Bahrain Forum for Human Rights: 689 media materials and messages inciting hatred have been recorded in June in Bahrain

The Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (BFHR) said that 689 media materials and messages inciting hatred have been recorded in June by following up what is published in 4 Bahraini newspapers and 39 social networking sites. Meanwhile, an incitement campaign was launched against the sole independent newspaper in Bahrain to close it down, carried out mainly by the adviser in the Ministry of Information Affairs, Sawsan Al-Shaer and Assistant Undersecretary for Information and Follow-up at the Prime Court, Ibrahim Al-Minister's Dosari.

The BFHR explained that “399 media materials were observed on Twitter and Instagram, including accounts of official figures, writers, and journalists,” pointing out that “Ibrahim Al Dosari, Assistant Undersecretary for Information and Follow-up at the Prime Minister's Court, published 53 provocative tweets, former MP Mohammed Khalid published 18 provocative tweets, Said Al-Hamad published 23 provocative tweets, Mona Mutawa published 16 provocative tweets, and Sawsan Al-Shaer published 13 provocative tweets.”

“In the official press, we reached the following results: 96 articles in the Bahraini Al-Watan newspaper, 82 articles in Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper, 72 articles in the Bahraini Al-Ayam newspaper and 31 articles in Al-Bilad newspaper, which constitute in total: 281 media articles inciting hatred,” the BFHR added.

“The authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain and civil society organizations are legally bound by Article 20 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain by Law No. 56 of 2006 – which states that “Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law,” the BFHR said.