| 1521 - 1602 |
Bahrain was under Portuguese rule. |
| 1602 - 1783 |
Bahrain fell under periodic Persian rule until the Persians were expelled by the Utub tribe whose leading family, the al-Khalifas became the independent sheiks of Bahrain and have ruled to the present. |
| 1801 - 1900 |
The al-Khalifas entered into a mutually beneficial relationship with the British government. Most gulf states entered into similar treaties with the British as a means of securing their positions and gaining protection from more powerful states (e.g. Arabia) in the region. The treaties recognized the sovereignty and borders of the ruling families, and specified that borders could not be altered without British consent. The solidification of borders later became important with the discovery of oil in the region (Bahrain, 1993) |
| Jan 1913 |
A convention acknowledging Bahrain’s independence was signed by the British and Ottoman governments, though Bahrain remained under British administration until 1971. |
| Jan 1932 |
Oil was discovered in Bahrain. |
| Nov 1961 |
Sheikh Isa ibn Salman al Khalifa became amir after the death of his father Sulman bin Hamad al-Khalifa. |
| Jan 1970 |
Administrative and political reforms were established. A 12-member Council of State became the supreme executive authority. Initially, four of the twelve Directors were members of the royal family, and there were equal numbers of Shi’i and Sunni Muslims. The Council was renamed the Cabinet of State, with the Sheik as Prime Minister, in August 1971. |
| Aug 15, 1971 |
Bahrain gained its independence. The Amir is head of state and government |
| Jan 1973 |
Bahrain established an elected National Assembly. |
| 1974 |
There was widespread unrest due to a sharp rise in the cost of living and a delay in the establishment of trade unions. |
| 1975 |
The National Assembly was dissolved and the Constitution suspended Unrest followed |
| Mar 1981 |
Bahrain joined five other Gulf states to form the Gulf Cooperation Council. It was established to improve security in the region. |
| 1982 |
The Shi’i-dominated Bahrain Freedom Movement was established. The more radical Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain (IFLB) has operated at least since 1981 when it attempted a coup against the government. |
| 1984 - 1985 |
The situation in Bahrain was tense because of security concerns. There were rumors of plots to overthrow the government, possibly with the assistance of Iran. Since the suspension of the National Assembly, the government has imposed strict censorship on the press, and banned political parties and trade unions. |
| Oct 1992 |
The government is being pressed from within and without to hold elections for a national assembly. The ruling family is expected to announce its plans for a 30 member appointed council by the end of the year. The Council would advise the ruling family but not have legislative powers. (The Guardian, 10/6/1992) |
| Dec 1993 |
Amnesty International published a critical report on human rights abuses, particularly the forced exportation of nationals, in Bahrain. |
| Dec 1994 |
The Bahrain Freedom Movement (BFM), based in London, said that authorities in Bahrain recently arrested scores of people for signing a petition urging the emir to reinstate the dissolved parliament. The petition organizers reportedly collected 25,000 signatures on the petition calling for more democracy in the country and the return of the National Assembly. They also reported the arrest of Shi’i cleric Sheikh Ali Saman for the second time in three months. There were no independent confirmations of the reports. (Reuters, 12/6/94) |
| Dec 1994 |
There are several opposition movements currently operating in Bahrain including the Islamic Front, the Bahrain Liberation Front, the Islamic Movement of Free Bahrainis, the Popular Front in Bahrain, and the Bahraini Liberation Front. Based mainly within the Shi’i community, they are demanding the guarantee of basic liberties, respect for human rights, free and comprehensive elections, and a new constitution. There is a semblance of martial law in the country. (BBC, 12/29/1994) |
| Dec 14, 1994 |
Police used teargas to disperse a crowd of demonstrators for two nights. Some were arrested. The demonstrations took place in Manama and Qadim, the home of Sheikh Ali Salman. (Reuters) |
| Dec 21, 1994 |
The BFM said that more than 1500 people were believed to have been arrested since unrest began several weeks before. They also reported at least three deaths in clashes between demonstrators and police. Information Minister Tariq Almoyyed said most of those arrested would be released shortly, though some would be tried. Bahrain has persistently played down the protests. (Reuters) |
| Jan 19, 1995 |
Sheikh Ali Salman arrived in London after being released from prison in Bahrain and deported to United Arab Emirates, and asked for political asylum. He was accompanied by two other opposition activists. Britain has close relations with Bahrain which is an important market for British goods. (The Times) The Sheikh said the opposition has no plans to overthrow the ruling Khalifa family or establish an Islamic republic, and added that torture is widespread in Bahrain. Followers of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain (IFLB), National Liberation Front of Bahrain (NLFB), Popular Front (PF), and the BFM have all supported the demonstrations. They are demanding the repatriation of political exiles, inquiry into shootings of demonstrators, the removal of British mercenaries from the country’s security forces, and also political reform . (United Press International (UPI)) Another cleric, Sheikh Al Shoala was deported 1/18/95. He was the fourth cleric deported in a month. (Arab Press Service (APS), 1/21/95) |
| Mar 15 - 31, 1995 |
Abdul Wahhab Hussain, senior officer at the Education Ministry, was arrested after delivering a speech in his village calling on the Prime Minister to initiate talks with pro-democracy forces. His arrest prompted another wave of protest. (COMPASS Newswire, 3/20/1995) |
| Mar 15 - 31, 1995 |
Several state-funded schools have closed after clashes between students and police. On 25 March 1995, one student was killed by police gunfire, after which students refused to return to classes. Amnesty International has said at least seven civilians and two policemen have been killed and scores injured in several incidents over the past four months. (UPI, 3/30/1995) |
| Apr 1, 1995 |
Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri was placed under house arrest prompting new clashes which the BFM claims led to the deaths of three protestors. (COMPASS Newswire, 4/3/1995) BFM spokesman and al-Jamri’s son Mansur al-Jamri said the Sheikh has no links to outside governments or organizations and that the government is trying to portray the disturbances as Sunni vs. Shi’i in order to gain Western sympathy. (BBC, 4/28/1995) |
| Apr 6, 1995 |
The BFM said the emir held high-level talks with opposition leaders in an attempt to restore calm before Bahrain hosts an international economic conference. Tensions in the country increased after the arrest of Sheikh al-Jamri. |
| Jul 1995 |
Reports of daily fires and exploding gas tanks surfaced. Demonstrations against the government continued through May, but the country was calm during June. Information Minister Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mutawa said the fire and bombing campaign was led by foreign groups and was not related to social problems. |
| Jul 31, 1995 |
Sheikh Ali Ashor was arrested in his home. According to the BFM, others were also arrested after clashes in Barri Jamra. (APS, 8/5/1995) |
| Aug 1995 |
Mass arrests and clashes between security forces and anti-government demonstrators broke out on Sitra Island. (COMPASS Newswire, 8/10/1995) While clashes continued throughout the month, the government announced it would pardon 150 detainees. (COMPASS Newswire, 10/17/1995) |
| Sep 1995 |
Opposition leaders and the government agreed to resume dialogue. The government released Abdul Wahab Hussein after eight months in prison. Sheik Abdul al-Jamri was released on September 25th, and the government promised to free 700 others. (COMPASS Newswire, 9/12/1995) |
| Oct 23, 1995 |
Six opposition leaders began a hunger strike in protest at the government’s failure to uphold it’s promise to release hundreds of prisoners. The opposition wants the prisoners’ release, official recognition of the government’s dialogue with the opposition, and provisions for political dialogue. (COMPASS Newswire) |
| Oct 27, 1995 |
A member of Bahrain’s Consultative Council met with hunger striking opposition leaders, but failed to resolve the situation. Tens of thousands of students and others have demonstrated or boycotted school in solidarity with the strikers. (COMPASS Newswire, 10/27/1995) The hunger strikers ended their strike on November 1st without obtaining any concessions from the government. (UPI, 11/1/1995) |
| Nov 6, 1995 |
The government banned public gatherings, and opposition leaders were told they could not lead prayers outside their residential areas, contact any news or opposition organization outside the country, issue any statement, or gather anywhere without permission. (COMPASS Newswire) |
| Nov 28, 1995 |
As students protested, the death sentence against a protestor involved in clashes in which a police officer was killed was upheld in court. Hundreds of students were arrested during the protest. (UPI, 11/28/1995; COMPASS Newswire, 12/1/1995) |
| Dec 16, 1995 |
In National Day gestures, the government pardoned an unspecified number of political prisoners and decreed a number of exiles be allowed to return. Sheikh Isa reiterated, however, that he was not making concessions to the Shi’i led opposition. (UPI, 12/16/1995) |
| Dec 29, 1995 |
Fresh protests erupted in two villages after a four month lull. (Reuters) |
| Jan 1996 |
The BFM said that about 250 police rushed the Grand Mosque in al-Qafool and attacked worshipers. Cleric Sheikh Mohammad al-Rayyash was arrested after giving a speech at al-Daih village. (Reuters, 1/6/1996) On January 22nd, Sheikh al-Jamri was arrested. He had been warned against holding meetings in mosques. (Reuters, 1/13/1996 and 1/22/1996) There were daily riots in late January while security forces continued to crack down on anti-government demonstrations. There were also reports of 140 arson attacks during the month (Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA), 1/27/1996) |
| 1996 |
The government introduced new university admissions requirements that favor the Sunnis and government loyalists. The new requirements accompanied a major shake-up in the university’s administration that removed many Shi’i from senior-level positions. (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996) Approximately 3% of the population, the bidoon (stateless persons who are of Persian Shi’i or Christian origin), do not have passports. Without citizenship, they are unable to legally start businesses, buy land or obtain loans, though in practice many of them do. (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996) |
| Mar 14, 1996 |
At least 400 people were arrested after the firebombing of a restaurant in which seven people were killed. Protests have continued since January. (UPI, 3/15/1996) |
| Mar 28, 1996 |
The ruling family announced it would try Sheikh al-Jamri and others for fomenting a violent campaign against it. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khalifa said the campaign of violence was clearly organized and supported by foreign forces@ (viz. Iran). (Financial Times) |
| Apr 1996 |
The Consultative Council has approved the proposal to set up a High Council for Islamic Affairs in order to unify Muslims. The Council will be involved in preparing studies and holding conferences and seminars on Islam. (DPA, 4/10/1996) |
| May 1996 |
Nine large retail stores were destroyed or damaged in a series of firebombs. The bombings followed a week of civil disturbances led by the BFM. (UPI, 5/5/1996) |
| Jun 1996 |
The leadership of the BFM has denied allegations of a plot to overthrow the government. The BFM also questioned the existence of the Bahrain Hezbollah. The BFM is claims it is composed mainly of professionals and intellectuals and is committed to peaceful constitutional change. (BBC, 6/7/1996) |
| Jul 6, 1996 |
Three Shi’is were sentenced to death for a firebomb on a restaurant in Sitra in March. (APS) |
| Jan 1997 |
Security forces sealed off main roads leading to Shi’i mosques in Manama. Protests continued throughout the latter half of 1996. (APS, 1/25/1997) |
| Mar 1997 |
The State Security Court jailed 36 Shi’i Moslems accused of a pro-Iranian plot to topple the government by fore while acquitting 23 others. Unrest in Bahrain has led to at least 28 deaths and hundreds of arrests since December 1994. (Reuters, 3/29/1997) Shi’is suffer from higher rates of unemployment and are barred from employment in the police or security services. The government maintains that the protests plaguing the country are organized by Hezbollah-Bahrain, allegedly backed by Iran.(Middle East Review of World Information) Alleged members of the Bahrain Hezbollah were on trial. In all, 54 Shi’i Moslems in detention and 27 others being tried in absentia are accused of fomenting violence and anti-government activities. (AFP, 3/6/1997) The existence of a Bahrain Hezbollah itself is questioned by some who accuse the government of fabricating its existence in order to blame outsiders for the political unrest. (Intelligence Newsletter, 7/4/1996) |
| Jun 1997 |
Crown Prince Isa al-Khalifa met with senior interior and defense ministry officials and elite troops to look at the security concerns amid continuing unrest. Numerous Jordanians are reportedly employed as officers in Bahrain’s security forces. (DPA, 6/23/1997) |
| Jul 1997 |
The opposition said 23 Shi’i dissidents were arrested over two days in Arrad. (DPA, 7/16/1997) Following this incident, there are no reports of unrest in the press until March 1999 |
| Aug 1997 |
A U.N. Sub-commission on the protection of minorities has expressed concern over the violation of human rights, including discrimination against the Shi’i majority, extrajudicial executions, allegations of torture, and arbitrary detention, in Bahrain. (DPA, 8/21/1997) |
| Feb 1998 |
Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa took over the military and security apparatus in order to crack down on Shi’i opposition. He later ascended to the throne in March 1999. (Intelligence Newsletter 3/25/1999) |
| Jun 1998 |
The economy improved greatly during 1997 which greatly lowered the intensity of political conflict in the country. Increased oil revenues led to increased government expenditure and improved economic opportunities for the local population. However, it is estimated that 1400 political prisoners remain in jail. Dissidents were publicly executed during 1996, and a popular leader Abdel Amir al-Jamri died while in detention in July 1997. (Middle East Review of World Information) |
| Feb 1999 |
The BFM said Bahrain will begin a secret trial of opposition leader al-Amir Jamri by the State Security Court. (DPA, 2/20/1999) |
| Mar 6, 1999 |
Sheikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa died. The main opposition parties led demonstrations against the ruling family which included the torching of warehouses and public buildings and graffiti calling for release of Shi’i leaders. The opposition made it clear it was still very active and opposed the new premier, Sheik Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. (Intelligence Newsletter, 3/25/1999) |
| Mar 8, 1999 |
Opposition leaders in London, the BFM, PF, and NFLB, announced a halt to their popular protest calling for a return to the constitution and parliament. In a statement to the new leader, opposition leaders urged the release of all political detainees and the beginning of political reconciliation. The opposition offered to discuss the problems with the government. (BBC, 3/11/1999) |
| May 21 - 21, 2004 |
The Bahrain King dismissed the Interior Minister following police clashes with Shia protestors. (The Hindu, 05/23/2004, "Minister sacked over clashes in Bahrain.") |
| Nov 12 - 13, 2005 |
The Shia held a peaceful protest to demonstrate against poverty and unemployment rates in Bahrain. (The Irish Times, 11/14/2005, "$50m fund to boost human rights in Middle East") |
| Nov 25 - 25, 2006 |
Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, a Shia political party in Bahrain, won 16 out of 40 seats in Parliament. (Sengupta, Kim, 11/28/2006, "Alarm at Shia Gains in Bahrain's elections," The Independent-London.) |
