Bahrain, along with its allies in the Arab Gulf, claims to combat terrorism and extremist Islamic groups. But, does it really do so?

Assigning a new board of directors to the Jaffaria Endowments Directorate (Waqf) was not something new, it was a confirmation that King Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa is pulling the strings in the Endowments Directorate without taking into consideration that it is a religious institution that concerns the Shiite sect.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved general state budget 2019-2020.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa directed the security agencies to strictly deal with cases of misusing social media outlets.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday (May 12, 2019).

On July 17, 2017, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ratified the Alternative Penalty Law, which authorizes the public prosecution or the judge to replace the sentence of preventive detention with a commuted penalty, including house arrest.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa directed the Government to reinforce its capabilities, for the effective implementation of the provisions of the penal code on alternative sentencing, Bahrain News Agency reported on Thursday (April 18, 2019).

A human rights adviser to the Embassy of Bahrain in London, Hasan Shafaei, said that “more good news was coming,” referring to new steps that may be taken by the Bahraini government with regards to rights, reported author Bill Law, which comes following the decision to restore the citizenships of 551 Bahrainis which were withdrawn by judicial rulings.

"French President Emmanuel Macron should not hold back in criticizing Bahrain's dismal rights record during King Hamad Al Khalifa's visit to Paris on April 30," Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Bahrain has signed 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding with French companies and institutions worth $2 billion, Bahrain news agency (BNA) reported on Monday.

Major opposition and activist figures who were stripped of Bahraini citizenship are not among hundreds of people whose nationality will be restored under an amnesty announced last week, a Reuters review of the list shows.

On July 26, 2013, a Royal Decree was issued extending the powers of the Supreme Defense Council and granting it the authority to adopt strategies and programs for the development of national security. Upon reviewing the laws governing the performance of this Council, it will be clear that establishing the security doctrine and drawing the security policy is limited to members of this council, which consists of first and second-rank Al Khalifa figures and probably some individuals from families loyal to the ruling family exclusively.

The steps taken by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa after assuming power in March 1999 do not reflect even a fragment of willingness to work towards political reform, as the man hasn’t ever stood behind a reformist project, or even had a different vision to move the country forward into a space other than that in which it has remained in under the reigns of his father or grandfathers.

After about a year of this bitter image, and particularly on November 22, 2000, the outlines of the “National Action Charter” started to appear as a political project aimed at ending the endeavors of the 1990s constitutional uprising (1994-2001).

I don’t know what to write. I address you on the twentieth anniversary of your coronation and I am totally surprised at your speech on democracy, freedom, justice, co-existence and similar terms and concepts.

London-based Salam for Democracy and Human Rights published on Tuesday February 26, 2019, a list including the names of political prisoners sentenced to death in Bahrain.

February 14, the event that never ends. Why? It’s because the movement of the people doesn’t come to an end. Its spark may fade for a while, but then it comes back ignited with a new spirit.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Order on Sunday (February 3, 2019) promoting 776 BDF officers in the various ranks.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is on a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, said that “Bahrain is steadily moving forward on the right path to maintain its stability and the continuity of development and progress,” reported the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

Amnesty International addressed on Thursday (December 13th, 2018) the Bahraini authorities in an urgent action appeal, demanding the immediate release of imprisoned human rights activist Nabeel Rajab. The organization confirmed that Rajab was sentenced for expressing his opinion in peaceful tweets.