[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
Regional and International Relations
It’s shameful the way Britain kowtows to the super-rich Ian Jack analyzes the significance of Prince Alwaleed’s outrage at his ranking in Forbes and its statement on the behavior of the super-wealthy, in The Guardian.
How can the royals champion women and endorse Saudi? Catherine Bennett examines the implication of Charles and Camilla’s visit to Saudi Arabia for their support of women’s rights, in The Guardian.
Saudi Arabian princes exempt from UK immigration controls, court told Owen Bowcott discusses the claims of “sovereign immunity” made by Prince Mishal bin Abdulaziz and his son, in The Guardian.
Gulf Oil Monarchies Bully Lebanon Over Syria Stance Hassan Illeik explores the tense relationship between Lebanon and the Gulf states, on Al-Akhbar English.
Egypt: Qatar’s Suez Canal Bid Abdel Rahman Youssef examines the Emirati-Qatari competition over the Suez Canal.
Reports and Opinions
Forbes list understates my wealth, Saudi prince says A news report on Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal’s accusation of Forbes magazines of understating his wealth by $20bn, on BCC.
Prince Alwaleed And The Curious Case of Kingdom Holding Stock Kerry Dolan writes on Forbes’ examination of the prince’s wealth and conclusion that he exaggerates the value of his Kingdom Holding, in Forbes.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal insulted at only being No. 26 on Forbes rich list Simon Neville and Josephine Moulds comment on the prince’s reaction to his rank in Forbes and his threat to sever all tied with the group’s reports, in The Guardian.
Human rights in Saudi Arabia: Go to jail An article on the jail sentences of the Saudi activists Abdullah al Hamid and Muhammad al Qahtani, who are cofounders of the Association for Civil and Political Rights, in The Economist.
Saudi Arabia – The authorities imprison prominent human rights defenders Dr. Abdulla Al-Hamid and Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and dissolve the Association for Civil and Political Rights (ACPRA) A news report on the latest repressive measures in Saudi Arabia, on Gulf Center for Human Rights.
Saudi Arabia delays execution of seven facing crucifixion and firing squad A news report on King Abdulla’s decision to review the sentences of seven people who were minors at the time they were arrested for armed robbery, in The Guardian.
Saudis ‘consider nullifying’ public beheading A news report on Saudi Arabia considering the adoption of fatal shooting as an alternative method of execution, on Al Jazeera English.
Saudi shortage of swordsmen prompts approval of executions by firing squads A news report on the reason that prompts the Saudi government to reconsider beheading as the method of execution, in The Guardian.
Saudi Arabia frees female prisoners jailed this month A news report on the release of all but two of a group of women who were demanding the release of their relatives, on Al-Akhbar English.
UAE: Unfair trial concerns confirmed as observers denied access to room A news report on the transparency of the trial of ninety-four activists in the Gulf state, on Alkarama.
The UAE’s bizarre, political trial of 94 activists David Hearst analyzes the trial of the ninety-four Emirati activists whose government enjoys the support of Western countries, in The Guardian.
Kuwait – Journalist Zayed Al-Zaid imprisoned over article tackling corruption A news report on the arrest of the publisher of the electronic newspaper “Alaan” for calling for the combatting of corruption in Kuwait, on Gulf Center for Human Rights.
Repression in Bahrain
When Will Justice Be Served in Bahrain? Sharif Abdel Kouddous writes on the ongoing persecution of protesters in Bahrain and the American government’s failure to condemn the regime, in The Nation.
Bahrain acquits leading rights activist A news report on the acquittal of Yousif al-Muhafda, deputy head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, of charges of circulating false news on Twitter, on Al-Akhbar English.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen unyielding on child executions A news report on the statement issued by human rights groups condemning the executions of minors in Yemen, on Al Jazeera English.
Friends of Yemen urge donors to release funds for humanitarian aid Les Roopanarine writes on the necessity to disburse funds promised to Yemen by the international community, in The Guardian.
Young, behind bars and in peril in Yemen Belkis Wille writes on her meeting with young Yemenis who are sentenced to death as juveniles, on New Statesmen.
Where children are sentenced to death Priyanka Motaparthy offers another account of the experiences of children in Yemeni prisons, on CNN.
Human Rights Watch
Saudi Arabia: Release Jailed Rights Activists A statement by the organization condemning the Saudi government’s latest jail sentences of activists and the dissolution of the Association for Civil and Political Rights.
Saudi Arabia: Disclose Whereabouts of Jordanian Activist A statement by the organization calling upon the Saudi authorities to free or charge Khaled al-Natour who was detained in January at King Khaled International Aiport.
UAE: Ensure Safety of 94 on Trial A statement by the organization calling on the Emirati government to address allegations of ill-treatment.
Yemen: Halt Execution of Alleged Juvenile Offender A statement by the organization calling upon the Yemeni president to immediately halt the scheduled execution of a man who was a minor at the time of the alleged crime.
Bahrain: Ministry Statements Unfounded A statement by the organization refuting allegation made by the Bahraini Interior Ministry and Social Development Ministry to the effect that Human Rights Watch representatives have misrepresented what ministry officials said in meetings.
Arabic
السعودية تدرس إلغاء الإعدام بالسيف واعتماد الرصاص
A news report on Saudi Arabia potential discontinuation of executions by sword.
السلطات السعودية تفرج عن مئة متظاهر من أصل 176 اعتقلتهم قبل أسبوع
A news report on the Saudi authorities` release of one hundred and seventy-six protesters who were arrested last week in Qassim while demanding fair treatment for prisoners.
السعودية: قصة ربيع استثنائي
Fouad Ibrahim examines the ongoing protests in Saudi Arabia despite the authorities` efforts to harass and imprison opponents of the regime.
ماذا تريد السعودية من الأزهر؟
Fouad Ibrahim analyzes the relationship between the Saudi government and Egypt`s al-Azhar.
السعودية: حكم بإعدام 7 شبان يكشف علل القضاء ويثير استنكاراً دولياً
Layla al-Shimari writes on the Saudi government`s decision to delay the execution of seven men who were minors at the time of their crimes.
السعودية: 11 عاماً للناشط عبدالله الحامد و10 للقحطاني وحل "جمعية حسم" ومصادرة اموالها ومنعهما من السفر بعد انتهاء محكوميتها بمدة مماثلة والمنتدى الخليجي يندد
A news report on the jail sentences of two activists and the dissolution of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association.
السعودية تحذر من المس بأمنها
A news report on Saudi Arabia`s warning of Iraq`s Hezbollah against any threat to its security.
محكمة سعودية تصدر احكاما مشددة بحق ناشطين حقوقيين سعوديين
A news report on a Saudi court`s decision to dissolve the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association for operating without permission.
المنامة تربط "خلية الإمام" بإيران وحزب الله
A news report on the arrest of members of "The Imam`s Cell" in Bahrain, and the Bahraini authorities` accusation of Iran and Hezbollah of training and funding the cell.
اتهامات للنظام بعد الجدية: الحوار البحريني يراوح مكانه
A news report on the lack of progress in Bahrain`s national dialogue.
الحوار الوطني في البحرين: المعارضة تلوح بالانسحاب بعد رفض "الحكم" المشاركة
Another news report on the status of the national dialogue in Bahrain.
الإمارات: محاكمة "إخوانية" بلا رقابة
A news report on the beginning of the trial of ninety-four Emirati Islamists, who are accused of attempting to overthrow the regime, amid concerns over the transparency of the trial.
اللجان الشعبية اليمنية في مرمى "القاعدة": 12 قتيلاً في تفجير انتحاري
A news report on the death of eleven Yemenis in Abyan in a suicide attack following the collapse of the talks between the Yemeni government and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
اليمن: نذر "عصيان مدني" في الجنوب
A news report on the Southern Movement`s call for civil disobedience in southern Yemen.
اختتام تمارين صقر الخليج العسكرية بين قطر وفرنسا
A news report on the end of Gulf Falcon `13 Exercise between French and Qatari armed forces.
صراع قطري-إماراتي على قناة السويس
Abdel Rahman Youssef writes on the Qatari-Emirati competition over the Suez Canal.
أمير قطر يشتري 6 جزر يونانية
A news report on Qatar`s Prince Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani`s purchase of six islands in Greece.