Middle East | PLACE

Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch, second left, Abdullah al-Durazi, head of the Bahrain Human Rights Organization, second right, and Human Rights Watch attorney Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, right, address journalists and Western diplomats Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at a press conference in Manama, Bahrain. Stork claimed Bahrain has resumed torturing security detainees in the past two years, calling it a "distressing" relapse after showing the political will to stop the practice.

An unidentified human rights activist listens Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at a press conference in Manama, Bahrain, where Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch, unseen, claims Bahrain has resumed torturing security detainees in the past two years. Stork called it a "distressing" relapse after showing the political will to stop the practice.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, right, talks to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, left, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. Talks come within the framework of efforts aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, right, speaks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, center, and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, left, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. Talks come within the framework of efforts aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.

In this 2009 photo released by Human Rights Watch, a pair of men work construction on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. New York University announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 that workers involved in building and operating New York University's Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi must have protections in areas such as how often they are paid and how many hours they can work in a week.

In this 2009 photo released by Human Rights Watch, a group of men work construction on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. New York University announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 that workers involved in building and operating New York University's Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi must have protections in areas such as how often they are paid and how many hours they can work in a week.

In this 2009 photo released by Human Rights Watch, a group of men work construction on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. New York University announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 that workers involved in building and operating New York University's Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi must have protections in areas such as how often they are paid and how many hours they can work in a week.

Special envoy to the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers Tony Blair, center, gestures during his visit to the West Bank village of Sebastia, near Nablus, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - FEBRUARY 2: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (3rd R) speaks beside Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (4th R), Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini (5th R) and Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (5th L) during a Joint Government meeting at Netanyahu's office on February 2, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Berlusconi is on a three day official visit to the region, accompanied by seven members of his cabinet, to improve bi-lateral relations and to discuss the ongoing peace process in the Middle East.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - FEBRUARY 2: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrives to attend a Joint Government meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at Netanyahu's office on February 2, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Berlusconi is on a three day official visit to the region, accompanied by seven members of his cabinet, to improve bi-lateral relations and to discuss the ongoing peace process in the Middle East.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - FEBRUARY 2: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L) speaks during a Joint Government meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L) at Netanyahu's office on February 2, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Berlusconi is on a three day official visit to the region, accompanied by seven members of his cabinet, to improve bi-lateral relations and to discuss the ongoing peace process in the Middle East.

Special Middle East envoy to the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers Tony Blair, left, walks at an ancient Roman historical site during his visit to the West Bank village of Sebastia, near Nablus, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Joseph Ireland of the band The Middle East performs as part of the Laneway Festival, set in the lanes and streets of the Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle on January 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Jordan Ireland of the band The Middle East performs as part of the Laneway Festival, set in the lanes and streets of the Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle on January 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Jordan Ireland of the band The Middle East performs as part of the Laneway Festival, set in the lanes and streets of the Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle on January 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Rohin Jones of the band The Middle East performs as part of the Laneway Festival, set in the lanes and streets of the Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle on January 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

LONDON - JANUARY 29: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street on January 29, 2010 in London, England. Abbas is visiting Europe where he will meet with the leaders of Britain, Germany and Russia, following his talks with US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell over the stalled Middle East peace talks.

LONDON - JANUARY 29: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) is welcomed by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street on January 29, 2010 in London, England. Abbas is visiting Europe where he will meet with the leaders of Britain, Germany and Russia, following his talks with US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell over the stalled Middle East peace talks.

LONDON -JANUARY 29: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO) Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street on January 29, 2010 in London, England. Abbas is visiting Europe where he will meet with the leaders of Britain, Germany and Russia, following his talks with US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell over the stalled Middle East peace talks.

LONDON -JANUARY 29: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO) Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street on January 29, 2010 in London, England. Abbas is visiting Europe where he will meet with the leaders of Britain, Germany and Russia, following his talks with US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell over the stalled Middle East peace talks.