Twenty-five human rights activists from the Middle East and North Africa sent an open letter to the US President Barack Obama, who will meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States on April 21 in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Clashes broke out between angry mourners and Bahraini security forces on Friday (April 8, 2016), after regime forces used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse hundreds of mourners participating in the final funeral procession of martyr Ali Abdulghani.

The United States Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby stated that Secretary of State John Kerry discussed with the King of Bahrain a number of issues, including human rights.

The US Department of State confirmed news circulated in the media about an unannounced meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and members of the opposition and civil society during his visit to Bahrain.

CNN said that the US Secretary of State John Kerry, during his visit to Bahrain on April 7, 2016, met privately with members of Bahrain's opposition and civil society.

The recent anti-Iran and Hezbollah statements made by the Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa were widely addressed in Israeli media, and received special coverage in top newspapers such as the Jerusalem Post.

The BBC Arabic said that Bahrain announced its intention to release human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja, who is currently serving a prison sentence, coinciding with the visit the US Secretary of State John Kerry paid to Bahrain.

A Bahraini court sentenced on Thursday (April 7, 2016) Dr. Saeed Al-Samahiji to one year in prison over a tweet he send via his personal Twitter account.

Bahrain Mirror (AP): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with opposition groups in the island nation of Bahrain during his visit.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gently pressed Bahrain on human rights on Thursday as he praised security cooperation with the Gulf monarchy, where the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in part as a bulwark against Iran.

The deputy president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Yousif Al-Mohafdha stressed that the Formula One drivers and organizers of the race might not be aware that they are helping the Bahraini regime cover up human rights abuses and violations of freedom of expression.

The Telegraph addressed “the storm of abuse” that the British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton invited on Sunday afternoon after “professing his adoration of Bahrain culture,” in a tweet.

The British daily The Guardian published an article in which it highlights the letter sent by the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) to Jean Todt, president of FIA, raising its concerns about alleged serious human rights violations in the country.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry criticized the Bahraini opposition for boycotting the elections during a press conference with his Bahraini counterpart.

The National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad) said that the Bahraini authorities interrogated on Wednesday (April 6, 2016) the member of Wa’ad’s political bureau Ibrahim Al-Dirazi and then released him.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday he believed respect for human rights and an inclusive political system is essential for Bahrain, following international criticism of the Gulf monarchy's rights record.

Bahrain Mirror (AFP): US Secretary of State John Kerry told Bahrain Thursday that respect for human rights is "essential", as the Gulf kingdom faces persistent accusations of discrimination against its Shiite majority.

Bahrain Mirror (AP): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dealt delicately on Thursday with concerns about persistent human rights abuses in Bahrain, stressing America's close military relationship with one of several Persian Gulf countries that Washington wants to enhance cooperation on fighting the Islamic State and containing Iran.

Bahrain Mirror (AFP): US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Wednesday in Bahrain where he is expected to discuss human rights and regional conflicts ahead of a Gulf summit to be attended by President Barack Obama.

Member of Bahrain's Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Abdulrahman Al-Mu'awda, said that the unit will now launch an investigation in the circumstances surrounding Ali Abdulghani's death.