SPF Videos are available on SMEIF Archives page and YouTube.

At the invitation of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Bahraini Ambassador to Japan Dr. Khalil Bin Ebrahim Hassan gave a lecture on the topics detailed below concerning the “Arab Spring”& Kingdom of Bahrain Reforms, in Tokyo on November 22 (Thu).

Provoked by the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia which broke out at the end of 2010, the “Arab Spring” spread across the Arab world, and reached Bahrain. In February 2011, protests occurred, led by the Shi'ite population, demanding more political freedom, greater respect for human rights and democratically-elected cabinet government, resulting in clashes between demonstrators and security forces causing fatalities. With the demonstrations escalating, the government of Bahrain deployed troops, and on March 14, at its request, soldiers from Saudi Arabia and police forces from the UAE were dispatched to the country under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council. A three-month state of emergency was declared and the situation gradually settled. However, in April this year, as Bahrain hosted a Formula One race, demonstrations once again erupted around the country.

Meanwhile King Hamad has been showing quick response. He announced on February 11, 2011, that 1,000 Baharain Dinars would be distributed to households in Bahrain. He also carried out reforms such as relaxing of media restrictions, the establishment of a human rights agency, together with legal and other reforms.

Against this background, the Bahraini Ambassador Dr. Khalil Bin Ebrahim Hassan gave a lecture outlining the state of the kingdom, its relations with neighboring countries, the latest information on the situation inside Bahrain, the progress of King Hamad's reforms, and the role of diplomacy at the time of civil unrest.