formula One race in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

Local online activists, journalists and especially photographers have been systematically threatened and attacked at demonstrations in Bahrain, according to RSF. Many of them have been arrested and sentenced to prison by military courts. Torture is commonly being used in prisons, it added.

The RSF press statement comes only two days after the London-based human rights group Amnesty International (AI) reported about ongoing massive human rights violations in Bahrain.

'With the world's eyes on Bahrain as it prepares to host the (Formula One) Grand Prix, no one should be under any illusions that the country's human rights crisis is over,' said Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui in the 58-page report.

'The authorities are trying to portray the country as being on the road to reform, but we continue to receive reports of torture and use of unnecessary and excessive force against protests,' Sahraoui said, adding that so far, 'reforms have only scratched the surface.'

AI stressed also Bahraini authorities 'have failed to provide justice for victims of human rights violations.'