Editing History of Bahrain (section)

===2000s===
{{Main|2000s in Bahrain}}

In 2001 Bahrainis strongly backed proposals put by the emir – now the king – to turn the country into a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and an independent judiciary. A referendum on 14–15 February 2001 massively supported the [[National Action Charter of Bahrain|National Action Charter]].<ref name="UNDP-POGAR">{{Cite web|title=Country Theme: Elections: Bahrain |publisher=[[United Nations Development Program|UNDP]]-Programme on Governance in the Arab Region |year=2011 |url=http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?t=3&cid=2 |access-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510021433/http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?t=3&cid=2 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The emir gave women the right to vote, and released all political prisoners.<ref name="AI_Bahr_promising">{{Cite report|title=Bahrain: Promising human rights reform must continue |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |id=MDE 11/005/2001 |date=13 March 2001 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde11/005/2001/en/  |access-date=9 February 2011  }}</ref>
As part of the adoption of the National Action Charter on 14 February 2002, Bahrain changed its formal name from the State (''dawla'') of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Kingdom of Bahrain: The Constitutional Changes |url=http://www.theestimate.com/public/022202b.html |access-date=17 February 2011 |newspaper=The Estimate: Political and Security Analysis of the Islamic World and its Neighbors |date=22 February 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003120816/http://www.theestimate.com/public/022202b.html |archive-date=3 October 2009  }}</ref>

Local elections were held in May 2002. For the first time women could vote and stand as candidates, but failed to win a seat. Parliamentary elections – the first such in nearly 30 years – were held in October 2002 for a 40-member parliament, the Council of Deputies, which included a dozen Shia MPs. Authorities said the turnout was more than 50% despite a call by critics for a boycott.

In May 2003 thousands of victims of alleged torture petitioned the king to cancel a law which prevents them from suing suspected torturers. Nada Haffadh was made health minister in April 2004 – the first woman to head a government ministry. The following month, protests in Manama against fighting in the Iraqi holy cities of [[Najaf]] and [[Karbala]] saw the king sack his interior minister after police tried to prevent the protest. In March–June 2005, thousands of protest marchers demanded a fully elected parliament. In the general election of November 2006, the Shia opposition won 40% of the seats. A Shia Muslim, [[Jawad Al-Arrayedh]], was named as a deputy prime minister.

A Jewish woman, [[Houda Nonoo]], was appointed Bahrain's ambassador to the US in 2008 May. She is believed to be the Arab world's first Jewish ambassador.

Authorities arrested several people who allegedly planned to detonate homemade bombs during Bahrain's national celebrations in December 2008. In April 2009, the King pardoned more than 170 prisoners charged with endangering national security, including 35 Shias being tried on charges of trying to overthrow the state. However, in September 2010, in the run up to the elections, 20 Shia opposition leaders were arrested and accused of plotting to overthrow monarchy by promoting violent protests and sabotage. In the October parliamentary elections, the main Shia opposition group, [[Al Wefaq]], could make only slender gains.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>

The country participated in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|military action]] against the [[Taliban]] in October 2001 by deploying a [[frigate]] in the Arabian Sea for rescue and humanitarian operations.<ref name=Europa/> As a result, in November of that year, US president [[George W. Bush]]'s administration designated Bahrain as a "[[major non-NATO ally]]".<ref name=Europa/> Bahrain opposed the [[invasion of Iraq]] and had offered [[Saddam Hussein]] asylum in the days prior to the invasion.<ref name=Europa>{{Cite book|title=The Middle East and North Africa 2004|year=2003|publisher=Europa Publications|isbn=1-85743-184-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/middleeastnortha50thunse/page/232 232]|url=https://archive.org/details/middleeastnortha50thunse|url-access=registration}}</ref> Relations improved with neighbouring [[Qatar]] after the border dispute over the [[Hawar Islands]] was resolved by the [[International Court of Justice]] in [[The Hague]] in 2001. Bahrain negotiated a [[free trade agreement]] with the United States in 2004, although Saudi Arabia criticized the move, saying it hindered regional economic integration.<ref>{{Cite web|title=To Implement the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, and for Other Purposes|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060727-14.html|publisher=White House Archives|access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref>

Qatar and Bahrain have made plans to build the [[Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge]] to link the countries across the Persian Gulf, which would be the longest fixed-link bridge in the world if completed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Qatar, Bahrain to build friendship bridge|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-1506-qatar_bahrain_build_friendship_bridge/|access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref>

====Bahraini uprising (2011–present)====
{{main|Bahraini uprising (2011–present)}}
[[File:Hundreds of thousands of Bahrainis taking part in march of loyalty to martyrs.jpg|thumb|upright|Over 100,000 of Bahrainis taking part in the "[[March of loyalty to martyrs|March of Loyalty to Martyrs]]", honoring political dissidents killed by security forces, on 22 February.]]

The protests in Bahrain started on [[Day of Rage (Bahrain)|14 February]], and were initially aimed at achieving greater [[political freedom]] and respect for [[human rights in Bahrain|human rights]]; they were not intended to directly threaten the [[King of Bahrain|monarchy]].<!--ref name="reutbahdor" /--><ref name="bici">{{cite web|url=http://www.bici.org.bh/|title=Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry |publisher=BICI}}</ref>{{rp|pages=162–3}} Lingering frustration among the Shiite majority with being ruled by the Sunni government was a major root cause, but the protests in Tunisia and Egypt are cited as the inspiration for the demonstrations.<!--ref name="reutbahdor" /--><ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=65}} The protests were largely peaceful until a pre-dawn raid by police on [[Bloody Thursday (2011)|17 February]] to clear protestors from [[Pearl Roundabout]] in [[Manama]], in which police killed four protesters.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=73–4}} Following the raid, some protesters began to expand their aims to a call for the end of the monarchy.<ref name="guardbahdown">{{Cite news|title=Bahrain mourners call for end to monarchy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/18/bahrain-mourners-call-downnfall-monarchy|work=The Guardian|date=18 February 2011|location=London}}</ref> On 18 February [[Bahrain Defense Force|army forces]] opened fire on protesters when they tried to reenter the roundabout, [[Death of Abdulredha Buhmaid|fatally wounding one]].<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=77–8}} The following day protesters reoccupied Pearl Roundabout after the government ordered troops and police to withdraw.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=81}}<ref name="bbcbahtran">{{Cite news|title=Day of transformation in Bahrain's 'sacred square'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12515906|publisher=BBC News |date=19 February 2011}}</ref> Subsequent days saw large demonstrations; on 21 February a pro-government Gathering of National Unity drew tens of thousands,<ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=86}}<ref name="BBC 17.3.2011">{{Cite news|title=Bangladeshis complain of Bahrain rally 'coercion'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12773696|publisher=BBC News |date=17 March 2011}}</ref> whilst on 22 February the number of protestors at the Pearl Roundabout peaked at over 150,000 after more than 100,000 protesters [[March of loyalty to martyrs|marched]] there.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=88}} On 14 March, [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]]-led [[Peninsula Shield|GCC forces]] were requested by the government and entered the country,<ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=132}} which the opposition called an "occupation".<ref name="BBCBahr14Mar">{{cite news| title = Gulf States Send Force to Bahrain Following Protests | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12729786 |publisher=BBC News  | date=14 March 2011 | access-date=15 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110420040119/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12729786| archive-date= 20 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

[[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa|King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]] declared a three-month [[state of emergency]] on 15 March and asked the military to reassert its control as clashes spread across the country.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|page=139}}<ref name="reutbahsoe">{{cite news|title=Bahrain declares state of emergency after unrest|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-bahrain-emergency-idUKTRE72E3E620110315|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111044050/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-bahrain-emergency-idUKTRE72E3E620110315|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2016|agency=Reuters|date=15 March 2011}}</ref> On 16 March, armed soldiers and riot police cleared the protesters' camp in the Pearl Roundabout, in which 3 policemen and 3 protesters were reportedly killed.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=133–4}}<ref>{{cite web| date=16 March 2011 | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131643831976772.html | title = Curfew Follows Deadly Bahrain Crackdown&nbsp;– Curfew Enforced, Several Dead and Hundreds Injured as Security Forces Use Tanks and Helicopters To Quash Protest |publisher=Al Jazeera English | access-date=16 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110414183819/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131643831976772.html| archive-date= 14 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> Later, on 18 March, the government tore down Pearl Roundabout monument.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=150}}<ref name="telbahdes">{{cite news|title=Bahrain authorities destroy Pearl Roundabout|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/bahrain/8390773/Bahrain-authorities-destroy-Pearl-Roundabout.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/bahrain/8390773/Bahrain-authorities-destroy-Pearl-Roundabout.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 March 2011|first=Ben|last=Farmer|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After the lifting of emergency law on 1 June,<ref name="guarbahmll">{{cite news|title=Bahrain sees new clashes as martial law lifted|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/01/bahrain-protests-martial-law|work=The Guardian|date=1 June 2011|first=Martin|last=Chulov|location=London}}</ref> several large rallies were staged by the opposition parties.<ref name="reutbahral">{{cite news|title=Thousands rally for reform in Bahrain|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bahrain-idUSTRE75A19G20110611|agency=Reuters|date=11 June 2011|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170504/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/11/us-bahrain-idUSTRE75A19G20110611|url-status=live}}</ref> Smaller-scale protests and clashes outside of the capital have continued to occur almost daily.<ref name="JSC live blog 25 January 2012">{{cite news|title=Bahrain live blog 25 Jan 2012 |date=25 January 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/bahrain-jan-25-2012-1836 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205042332/http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/bahrain-jan-25-2012-1836 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2012 |access-date=17 February 2012 }}</ref><ref name="JSC 15 February 2012">{{cite news| title = Heavy police presence blocks Bahrain protests | date=15 February 2012 | publisher=Al Jazeera| url = http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/201221415146400277.html | access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref> On 9 March 2012 over 100,000 protested in what the opposition called "the biggest march in our history".<ref name="bbcbahmar">{{cite news|title=Bahrain protesters join anti-government march in Manama|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17309839|publisher=BBC|date=9 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="reutbahmass">{{cite news|title=Mass pro-democracy protest rocks Bahrain|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bahrain-protest-idUKBRE82816T20120309|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111044050/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bahrain-protest-idUKBRE82816T20120309|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2016|agency=Reuters|date=9 March 2012}}</ref>

The police response has been described as a "brutal" crackdown on "peaceful and unarmed" protestors, including doctors and bloggers.<ref name="BBC News">Law, Bill (6 April 2011).  [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12975832 "Police Brutality Turns Bahrain Into 'Island of Fear'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201171629/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12975832 |date=1 February 2016 }}. ''[[Crossing Continents]]'' (via [[BBC News]]). Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref><ref>[[Press release]] (30 March 2011).  [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1103/S01049/usa-emphatic-support-to-saudi-arabia.htm "USA Emphatic Support to Saudi Arabia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019083111/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1103/S01049/usa-emphatic-support-to-saudi-arabia.htm|date=19 October 2017}}. [[Zayd Alisa]] (via [[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]).  Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref><ref>[[Patrick Cockburn|Cockburn, Patrick]] (18 March 2011).  [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-footage-that-reveals-the-brutal-truth-about-bahrains-crackdown-2245364.html "The Footage That Reveals the Brutal Truth About Bahrain's Crackdown&nbsp;– Seven Protest Leaders Arrested as Video Clip Highlights Regime's Ruthless Grip on Power"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628011144/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-footage-that-reveals-the-brutal-truth-about-bahrains-crackdown-2245364.html |date=28 June 2019 }}. ''[[The Independent]]''. Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref> The police carried out midnight house raids in [[Shia Islam|Shia]] neighbourhoods, beatings at checkpoints, and denial of medical care in a "campaign of intimidation".<ref>Wahab, Siraj (18 March 2011).  [http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article320723.ece "Bahrain Arrests Key Opposition Leaders"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307000356/http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article320723.ece |date=7 March 2012 }}. ''[[Arab News]]''. Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref><ref>Law, Bill (22 March 2011). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12817106 "Bahrain Rulers Unleash 'Campaign of Intimidation'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203174855/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12817106 |date=3 December 2017 }}. ''[[Crossing Continents]]'' (via [[BBC News]]). Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref><ref>{{registration required|date=April 2011}} [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f6c2574-54b6-11e0-b1ed-00144feab49a.html "UK&nbsp;– Bahrain Union Suspends General Strike"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827095806/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f6c2574-54b6-11e0-b1ed-00144feab49a.html |date=27 August 2011 }}. ''[[Financial Times]]''.  22 March 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.</ref><ref>Chick, Kristen (1 April 2011). [http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0401/Bahrain-s-calculated-campaign-of-intimidation "Bahrain's Calculated Campaign of Intimidation&nbsp;– Bahraini Activists and Locals Describe Midnight Arrests, Disappearances, Beatings at Checkpoints, and Denial of Medical Care&nbsp;– All Aimed at Deflating the Country's Pro-Democracy Protest Movement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009220832/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0401/Bahrain-s-calculated-campaign-of-intimidation |date=9 October 2017 }}. ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''.  Retrieved 15 April 2011.</ref> More than 2,929 people have been arrested,<ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/11/20111123125645404851.html |title=Bahrain inquiry confirms rights abuses – Middle East |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=19 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004154016/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/11/20111123125645404851.html |archive-date=4 October 2012  }}</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/applying-pressure-on-bahrain/2011/05/09/AF3sV6bG_story.html Applying pressure on Bahrain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010083623/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/applying-pressure-on-bahrain/2011/05/09/AF3sV6bG_story.html |date=10 October 2017 }}, 9 May 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011</ref> and at least five people died from [[torture]] while in police custody.<ref name="bici"/>{{rp|page=287,288}} On 23 November 2011 the [[Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry]] released its report on its investigation of the events, finding that the government had [[Torture in Bahrain|systematically tortured prisoners]] and committed other human rights violations.<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=415–422}} It also rejected the government's claims that the protests were instigated by [[Iran]].<ref name="BBC 9.3.2012">{{cite news| title =  Bahrain protesters join anti-government march in Manama | date=9 March 2012 |publisher=BBC | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17309839 | access-date=11 March 2012}}</ref> Although the report found that systematic torture had stopped,<ref name="bici" />{{rp|pages=417}} the Bahraini government has refused entry to several international human rights groups and news organizations, and delayed a visit by a [[Juan E. Méndez|UN inspector]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/2011718674562571.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=18 July 2011|access-date=20 July 2011|title=Report: Doctors targeted in Bahrain| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718134321/http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/07/2011718674562571.html| archive-date= 18 July 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="reutbahdel">{{cite news|title=Bahrain delays U.N. investigator, limits rights group visits|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bahrain-protests-un-idUKTRE8201VU20120301|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201124440/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bahrain-protests-un-idUKTRE8201VU20120301|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2016|agency=Reuters|date=1 March 2012}}</ref> More than 120 people had [[Casualties of the Bahraini uprising (2011–present)|died]] since the start of the uprising.<ref name="AJE 23.4.2012">Gregg Carlstrom (23 April 2012). [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124231124916976.html "Bahrain court delays ruling in activists case"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915180335/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124231124916976.html |date=15 September 2018 }}. Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 14 June 2012.</ref>