Numerous reports obtained by the Research Directorate describe the Bahrain Freedom Movement (BFM) as being a London-based opposition movement, but none indicates whether the group has members or supporters inside Bahrain. A 22 January 1998 report in the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Viewswire states that several key BFM activists in exile have been tried in absentia.

Research Directorate efforts to obtain information from the Bahrain Freedom Movement in London were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

EIU Viewswire. 22 January 1998. "Bahrain Politics: Unrest and Repression." (NEXIS)

Freedom in the World 1998-1999.

IRB databases.

LEXIS-NEXIS.

World News Connection (WNC).

One oral source.

Internet sites including:

Alayam.

Amnesty International.

ArabNet.

ArabicNews.com

Bahrain Focus.

Bahrain Human Rights Organization (BHRO).

Bahrain Tribune.

Gulf Daily News.

Human Rights Internet (HRI).

Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Middle East Daily.

Political Parties, Interest Groups and Other Movements.

Voice of Bahrain.

Internet search engines:

AlltheWeb.com

Dogpile.

Google.

GoTo.com.

Metacrawler.