…from beneath the crooked bough, witness 230 years of brutal tyranny by the al Khalifas come to an end

Please stop in again. I’m setting up the technical structure for the column and I am working on my first article. I will give you a better introduction to who I am and by request, share some of my experience and understanding of how US Congress can be effectively moved to action and help change US policy. This post is up on 4/24 and I’m hoping to get something written in the next few days.

‘US behind heinous crimes of Bahraini regime’
21 April, 2012 – PressTV

Finian Cunningham, Middle East & East Africa Correspondent of Global Research says the U.S. government is the root cause of problems in the protest-hit tiny Persian Gulf country of Bahrain.

“The United States government is the root of the problem. The Khalifa regime is despicable and needs to be removed if there is any democratic progress in Bahrain but the root problem is Washington,” Finian Cunningham told press TV’s U.S. Desk in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

He continued, “Washington is the primary sponsor of that regime and they fund the regime with something like fifty million dollars of military aid that came through within the last few months. They gave the regime diplomatic cover, political cover.”

“I mean all the crimes that this regime is committing, the United States is well aware of it, and have been for years. They are well aware of the heinous crimes by the Khalifah regime, the repression, incarceration, torture, lethal use of force against the protesters. The American government is well aware of it and say nothing,” Cunningham added

Bahrain has had peaceful anti-regime protests following the 2011 revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt that overthrew their U.S.-backed dictators.

editor: The al Khalifa regime is apparently clueless or is so over confident in their brutal reign, they expect the good people of Bahrain to tolerate this atrocity and the continued detention of “freedom or death” hunger striker Alkhawaja’, suffering as he lay near death. It is incomprehensible why the regime would lure the F1 teams and it’s sponsors with lies of security, as the regime facilitates riotous conditions that that could well be far more dire than those during the Saudi invasion of March 2011. It truly seems the regime is agitating riotous conditions to occur on race day. Crash and burn King Hamad you arrogant mother fucker! Phlipn.

Bahrain: Activist found dead ahead of Grand Prix
BBC – 21 April, 2012

A man has been killed in Bahrain during overnight clashes with the security forces, activists say, a day before Sunday’s F1 Grand Prix.

Officials said an investigation had been launched after his body was discovered in a Shia village near the capital, Manama.

On Friday, tens of thousands took part in at times violent protests demanding an end to the crackdown on dissent.

The discovery came as practice and qualifying sessions for the Grand Prix were taking place. Mainly Shia protesters have announced “days of rage” against the race.

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, only went ahead with the Grand Prix after the government said it had security under control.

Last year’s Grand Prix was cancelled after 35 people died in February and March during a crackdown on mass demonstrations calling for greater democracy.

The protesters demand an end to discrimination against the majority Shia Muslim community by the Sunni royal family.

Human rights groups and activists estimate that at least 25 people have died since the start of the protests, many as a result of what has been described as the excessive use of tear gas.

Investigation
Activists from opposition group al-Wefaq named the man found dead on Saturday as Salah Abbas Habib, 37, and accused government forces of killing him.

An earlier unconfirmed report said the man had been found with gunshot wounds.

Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Al Hasan confirmed his body had been found in “suspicious circumstances” and said more details of the investigation would be released as they became available.

On Friday, Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said cancelling the Grand Prix “just empowers extremists”, and insisted that holding the race would “build bridges across communities”.

Jean Todt, the president of the motor racing governing body, the FIA, said he had no regrets about the race, as extensive investigations into the situation in Bahrain had unearthed “nothing (that) could allow us to stop the race”. …more

The Formula One governing body has decided to press ahead with the Grand Prix in Bahrain, a country in a year-long uprising against brutal dictatorship. 20 April, 2012 – PressTV

INTERVIEW VIDEO HERE

Press TV has interviewed Colin Cavell, former lecturer at University of Bahrain, Austin, Texas about what is happening behind the scenes to enable the Formula One to go ahead in Bahrain. What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.

Press TV: In Bahrain I’m sure you’re well aware Formula One is having its race there. Should the sponsors and the supporters of the Grand Prix be the ones to blame or Western governments associated to them like the UK, be the ones to blame in this case?

Cavell: There is blame to go around to a number of folks. Definitely, Bernie Ecclestone, head of the F1 is getting paid off royally. I just hope that he received his money in advance because the people are going to speak with one voice this weekend and they’re going to make sure that Formula One does not go as planned.

Western governments of course are responsible for supporting the al-Khalifas and indeed there’s tremendous guilt on the part of the US State Department employees and on the part of the US president and in fact on the part of all Americans. We are appalled to be supporting a tyrannical monarchy like the al-Khalifas.

If we weren’t addicted to oil in the Middle East we would not be in this position, but we are in a very bad position and the US acts with guilt in carrying out its support for the al-Khalifas.

Press TV: We just heard words from UK Prime Minister David Cameron talking about a reform process underway in Bahrain. What reform is he talking about?

Cavell: David Cameron is talking about pulling the wool over peoples’ eyes. There is absolutely no reform in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is an attempt at obfuscation. In other words, a show of lights to make people think there is something going on to change the situation, but there is absolutely no change going on.

The regime is still torturing people, still jailing people, still killing people; they have no political legitimacy; they have no moral legitimacy. Indeed, the regime is dying in decay; all it needs is a wind to blow it away. And the people of Bahrain are that wind.

Press TV: I know that in the US if you have a celebrity who is caught for just something minor, in the case where there is a sponsor behind them, that celebrity is disqualified from representing that company.

Yet here we have all these major corporations from around the world going through with this on an island that’s being cited for human rights violations for the past year not to mention all the different types of violations of human rights taking place.

Cavell: It’s blood money. The regime did not hold the Formula One last year and they are spending tons of money this year to try to tell the world that things have returned to normal. And of course they have not returned to normal. As Mr. Sadiq (another guest to the program) pointed out, sport is part of the political family.

That is to say, you are my brother, Mr. Sadiq is my brother. If I am invited over for a meal and I see dead bodies around the house I don’t say I’m just here to eat… No, I have to make a judgment and get involved and say what’s going on here?

And this is the responsibility of the drivers; this is the responsibility of the corporations; this is the responsibility of Bernie Ecclestone… They all have to take responsibility for what they are doing here – supporting a murderous tyrannical regime.

Press TV: Behind the scenes we hear about this 50 million dollar arms sales of military equipment that includes teargas, which was going to be sold, then they refrained from doing it because of some law that was brought up – I can’t recall – but then they are trying to push this through to get an approval to sell it in increments. So the US wants military equipment to be sold.

What is the stance of the US regarding Bahrain? Our guest in Detroit said to clarify their stance, but I think their arms sale kind of speaks louder than obviously words.

Cavell: Absolutely. They could not get through Congress a 50 million dollar arms sale so what they did was they decided to sell it in increments of less than a million dollars, which does not need Congressional approval.

So, it indicates that the US still wants to support this murderous tyrannical regime and it’s appalling. Most Americans would be appalled at what we’re doing if they knew what was going on, which is why the Western press is not covering our support for these dictatorships, for these monarchical tyrants.

F1 grand prix: Bahrain denies entry to journalists
Mark Sweney – guardian.co.uk – 20 April, 2012

Sky News chief correspondent among non-sport reporters refused access in attempt to stifle coverage of protests

Bahrain has denied entry to a number of journalists from news organisations including Sky, which holds the UK TV rights to broadcast this weekend’s controversial Formula One grand prix from the Gulf state, as the regime attempts to stifle coverage of political protests.

Bahrain’s authorities have granted permission for journalists who regularly cover Formula One to enter the country but have denied visas to other reporters from news organisations including Sky News, CNN, Reuters and the Financial Times.

Journalists who have been refused entry include Stuart Ramsay, chief correspondent at Sky News, who is being forced to file coverage from Dubai.

“Govt refuses to explain why I can’t come in,” Ramsay said on Twitter. “Govt welcomes f1 but not independent journalists who actually understand the complexity of this issue.”

Ramsay expressed his frustration in another tweet. “Lots of confusion sky tv is big sky news and sky sports and sky movies are all different I am news and all govts know this,” he said. “We are excluded without redress but have asked to represent all sides.” …more

Body found of a #Bahrain democracy activist! Last seen chased by police. He still has a gas mask on! #Ecclestone #f1 responsible his death

: Eye witness confirm that martyr Salah was taken at night & his body wasn’t there. It was brought today morning. #Bahrain

Friends of Salah said they are pretty sure that his body is full of shot gin pellets and torture marks #Bahrain #F1disgrace

Confirmed: Body of the young man “Salah” from AbuSaibai died due to Bird Shots..We’re being treated like
animals!

Red Bull’s double world champion Sebastian Vettel played down the trouble. “I haven’t seen anyone throwing bombs. I don’t think it’s that bad. I think it’s a lot of hype.”

Of course Red Bull’s, Sebastian Vettel had nothing to say about the bodies of protesters found murdered in the streets.

Time for Technology Companies to Stand Up for Human Rights
18 April, 2012 – EFF

San Francisco – It’s time for technology companies that sell surveillance and filtering equipment to step up and ensure they aren’t helping governments in committing human rights violations. In a white paper released today entitled “Human Rights and Technology Sales,” EFF outlines how corporations can avoid assisting repressive regimes.

The paper calls on companies to increase transparency of their dealings with potentially repressive regimes and to implement “Know Your Customer” standards for auditing technology sales, including review of the purchasing government’s technical questions and customization requests. If the review indicates that the technologies or transactions may be used to facilitate human rights violations, the company should refrain from participating.

“Authoritarian governments around the world often rely on technologies built in North America and Europe to spy on their citizens – including listening in to cell phone calls, scanning crowd photographs with facial recognition tools, and monitoring mobile networks with voice recognition technology. These can have deadly ramifications for activists and others in repressive regimes,” said EFF Director for International Freedom of Expression Jillian York. “We’re asking companies to take responsibility for the uses that governments make of their products, instead of acting like ‘repression’s little helper.'” …more

Hackers target F1 websites over Bahrain GP
20 April, 2012 – The Daily Star – AP

LONDON: Hacking collective Anonymous has claimed responsibility for a denial-of-service attack on the official Formula One website in protest over the running of the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

The group also attacked F1-racers.net where it posted a message saying the “Formula 1 racing authority was well-aware of the Human Rights situation in Bahrain and still chose to contribute to the regime’s oppression of civilians and will be punished.”

The Bahrain Grand Prix is going ahead despite violent clashes between riot police and demonstrators who believe the race should not be held until the government ends its rights abuses and enacts concrete reforms that benefit the Shiite majority.

Formula1.com was unavailable to many users for some of the day Friday. Denial-of-service attacks work by overwhelming a website with bogus traffic.
…more

CNN: Bahrain’s Formula1 is an insult to country’s democratic reformers
By Maran Turner – Special to CNN – 20 April, 2012

(CNN) – “Unified: One nation in celebration” is the jubilant slogan of this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain. The irony could not be harsher: while sports fans look forward to this glamorous race, one of the country’s most prominent human rights activists is close to death in protest of his ongoing unlawful detention.

Solidarity protests in the streets continue to be brutally suppressed. From the perspective of a majority of Bahrain’s population, it is not one nation. And it is certainly not celebrating.

One day after the race, on April 23, the Bahrain government will announce a decision that may determine the island kingdom’s fate.

This decision is whether to release Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a well-known and internationally respected human rights activist in Bahrain. While the watchful international community is hoping for release, it is entirely possible that the decision may only be a call for a new trial. Mr. al-Khawaja is unlikely to survive long enough to participate in a sham trial.

Since February 8, while most of us have enjoyed more than 200 meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, Mr. al-Khawaja has had zero. Not a morsel of food in over 70 days. He is on a hunger strike and his intentions have been clear from the beginning — freedom or death.

When Bahrain erupted in protests last spring — the Arab Spring — Abdulhadi al-Khawaja emerged as a central figure in the peoples’ (in particular the Shi’a minority’s) struggle for democracy. This is not a surprise to people who are familiar with his more than 20 years of human rights advocacy. But after suffering greatly at the hands of authorities and being convicted on bogus security charges by a military tribunal, the advocate has become a victim of Bahrain’s abuse and a symbol of its intolerance. …more

For Immediate Release: U.S. Senators Call for Release of Freedom Now Client Abdulhadi al-Khawaja
20 April, 2012 – Freedom Now

Today, four members of the United States Senate, including Senators Richard Durbin (D-Il), Robert Casey (D-PE), Marco Rubio (R-Fl), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to release longtime human rights advocate Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. In the letter, attached, the Senators declared:

We write to urge your government to release Mr. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja on urgent humanitarian grounds. . ..Mr. al-Khawaja’s continued imprisonment has placed his life in jeopardy and threatens to further inflame tensions in Bahrain. We recognize that your government has made progress on some of the recommendations of the BICI report, and we encourage additional efforts to advance an inclusive political dialogue that will address issues raised by peaceful protestors and will put Bahrain on a path of long-term stability.

Freedom Now Executive Director Maran Turner stated: “Freedom Now echoes the urgent call by these Senators, who join thousands of voices all over the world, on the Bahrain government to release Mr. al-Khawaja, and to make meaningful progress in the reform process. The Bahrain government holds Mr. al-Khawaja’s life in its hands, and is doing so with no basis in law. If Mr. al-Khawaja is not released soon, he will surely die. The Government of Bahrain must demonstrate compassion and respect for international law and immediately release Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.”

Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is a prominent human rights defender imprisoned in Bahrain for his outspoken advocacy in the pro-reform protests in Bahrain. He is more than 70 days into a hunger strike, which he began on February 8 to protest his imprisonment and the inhumane treatment to which he was subjected by Bahraini authorities. Arrested April 9, 2011, he was charged with alleged state security crimes, and on June 22, was sentenced to life in prison. Mr. al-Khawaja was denied justice on appeal. However, at the end of last year an independent commission of inquiry (BICI) called for civilian retrials for those who had been convicted by military tribunals. A new verdict in Mr. al-Khawaja’s case is expected on Monday, April 23. …more

F1 race ‘is force for good’, says Bahrain Crown Prince
By Andy Sambidge – 20 April, 2012 – arabian business.com

Bahrain’s “forces for good” deliberately shot 14 year old Ali Jawad Ahmad in head from 3 meters with gas canister

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said on Friday that Sunday’s race would go ahead despite growing tensions in the Gulf kingdom.

Addressing media at the Sakhir Circuit, he said cancelling the race would “empower extremists”, adding that he was “here to go racing”.

“I genuinely believe this race is a force for good… We are not trying to say we are perfect. We are a real country with real issues,” the Crown Prince, who was instrumental in bringing Formula One to the country in 2004, said.

“For those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities and get people working together. [The race] allows us to celebrate out nation as an idea that is positive, not one that is divisive,” he added.

He added that he could guarantee that any problems seen over the race weekend “were not directed at Formula One”.

He insisted that he would not regret not cancelling the race, saying: “Why should our openness be used against us? The race is the race and we are here to celebrate that. I’m here to go racing.”

And he downplayed calls from UK politicians for the race to be called off.

Following comments from Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, the Crown Prince said he did not believe their view were representative of the UK political scene.

His comments came after protests had flared in villages surrounding the Bahraini capital on the eve of race weekend.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sunday’s round of the World Championship.

On Thursday, Force India tightened up their security procedures after petrol bombs were thrown near a car taking staff back to their hotel from the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit.

The team said two staff, one a data engineer and the other a radio contractor, had decided to return home to Britain after the incident.

Bahrain has been in turmoil since a democracy movement erupted last year following uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Protests were initially crushed with the loss of dozens of lives, but youths still clash daily with riot police in Shi’ite Muslim districts, and thousands take part in opposition rallies.

Bahrain: Investigation Reveals Indiscriminate Use of Tear Gas
PHR concerned about possible increase in miscarriages due to prolonged tear gas exposure
PHR – Cambridge, Mass. – 19 April, 2012

Upon returning from an investigation in Bahrain, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today criticized the Government’s indiscriminate and systematic use of tear gas against civilian protesters and densely populated Shia neighborhoods. PHR calls for the immediate suspension of the use of this toxic gas because of its suspected severe health impact on the population.

“Despite promises of reform since our investigation to the Kingdom last year, the Government’s excessive use of force has only increased. Security forces now strategically use tear gas –its innocuous-sounding name belies its deadliness – as a potentially lethal weapon against men, women, children, and the elderly alike,” said Richard Sollom, Deputy Director of PHR. “More troubling is the Government’s pattern of attack. Not only do security forces target street protesters, they go out of their way to shoot or throw tear gas into civilian homes. We may be beginning to see serious longer-term health consequences among people routinely exposed to high doses of this toxic gas. Based on our findings, PHR is concerned about possible increased rates of miscarriage and birth defects in Bahrain.”

According to recent reports, the Government of Bahrain has arrested about 60 leading democracy activists in an attempt to contain anti-government protests ahead of this weekend’s Formula One Grand Prix race.

“When all eyes turn to Bahrain this weekend to watch the Formula One race, we cannot forget the protesters who are being constantly attacked by their own government,” said Dr. Holly Atkinson, PHR’s Immediate Past President and co-investigator. “Last week, I saw young children regularly exposed to tear gas and spoke with women who had suffered miscarriages, which might be due to prolonged tear gas exposure. Even worse, many of these vulnerable people are afraid to go to a hospital for care.”

PHR investigators found continued militarization of Bahrain’s healthcare system, including systematic interrogation of suspected protesters arriving at Salmaniya Hospital. In April 2011, PHR released the report Do No Harm, [pdf] which detailed Bahrain’s attacks on physicians, medical staff, and patients.

“By militarizing the country’s medical system, the Government of Bahrain has succeeded in intimidating and subduing a vulnerable population—the sick and wounded. Many patients are afraid to seek care and instead are utilizing private hospitals or an ad hoc community network of care provided by medics and civilians,” said Dr. Atkinson.

Patients and medical staff alike are protected under the principles of medical neutrality, and PHR calls on the Government of Bahrain to respect these principles and cease intimidation of the medical community and those who seek care. …more

The Militarization of the Syrian Uprising
By Samer Araabi – 20 April, 2012 – FPIP

Excerpt from Foreign Policy in Focus Special Project

With the Syrian cease-fire hanging on by a thread, many observers are speculating whether the lull in violence will empower the anti-regime forces in Syria. To be sure, many of the individuals who have taken up arms against Bashar Al-Assad’s ossified and reprehensible government have risked their lives for the noblest of ideals. But such ideals are not necessarily shared by the entire opposition, as the case of Mohamed Alloush demonstrates. Alloush, a pro-democracy activist who participated in the mass uprising that gripped Syria last year, has fled to Lebanon, driven away not only by the violence of the regime, but by pressure from opposition forces.

“In September last year I had been arrested again by the regime for organizing protests,” Mr. Alloush said in an interview with the Christian Science Monitor. “After they released me, I ran into a group of men I knew as members of the Free Syrian Army. I walked up to them and screamed: ‘You guys have stolen our revolution! You are just as bad as the shabiha,’” the pro-regime militia in Syria.

The uprising in Syria has been an inspiring demonstration of the desire for freedom, justice, and human dignity, as well as a heartbreaking reminder that such aspirations are often not achieved. …more

Bahrain Grand Prix should not go ahead, says Ed Miliband
20 April, 2012 – BBC

Labour leader Ed Miliband: “Given the violence we’ve seen… I don’t think the Grand Prix should go ahead”

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said the Grand Prix in Bahrain should not go ahead, amid continuing protests against the government.

He said the race should be stopped due to “human rights abuses” and urged the government to “make its view clear”.

Amnesty International says Bahrain faces a “human rights crisis”.

Prime Minister David Cameron said peaceful protests should be allowed – but reform had begun in Bahrain and it was a matter for Formula 1.

Mr Miliband’s intervention comes after his shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, called on British Formula 1 drivers such as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to boycott Sunday’s race.
‘Weigh in’

The Labour leader told journalists the government could “weigh in and express its view” to put pressure on Formula 1 to stop the race going ahead.

“Given the violence we have seen in Bahrain, given the human rights abuses, I don’t believe the Grand Prix should go ahead and I hope that the government will make its view clear and say the same.”
A woman and boy walk past graffiti urging the boycott of the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix (18 April 2012) Unrest on the island forced the cancellation of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix

But Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s a matter for Formula 1, but let me be clear, we always stand up for human rights and it’s important that peaceful protests are allowed to go ahead.

“But I think we should be clear that Bahrain is not Syria, there is a process of reform underway and this government backs that reform and wants to help promote that reform.”
‘Blood on tracks’

However, Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron echoed calls for the race to be stopped, saying “it endorses and legitimises the regime”.

And Respect MP George Galloway said: “There is blood on the tracks and anyone who drives over them will never be forgiven.”
Bahrain Grand Prix circuit Protesters plan three ‘days of rage’ to disrupt the Bahrain Grand Prix

Protests against the government have been going on for more than a year.

This week Bahraini security forces fired stun grenades at protesters in the capital Manama, 25 miles away from the race circuit.

Last year’s race was cancelled after 35 people were killed during demonstrations.

On Wednesday, members of one team, Force India, were caught up in clashes between protesters and security forces. The four mechanics had to flee when petrol bombs were thrown near their car. …more

Tens of thousands protest military’s rule in Egypt
Aya Batrawy – Agence France Presse – 20 April, 2012

CAIRO: Tens of thousands of protesters packed Cairo’s downtown Tahrir Square on Friday in the biggest demonstration in months against the ruling military, aimed at stepping up pressure on the generals to hand over power to civilians and bar ex-regime members from running in upcoming presidential elections.

Both Islamists and liberals turned out in force for the protest, to show the widespread anger at the military over the country’s political chaos ahead of the first presidential elections since the fall of Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago. The confusion has raised suspicions the generals ruling since Mubarak’s ouster are manipulating the process to preserve their power, ensure the victory of a pro-military candidate and prevent reform.

“Down with military rule,” protesters in Tahrir chanted, and banners draped around the sprawling plaza denounced candidates seen as “feloul,” or “remnants” from Mubarak’s regime.

But the crowds in Tahrir were divided between rival groups with differing complaints and goals. As a result, the participants failed to reach a unified list of demands.

Liberals and youth groups called for all factions to agree on an anti-military “revolution” candidate in the presidential vote, but the powerful Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists – who have their own ambitions in the race – refused to sign on.

The Brotherhood, Egypt’s strongest political movement, has been frustrated that the military has prevented their domination of parliament from translating into real political power. The group was angered when the military-appointed election commission over the past week disqualified its initial candidate for president, along with nine other hopefuls.

In response, the Brotherhood is calling for a “second revolution.”

Liberals and the youth groups who led the revolt against Mubarak, however, are skeptical, accusing the Brotherhood of abandoning the revolution the past year to pursue their own quest to rule. The Brotherhood largely stayed out of anti-military protests since Mubarak’s fall and accepted the generals’ running of the transition, betting that the process would pave their way to political power.

Many in the secular camp demand the Brotherhood “apologize” for its actions the past year and show it is not intent on monopolizing power.

Khaled al-Balshi, editor of the leftist Al-Badeel news site, said he feared that Islamists are once again using the protests as a card to pressure the military council and would go back to striking deals with it again later.

“I am afraid that right now there is something being cooked,” he told Al-Jazeera television.

Another major force in the square were the ultraconservative Salafis, an Islamic movement that is more hard-line than the Brotherhood. Many of them are furious over the disqualification of their favored presidential candidate, Hazem Abu Ismail, who was barred from the race because his mother held American citizenship. Election rules bar a candidate’s close family from having foreign citizenship. Many of his supporters accuse the military and election of commission of forging documents to force out the popular Abu Ismail.
…more

20 April, 2012