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

Will Congress Put Bahrain in the Human Rights Spotlight?
By Sanjeev Bery – 1 August, 2012 – Amnesty

Against a backdrop of ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain, the US Congress is about to hold a high-level public hearing today on events in the country. Organized by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, the hearing will focus attention on whether or not Bahrain’s government has actually followed through on the promises it made to end human rights abuses and hold violators accountable.

The hearing comes at a key time. In April of this year, Amnesty International issued an important report demonstrating the Bahraini authorities’ failure to implement human rights reforms. Indeed, Bahraini courts have continued to sentence activists to prison simply for criticizing the government.

These prisoners of conscience include Nabeel Rajab, who faces 3 months in jail for tweets that the government didn’t like. Doctors and medical workers have also been sentenced to prison following comments they made to the international media. And then there is Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a political activist who is now imprisoned on a life sentence.

Today’s hearing on Bahrain will bring together key voices:

– Former Bahraini Member of Parliament Matar Ebrahim Matar, who was arrested by the Bahrain government for his criticism of the Bahraini monarchy.

– US Senator Ron Wyden, a critic of Bahrain government practices who joined Rep. Jim McGovern in introducing legislation to stop US weapons sales to Bahrain.

– US Assistant Secretary of State Michael H. Posner, who has advocated for human rights in Bahrain, though within the limits of the Obama Administration’s diplomatic and military relationship with Bahrain’s government.

– Representatives from key human rights groups in Washington DC.

It’s a critical time to act. The government of Bahrain has continued to crack down on those who peacefully engage in protest and criticism. While not every protester has been peaceful, many who are committed to the nonviolent expression of their political demands have faced significant penalties for doing so. It is time to put the focus back on human rights. This hearing is a helpful step in the right direction. …source

The implications of British support for the Bahraini ruling family go further than merely exposing as hollow official statements of foreign policy objectives in the Middle East in light of the Arab revolts. Certainly, it undermines and contradicts British officials’ declaratory support for civil and human rights against state authoritarianism. But it also risks placing Britain definitively on the wrong side of history. Backing autocratic states may hitherto have been a necessary evil in the messy world of inter-state relations, but in an era of freer access to and exchange of information, there are no hiding places anymore, and the gap between democratic rhetoric and authoritarian practice in British foreign policy will become progressively harder to reconcile.

Britain and Bahrain: mutual interests and the politics of protection
by Kristian Coates Ulrichsen – 01 August, 2012 – The New Left

For over a year protesters in Bahrain have demonstrated for democratic reforms, in the face of often brutal repression by the regime. British arms transfers to Bahrain continued throughout that period. This should not surprise. For nearly two centuries, Britain has been the guarantor of Bahrain’s ruling Al-Khalifa dynasty, and for much of the past century its security backbone. Time and again, British support has enabled the Al-Khalifa regime to withstand local agitation for greater political freedoms and human rights. Britain’s protectorate relations with Bahrain may have formally ended on 15 August 1971, but they live on through informal channels and personal relationships in the royal, military, and commercial spheres. These have facilitated the upholding of authoritarian misrule, and they expose the hypocrisy at the heart of British policy in the wake of the Arab Spring.

A treaty in 1820 between Britain and local notables in the Persian Gulf first elevated the Al-Khalifa family to the title of ‘Rulers of Bahrain.’ Since then, the links between the dynasty and the British have flourished and proliferated, with a protectorate declared in 1861. This lasted until 1971, during which period power over Bahraini foreign policy was transferred to the British, who also intervened regularly in Bahrain’s domestic affairs. This included deposing three rulers deemed unsuitable, in 1868, 1869, and 1923. Monarchical ties have continued to be close in the post-1971 era; the present King, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, is a Sandhurst graduate and the patron of the charitable Sandhurst Foundation.

Connections between Bahrain and the United Kingdom have also rested on a succession of powerful British ‘advisors’ to the Al-Khalifa family. Charles Belgrave was appointed personal adviser to the ruler in 1926 and remained ‘Chief Administrator’, and effectively the most powerful man in the emirate, until 1957. He was only forced out after popular anti-British fervour following the Suez crisis united Sunnis and Shiites in a cross-sectarian social movement for political and economic reform. His advisory services were resurrected less than a decade later when Ian Henderson arrived as head of state security. Prior to his arrival in Bahrain, Henderson served as a Colonial Police Officer in Kenya, and had been accused of using torture in putting down the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s. He later faced similar allegations of torturing opposition activists and political detainees during the Bahraini uprising in the 1990s. International pressure led to his removal in 1998 but he continues to reside in Bahrain as a guest of the ruling family.

It is in this context that continuing British support for the Al-Khalifa regime must be seen. Mass demonstrations in support of political reform erupted on 14 February 2011 and, at their height, saw up to one-third of the population on the streets demanding their rights. This was the highest per capita involvement in any of the protests during the Arab Spring, and the scale of the mobilisation shook the ruling family and its fellow Gulf monarchs to the core. Forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered Bahrain on 14 March to restore order while the government mercilessly pursued and crushed its opponents during a brutal three-month period of emergency rule that lasted until 1 June.

Although the Bahraini authorities convened a National Dialogue and commissioned what turned out to be a hard-hitting investigation into the events of the spring, their promises of reform have yet to result in any meaningful change to the structure or balance of power. The arbitrary arrest and detention of activists continues, and daily skirmishes occur between protestors and police units notorious for their use of an extremely toxic form of tear gas that has contributed to more than twenty deaths from inhalation. In late-June, the security services appeared to deliberately shoot at the leader of the largest political opposition society, while many other opposition politicians remain imprisoned. In April, the staging of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix was intended to mark the country’s return to the international fold but was instead marred by the death of a protestor, the refusal to grant visas to journalists from most international news organisations, and running battles with the police.

Yet, amid the ongoing unrest in Bahrain and intensifying criticism of the regime by international NGOs and the United Nations, British interests in the country have multiplied over the past year. In December, the appointment of former Metropolitan Police commissioner John Yates as adviser on police reform rekindled unhappy memories of Belgrave and Henderson. Although his contract was originally meant to last only until April 2012, he remains in place, and he accompanied the Minister of Interior on a visit to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in June. Yates has also emerged as a stout defender of the regime in the UK media through interviews and articles in which he dismisses the unrest as ‘vandalism’ devoid of political significance.

Bahrain’s troubled year has also presented opportunities to expand British commercial and trading interests. A recent House of Commons report on arms export control revealed that 97 export licenses currently exist for sales to Bahrain, ranging from small arms and sniper rifles to silencers and gun sighting equipment. In addition, a British company has provided the intelligence-gathering software to monitor social media and spy on activists, while a phalanx of consultants and PR companies have been appointed to present a polished image of the regime to the world. The British government’s policy has continued to prioritise a ‘business as usual’ approach to secure lucrative contracts, especially in the security sector, while keeping judiciously quiet about the continuing human rights abuses.

At a time of economic austerity and relentless cost-cutting at home, such a mercantilist approach may make commercial and even strategic sense; moreover, as tensions with Iran escalate, so does the strategic value of Bahrain to the British and American posture in the Gulf. Moreover, companies and governments wishing to maintain close relationships with neighbouring Saudi Arabia are unlikely to want to jeopardise these far more valuable ties by making a stand over Bahrain, given the degree of Saudi political and economic influence over the country. Hence, despite the potential for leverage accorded to US and British policy-makers by virtue of their security partnership and historic ties, little evidence exists that officials are willing to exercise it. Instead, Bahrain has become a symbol of the double-standards of Western policy toward the Arab uprisings, where the withdrawal of support for dictatorial regimes in Libya and Syria stands in contrast to the enabling of autocratic rulers in the Persian Gulf. …more

5 tonnes of bomb materials seized
01 August, 2012 -Gulf News

SECURITY authorities have examined 1,000 pieces of evidence seized from an alleged bomb-making factory in Salmabad.

Three more suspects wanted for questioning have also been identified, said Public Security Chief Major-General Tariq Al Hassan.

They were named as Hussain Al A’ali (arrested), Ahmed Jaffar (at large) and Mohammed Yousif Mohammed Al Mughni (arrested).

Forensic experts from London’s Metropolitan Police were earlier flown in to assist an investigation after the seizure of explosive materials during a series of raids last month.

“There is no timeframe for this investigation because this terrorist plan aimed to cause a massacre in Bahrain and all aspects related to it are being studied with the help of UK investigators,” said Maj-Gen Al Hassan.

“Five tonnes of materials used in making bombs and 110 litres of chemicals that were seized in the operation last month are being studied at the forensic laboratory.

“The materials represent a serious threat to lives as they were stored in a residential area near a Ma’atam.”

Maj-Gen Al Hassan said as part of the investigation police inspected 14 locations and raided several after completing legal procedures.

He said some of these searches were conducted late at night or early in the morning. Some residents were upset and in some cases made allegations of improper police procedure. Opposition groups have also alleged serious police misconduct, including thefts of large sums of money.

The minister takes these allegations seriously and while having full confidence that investigators conducted themselves properly, understands that an individual officer might have acted in an inappropriate way, he said.

“Families of the suspects were informed about the case and they showed no co-operation with security forces,” he said.

“We have examined the confessions of the accused arrested in the case.”

Three suspects had earlier been identified as Radhi Ali Radhi Abdulrasool, Jaffar Hussain Mohammed Yousif Eid and Dhafir Saleh Ali Saleh, two of them still on the run.

Maj-Gen Al Hassan said the suspects appeared to be part of a sophisticated operation.

“They were trained as they are using mobiles, fire extinguishers and other homemade explosives to cause harm,” he said.

“But whether a foreign element is involved or who is behind it is still being investigated and any further details if revealed could hinder the investigation process.”

Maj-Gen Al Hassan said police were still discovering bomb-making factories.

“At the moment, except the Salmabad illegal factory there is no other high-end bomb-making location,” he said.

“But we are constantly discovering low-end factories where pipe bombs, fire extinguishers and other materials are hidden aiming to cause harm. “There are many places and we are now tracking them down.” …more

Bahrain Condemned for “Unprecedented” Tear Gas Use
01 August, 2012 – POMED

The group Physicians for Human Rights slammed the Bahraini government for excessive tear gas use in its latest report released this week. According to their investigation, the group uncovered “an alarming increase in miscarriages, respiratory ailments and other maladies” from “abnormally prolonged” tear gas exposure, as well as serious wounds to the skull and limbs from tear gas canisters shot at close range. Bystanders in addition to protesters have suffered these health effects, notably when gas canisters have been fired into cars or homes, resulting in at least two deaths from inhalation in an enclosed space.

Meanwhile, Justin Elliott investigates ties between Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) and Bahrain lobbyists. The congressman visited the Gulf kingdom in April at a cost of $20,966, paid for by the non-profit group the Bahrain American Council. Since the council does not officially employ lobbyists, the trip abides by congressional rules. However, the Bahrain American Council was created by and shares an office with lobbying firm Policy Impact which advocates on behalf of the Bahrain government.

Additionally, Cole Bockenfeld argues that the Bahraini government’s effective ban on protests is pushing would-be moderates to extremes, giving authorities the excuse that they want to crack down on the protest movement. Bockenfeld also calls on the U.S. to end its silence on this development by explicitly conveying that limits on the right to peacefully assemble “represent a red line in the bilateral relationship.”

However, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the U.S. Houda Ezra Nonoo counters critics ahead of a hearing Thursday on the implementation of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry recommendations. Nonoo writes that the kingdom has made “tangible, measurable, and verifiable progress in enacting reform” which have been undertaken in 18 of the commission’s 26 recommendations, with progress underway on another 7. The ambassador also acknowledges mistakes made, particularly those that led to protester deaths, but argues that the truth has been distorted in critics’ accusations.

Also, the Bahrain Chief of Public Security, Major General Tariq al-Hassan, called for a full investigation into allegations of police misconduct and theft during recent home searches. The chief said all recent raids, even those conducted late at night, have complied with the law, but that the Ministry of the Interior will launch an investigation into claims by opposition groups of abuses and the theft of large amounts of money. …source

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission – USA
01 August, 2012 – HumanRights.gov

Assistant Secretary Posner on the “Implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Report”
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Michael H. Posner
Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights – U.S. Congress

2012-08-01

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing and for your sustained concern about Bahrain and the current challenges there. I appreciate the opportunity to appear here today to outline the administration’s views with respect to Bahrain.

Context: Bahrain is an important strategic partner at a crossroads

We all recognize Bahrain’s importance as a longtime partner of the United States in the Gulf region. For more than 60 years, the United States military has worked closely with its Bahraini counterparts. The Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, and the country serves as a pillar of our regional security strategy in the Gulf region. The U.S. – Bahrain relationship is particularly important in the face of rising threats from Iran.

Our longstanding alliance with Bahrain is based on shared political, economic, and security interests. And it is in part because of this important strategic relationship that we have devoted so much attention to Bahrain in the last 18 months. The demonstrations and violent confrontations that shook Bahrain last February and March were traumatic to all segments of Bahraini society. And although the violence has diminished significantly in recent months, Bahrain is still a deeply divided nation struggling to regain its equilibrium.

As partners and friends who care deeply about Bahrain’s future, we must be straightforward in our assessments. This is not a time for complacency or wishful thinking. It is a time for the United States and others to work with the government and the political opposition and to urge a new approach to dialogue, about which I will say more in a moment.

It is in this challenging political context that I have traveled to Bahrain five times in the last 18 months, most recently in June, each time meeting with senior government officials, lawyers, journalists, medical professionals, civil society groups, human rights advocates, and several political societies. This visit, my meetings focused on 1) the current situation for human rights in Bahrain following the unrest in February and March of last year, 2) the need for inclusive dialogue and negotiation, and 3) implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report.

The current situation for human rights in Bahrain

In a number of ways, Bahrain today is more stable than it was a year ago. Last year, the government showed courage in inviting Cherif Bassiouni to initiate the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). The BICI process was unprecedented both in its scope and the unfettered access the BICI team were granted. King Hamad deserves great credit for initiating this commission and for allowing an independent body to take a critical look at Bahrain’s human rights record and to report so extensively on its findings. We also commend the King for accepting and committing to implement the recommendations of the BICI report. And after a worrying period of rising violence in the streets by both demonstrators and police, violence has subsided this summer.

Despite these positive accomplishments, my recent visit revealed deep divisions within Bahraini society and between many Bahrainis and their government. Almost nightly confrontations, including a number that end in violence between young protestors and the police, and the recent discovery of sophisticated bomb-making materials in Salmabad and Hamad Town punctuate the need for urgent action to heal the divisions in society and bring peace and prosperity to all of its people.

We are concerned that more than a year after the release of the BICI report, we see reports of continuing reprisals against Bahraini citizens who attempt to exercise their universal rights to free expression and assembly. For example, on March 31, 2012, Ahmed Ismail Hassan, a 22-year-old videographer, was shot and killed while filming a pro-reform demonstration. This is one incident in a pattern of reports of activists and demonstrators being injured and mistreated in interactions with the police.

Moreover, permits for organized demonstrations are often denied. Over the past month, Bahrain has stopped granting permits for organized demonstrations in central Manama, and has announced a study to identify suitable locations for protests away from the downtown area. While the study may be a useful opportunity to initiate constructive dialogue, including with the opposition, it must not be used as a mechanism to restrict the universal right to peaceful protest. At the same time, we urge Wifaq and others who organize demonstrations to do their utmost to ensure that those gatherings remain peaceful.

Urgent need for dialogue

Since February and March 2011 there have been numerous calls – including by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and members of the international community – for broad political dialogue that will lead to a way forward on political reform.

While dialogue and negotiation can only occur among Bahrainis themselves, as a friend and partner of Bahrain, the United States has encouraged dialogue in a variety of different forms over the last 18 months. But despite numerous attempts, attempts at dialogue have broken down. There is little evidence that Bahrain is moving toward a negotiated political agreement on issues such as the powers of parliament and electoral districting. …more

Saudi Arabia Releases Blogger after Year in Solitary Confinement
30 July, 2012 – POMED

Saudi Arabian authorities released a prominant blogger Saturday after spending more than a year in jail without charges. 35 year-old Nazir al-Majid was arrested last March joining anti-government protests in the mostly Shiite eastern province of Qatif. Rights activists last year launched an online campaign for al-Majid’s release after he went on a hunger strike to protest being kept in a solitary confinement.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned the excessive force with which Saudi authorities have suppressed peaceful demonstrations in Qatif. Security forces fired on protesters Friday during a demonstration calling for the release of detainees. The ANHRI called on all those concerned with human rights in the middle east and the world to press the Saudi regime for the release of political detainees and to respect the freedom of opinion and expression.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Kuwait, royal family member Sheikh Meshaal al-Malek al-Sabah was arrested by state security police for posting political statements on Twitter opposed to the policies of the ruling family. Al-Sabah has stated his intention to run for parliament and expose political corruption among members if successful. Alarabiya reported the rights group, the Gulf Forum for Civil Societies, criticized the Sheiks arrest, saying he was arrested because of his courageous views that opposed the policies of the Kuwaiti ruling family.

Additonally, Simeon Kerr of the Financial Times wrote that Oman’s historic distance from the other Gulf states has enabled the state to avoid falling into the sectarian politics that has become common in the rest of the region. However, Kerr notes that in the face of growing unrest in Oman, Sultan Qaboos treads a delicate path. The sultan, he notes, “has pushed himself to the forefront of decision-making,” adding, “The sultan can no longer hide behind the transgressions of corrupt ministers: if the reforms fail, so does his legacy. …more

Israel’s Barak praises Obama security cooperation
31 July, 2012 – Al ALkhbar

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised US security cooperation under President Barack Obama as the best of any US administration in recent memory.

In an interview with CNN aired here Monday, Barak said Israel and the United States had their differences but the security relationship between the two countries is “extremely good, extremely deep and profound.”

While US support for Israel has been strong on both sides of the aisle, he said, “this administration, under President Obama, is doing in regard to our security more than anything I can remember in the past.”

“In terms of the support for our security, the cooperation of our intelligence, the sharing of sorts in a very open way. Even when there are differences,” he said.

Barak’s comments came after a high profile visit to Israel by Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney who seeks to portray Obama as soft on Iran.

They also contrast with the tension on display in the past between Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel plays a major factor in US presidential elections, as both Democrats and Republicans compete for the powerful endorsement of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington.

Despite Jewish Americans only making up 2 percent of the population, the power of the pro-Israel lobby ensures continued, unwavering US support for Israel, even at the expense of US interests.

The US still provides $3 billion in annual aid to Israel – the largest recipient of US aid – despite an ailing economy and Israel’s appalling human rights record. …source

Syria daily says Iran ally has warned Turkey
30 July, 2012 – Agence France Presse

DAMASCUS: Syrian ally Iran has warned their common neighbour Turkey that it will meet a harsh response should Ankara carry out any strikes inside Syrian territory, a pro-Damascus daily reported on Monday.

“Any attack on Syrian territory will meet with a harsh response, and the Iranian-Syrian mutual defence agreement will be activated,” the Al-Watan newspaper said.

“Turkey has received very strong warnings in the past few hours and the following message — beware changing the rules of the game,” the paper added.

Iran is the closest regional ally of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but has also striven to keep good relations with Turkey even as the standoff over its controversial nuclear programme has deepened with other NATO member states.

Tehran has enjoyed close ties with Damascus since 1980 when the Syrian government took its side in its devastating eight-year war with now executed dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime in Baghdad, and has signed a series of defence pacts, including in 2006 and 2008.

But Ankara has been a leading champion of the more than 16-month uprising against the Assad regime and has given refuge to large numbers of army defectors, who have formed the kernel of a rebel army, as well as tens of thousands of civilian refugees.

Al-Watan cited an “Arab diplomat” as accusing Turkey of seeking to use its fears about the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which already enjoys rear-bases in the far north of Iraq, as a pretext to intervene in Syria.

“Ankara is preparing an agreement with Washington to intervene militarily in the Syrian (crisis), using the Kurdish card as an excuse,” the paper said.

“Turkey has agreed with the United States on a military intervention limited to the north of Syria, specifically the northern province of Aleppo, to pave the way for the creation of a safe haven guarded by the armed gangs.”

Turkish newspapers have reported that some Kurdish-majority regions of northern Syria have been flying the flag of Syria’s PKK ally, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), in what they have said is a deal with the Assad family’s government, which was a longtime backer of the Kurdish rebel group’s insurgency in Turkey.

…more

Bahraini cleric’s grandson, Sheikh Issa Qasim injured, arrested
Shia Post – 31 July, 2012

The grandson of senior Bahraini cleric Sheikh Issa Qasim has been arrested by security forces after he was reportedly injured.

Bahraini regime forces wounded Ali Sami Issa Qasim in Diraz village on the northwest coast of the kingdom on Monday, Bahraini opposition sources said.

Twenty-one-year-old Sami was transferred to an unknown place with an ambulance, witnesses said.

Sheikh Qasim is an outspoken cleric, who has repeatedly criticized the Manama regime for the brutal crackdown against protesters in Bahrain.

Sheikh Qasim believes that the regime cannot stop the protests by increasing the attacks, arresting people, and killing them.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

The anti-regime demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the deaths of the protesters during the popular uprising.

Saudi spy chief Prince Bandar assassinated, report says
Shia Post – 31 July 31, 2012

Saudi Arabian spy chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been assassinated, a report says.

The Paris-based Voltaire Network confirmed the death of 63-year-old Prince Bandar on its website on Monday, citing unofficial sources.

The international non-profit organization, which publishes a free website (voltairenet.org) in eight languages, said that Prince Bandar was killed because of his role in the July 18 deadly bombing in Damascus.

The bombing killed at least four high-profile Syrian security officials, including Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha and his deputy Assef Shawkat who was also President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law.

However, there has been no confirmation or denial neither from Saudi officials nor from the Syrian government yet.

Bandar, who was Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, was named the kingdom’s Secretary General of the National Security Council in 2005. On 19 July 2012, he was appointed Director General of the Saudi Intelligence Agency by King Abdullah.

Many said his promotion was a reward for the role he played in organizing the attack in Damascus, the organization reported. …source

Ecuador asks Sweden to question Assange in London
31 July, 2012 – Al Akhbar

Ecuador has asked Sweden to take WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s testimony regarding accusations of rape and sexual harassment, in London, the South American nation’s top diplomat announced Monday.

“Our ambassador in Sweden has begun steps to ask the Swedish government to collect the statement of Mr. Assange where he is located, at the Ecuadoran embassy in London,” said Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.

Assange, 41, is seeking asylum in Ecuador to avoid his extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault.

The WikiLeaks founder fears that from Sweden, he could subsequently be re-extradited to the United States to stand trial for espionage, on account of the trove of leaked US diplomatic cables and military logs that were published on his website.

“This is the request we have made in an effort to protect Mr. Assange’s life at all costs,” Patino added, joined at a press conference by Assange’s mother, Christine.

Christine Assange met with Patino Monday.

“I am sure the president and his aides will make the best decision in this case,” she told government website El Ciudadano.

Ecuador will respond to Assange’s request on August 12, Patino said, after the 2012 London Olympics.

“We will take decisions that do not affect our relations with Britain,” Patino said, explaining that Quito would be careful not to do anything that could interfere in any way with the Olympic Games. …source

Foreign companies complicit in Bahrain’s human rights violations
By: Carly Nyst – 30 July, 2012 – Privacy International

Last week’s revelation that Bahraini human rights activists have been targeted by advanced surveillance technology made by British company Gamma is yet another nail in the coffin of privacy and freedom of expression in Bahrain.

Over the past ten years, Bahraini citizens, among the most internet-connected in the Middle East, have been subjected to increasingly oppressive controls on and intrusions into their online and offline lives. The internet is heavily patrolled, and free speech curtailed, by laws which prohibit the publication of material that is offensive to Islam or the king, or that are perceived as undermining state security or the monarchy. Content that is politically sensitive is censored, websites run by national and international non-governmental organisations are blocked, and bloggers, activists and movements are silenced. Moreover, a culture of self-censorship is pervading Bahrain as the government’s capacity for surveillance expands.

According to Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, authorities have been conducting communications surveillance since at least the mid-2000s. Documents leaked by Salah Al-Bandar, a British citizen of Sudanese origin consulting for the Bahraini government, confirm that government officials were maintaining unlawful surveillance programmes to monitor opposition political parties and civil society organisations by 2006.

Since 2009, surveillance has become institutionalized, as all telecommunications providers have been required by law to gather and retain extensive information about users, and make that information available to security organs as requested. The Lawful Access Regulation 2009 was adopted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority – an ostensibly “independent” body responsible that is in fact headed by a Board of royal appointees – and mandated the collection and retention for one year of all communications data generated by users, including locations, numbers, dates, times, authentication usernames, IP addresses, and website addresses visited. Any government organ that is concerned with any national or international security matter is then entitled to demand access to that information as they see fit. The Regulation also requires telecommunication providers to adopt content surveillance capabilities into their systems and programmes, to enable security organs to intercept and monitor phone calls, text messages and internet usage.

While it is difficult to assess the spread of such surveillance practices, numerous stories and experiences confirm their use. Stories like that of Abdul Ghani Al Khanjar, a school administrator and activist who was detained for six months in August 2010 after speaking about human rights to a committee at the British House of Lords. Throughout his interrogation he was shown transcripts of text messages and phone calls dating back to 2009.

Driving and supporting the expansion of Bahraini surveillance capabilities is the global technology industry, which has shown no qualms at participating in the Bahraini government’s steady assault on privacy and expression rights. Many of the surveillance and censorship activities conducted by the Bahraini government take place at monitoring and surveillance centres supplied and run by foreign companies, such as Nokia Siemens. Much of the surveillance technology used in Bahrain is made by foreign companies like Gamma International, and US firms such as McAfee Inc. (acquired in 2011 by Intel Corp) and Blue Coat Systems have sold content-filtering software and hardware respectively to internet service providers in Bahrain. Privacy International has published a briefing on surveillance in Bahrain which sets these arrangements out in more detail. …more

Israel’s Plan for Syria – The Somalia Model
By ISRAEL SHAMIR; July 30, 2012 – Counterpunch – by blackandred 30 July, 2012

Moscow – Israel retains its ability to control the Syrian ‘Islamist’ rebels. Netanyahu is not worried about Syria’s possible disintegration. Despite the received wisdom claiming that Israelis prefer a stable and familiar Assad to the great unknown of Islamic guerrillas, the new and sensational information we received points out to the opposite, namely: Israelis prefer the Somalisation of Syria, its break-up and the elimination of its army, as this will allow them to tackle Iran unopposed.

This is implied in a secret file recently leaked by a person(s) apparently close to the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman. It contains a record of conversations between Bibi Netanyahu, Avigdor Lieberman and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter’s recent visit to Israel. Israelis seem to have no doubts about its authenticity. Counterpunch received the original file, and here are the highlights of this conversation (in our translation from Hebrew):

•Netanyahu asked Putin to facilitate Bashar Assad’s departure. “You can appoint his successor, and we shall not object, said the Israeli Prime Minister. “There is one condition – the successor must break with Iran.

•Putin responded: we have no candidate for Bashar’s successor. Do you?

•No, we don’t, replied Netanyahu, but we shall tell you our preference soon.

Apparently, Israel can influence the rebels, inasmuch as it can bear on them to accept a successor acceptable to Tel Aviv. This means that the rebels’ chain of command goes beyond unruly field commanders, beyond Qatar and Saudi Arabia, beyond Paris and Washington, all the way to Israel. It is well known that the rebels seek friendship [see video directly below] with Israel, but nobody thought that Israel was able to control them to such an extent. …more

INTERNATIONAL CALL TO ACTION:

“Worldwide Echo in Support of the Zapatistas: Freedom and Justice for San Marcos Avilés and Sántiz López”

July 27, 2012

To our sisters and brothers, the family members and allies of San Marcos Avilés: To our sisters and brothers, the family members and allies of Francisco Sántiz López: To our Zapatista sisters and brothers: To our compañer@s of The Other Campaign: To our compañer@s of the Zezta Internazional: To our compañer@s, adherents of the International Campaign in Defense of El Barrio and all our allies from around the world: To the Civil Society in Mexico and in the world: The following is an urgent call to action from Movement for Justice in El Barrio, The Other Campaign New York, to carry out the:

“Worldwide Echo in Support of the Zapatistas:
Justice and Freedom for San Marcos Avilés and Sántiz López”

SISTERS AND BROTHERS: From the brown heart of El Barrio, New York, receive affectionate greetings and an urgent proposal of struggle on behalf of Movement for Justice in El Barrio, The Other Campaign New York. The following is a new and urgent convocation to carry out the: “Worldwide Echo in Support of the Zapatistas:

Freedom and Justice for San Marcos Avilés and Sántiz López”

First Phase: Walking the True Word – August 2012

To all those who fight for justice, dignity, freedom, and democracy, and against oppression, violence, hatred, scorn, poverty, and terror that are the world of those from above…

To those who work to build another world, another communication, another politics, another knowledge, another culture, another history, another future… To those who search for and create our path by looking from below and to the left… who learn about life by listening to the wise words of the ancestors… To those who dream of freedom in all its resplendent colors…

To those who reject the injustices that, in every country, are imposed and called “economy” and “government”… To those who find inspiration, hope, resonance and reflection in the Zapatistas…

Today, with urgency, we are called upon to mobilize, with our whole being, solidarity and support for our Zapatista sisters and brothers of the community in resistance of San Marcos Avilés and for the Zapatista political prisoner Francisco Sántiz López: Responding to the numerous denouncements and calls issued by the Good Government Council of Oventic and the community of San Marcos Avilés, we stand in solidarity with them and add our echo to their dignified “ENOUGH!” against the recent attacks that the Zapatista support base members, the essence of the Zapatista Movement, are facing.

Particularly, this convocation seeks to anticipate and prevent further violence against San Marcos Avilés at the hands of local political party members who have, during the past few days, made renewed threats. These individuals are the “strong arm” of the region’s dominant political parties. They have of late revealed their plan to displace our sisters and brothers of the Zapatista support base. According to recent threats, these enemies of the people intend to kidnap Zapatista community authorities and, in turn, violently displacing other Zapatistas from their community. They have stated, additionally, that they will incarcerate anyone who continues to denounce these unjust aggressions.

We stress here that these attacks are not isolated incidents, but rather are integral components of the prolonged war of extermination that the bad government of Mexico, together with capitalist interests, has carried out for the past 18 years to wipe out the Zapatista movement and all it has given to the world.

The objectives of this war have been and remain to continue the colonial project and destroy at any cost indigenous autonomy and resistance, and take over their ancestral lands, and in this way, exploit for the exclusive benefit of those from above the natural resources with which our Mother Earth provides us. Repression, violence, and death are meted out by the bad government of Mexico to those who resist this, who defend their lands, their identities, their cultures, and autonomy – their very existence.

The Zapatista ejido and community of San Marcos Avilés, which is made up of Tzeltal indigenous people, has endured an unending nightmare of terror since 2010, when the community’s autonomous school, “Emiliano Zapata,” was constructed as part of the Zapatista Rebel Education System—constituting a major step forward in the community’s advance towards autonomy. During the past two years, this community has suffered various forms of extreme violence, including death threats, harassment, plunder, sexual aggression (including attempted rapes), forced displacement, and others, at the hands of members of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and the Green Ecological Party (PVEM) of Mexico, and their armed attack groups.

Similarly, our compañero Francisco Sántiz López, also an indigenous Tzeltal-speaker and Zapatista from Chiapas, has remained unjustly imprisoned since December 4, 2011, for false crimes that he never committed. His only “crime” is that of being a member of the Zapatista support base. Today he remains a hostage of the bad government of Mexico in its war against all Zapatistas. It is clear that the violence exercised against both San Marcos Avilés and Francisco Sántiz López stems from that same source.

Recently, community members of San Marcos Avilés have reported that the threats against them have spiked at an alarming rate during the past few days. In light of these acts of violence and aggression, we would like to propose the following plan of solidarity and struggle, as part of the “Worldwide Echo in Support of the Zapatistas: Freedom and Justice for San Marcos Avilés and Sántiz López.” This campaign is distinguished for its “two-pronged” strategy, and will consist of two interrelated phases. …more

Syria: Shameful Performance of Western Media
By As’ad AbuKhalil – 30 July, 2012 – Angry Corner – Al Akhbar

The performance of the Western media (American, British, French and others) regarding the Syrian conflict has been quite shameful. One does not expect much from American media. Ill-informed foreign editors and correspondents and political cowardice turn American media into tools of US foreign policy.

This is especially true when it comes to coverage of the Middle East, where extra political courage and uncharacteristic level of knowledge and expertise are rather rare even though they are essential in challenging US foreign policy. But when it comes to Syria British media – including the liberal Guardian which has often been brave in challenging Western foreign policies and wars – have been indistinguishable from American media.

These media have failed their readers on many levels. Their shortcomings can be summarized as follows:

1. Resorting to methods of documentations that are never accepted when covering the Arab-Israeli conflict; like the reliance on accounts of people through skype and emails whose names are not obtained through a random process and the reliance on Saudi or Qatari press media offices. …more

Hunger strike has enduring power
by Stefan Simanowitz – 30 July, 2012 – Tribune Magazine UK

While the hunger strike may have made its greatest political gains in the 20th century helping to expose injustice, overturn prejudice and even overthrow empires, the recent release of a Palestinian footballer, Mahmoud Sarsak, after a 95-day hunger strike, demonstrates that this ancient form of protest has lost none of its power. Indeed, in the digital age, the hunger strike is finding new influence.

Sarsak’s release followed the release of another Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan, in April, and concessions made by Israel to more than 1,500 Palestinian prison hunger strikers. In May, Bahraini activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja ended his 110-day hunger strike, having drawn the world’s attention to Bahrain’s anti-government movement. Jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko’s 20-day hunger strike caused an international stir ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships. In Iran, several imprisoned journalists and activists are currently on hunger strike. Last year, veteran activist Hoda Saber died of a heart attack after just 10 days fasting. In Russia the announcement that the three members of the jailed activist punk band Pussy Riot are on hunger strike made headlines around the world.

The internet age provides huge opportunities for the scope and impact of the hunger strike in terms of raising awareness and support. However, with thousands of hunger strikes being staged each month – from Belarus to Tibet, and Western Sahara to Guantanamo Bay – there is also a danger that information about some of them will be lost in cyberspace.

Anyone who has seen Hunger, Alexander McQueen’s 2008 film about the Maze prison hunger strike, will have an idea just how horrific it is to die from starvation. The body literally consumes itself – “mining” its muscles and vital organs for energy. Toxic ketone bodies are produced and death comes by dehydration, atrophication and the failure of the kidneys, liver and other organs.

Unlike self-immolation, a hunger strike can last for weeks or months, slowing reconfiguring the dynamic between the “powerless” and the ‘powerful’. By making public the very private act of dying, the hunger striker demands attention.

While many people think of the hunger strike as a phenomenon of the previous century, employed most famously in the struggles for women’s suffrage and the Irish and Indian independence movement, the practice is rooted far further back in history. Hunger strikes were practiced in medieval Ireland, ancient India and by the Romans. …more

Gangs of Darkness campaign to expose house raids
shiapost – 30 July, 2012

A new campaign, “Gangs of Darkness”, has been launched in Bahrain to highlight the daily house raids of regime forces against the people of Bahrain. Such attacks take place very late at night or early in the morning and include kidnappings, theft, confiscation and vandalism.

The opposition parties in Bahrain announced the launch of Gangs of Darkness in an attempt to reveal the inhumane and illegal acts by regime forces against the people, the breaking into homes, and theft of precious items without any legal consequences.

The opening of the campaign revealed that masked men, in the uniform of regime forces, are conducting these terrifying acts. The perpetrators come from different security and military units of the regime including national security, National Guard, army and Special Forces.

These attacks began 16 months ago as part of the early attacks on demonstrators in Lulu Roundabout and have continued since then. Despite various international condemnations and reports the violations have continued to take place. The BICI report mentioned how regime forces raided homes without allowing women the time to cover as well as pointing out the systematic attacks on the people and theft of household belongings in raids.

The estimation of the number of raids to have taken place since 14th February 2011 is well into the hundreds and there is not a day to go by without regime forces raiding people’s homes, attacking, detaining and citizens, showing no respect for people or the idea of safety in the home. …source

Bahrain : Public Prosecution Jail Two Children for 45 Days
30 July, 2012 – BCHR

Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern regarding the continuous arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force against civilians specially against children.

Ahmed Hilal, a 15 year old boy, according to his lawyer “Mohammed Al-Oraibi”, he was arrested from the village of Mussala during a disperse of a peaceful protest in Friday, 13th July 2012. Ahmed was walking home and saw a number of protestors being chased by riot police, unknowing the reason, he kept walking to be then arrested by the riot police. Ahmed have stated during the investigation at the Public Prosecution that he was beaten by the police while being arrested. Lawyer Al-Oraibi stated that in spite the lack of evidence against Ahmed, the public prosecution have order to jail him for 45 days for further investigation and he is being charged for “illegal gathering”.

Ali Al-Aradi, a 16 years old child, according to lawyer Al-Oraibi, he was arrested during a disperse of a peaceful protest called by the Political Societies in Friday, 13th July 2012. Ali have left his grandfather’s house heading to a car cleaning shop while police were chasing protesters. A police car was driving at him and he tried to avoid it and fell and then he got arrested. During the investigation at the Public Prosecution Ali have stated that he was beaten by the police during the arrest. Public prosecution charged him with “illegal gathering” and ordered to jail him for 45 days for further investigation. Both of the children Ahmed and Ali are put in adult jail facilities.[1]

It is not the first time the Bahraini government target children and arbitrary arrest them. on May 2012, child Ali Hassan, 11years old, was arrested and was put on trial.

Although the Bahraini government is a signatory of the convention on the rights of the chid, children are constantly being subjected to the police violence in their own neighbourhood’s by riot police.

On May 2012, the BCHR has reported another 2 cases of detention and ill-treatment of children below the age of 15 at police custody. Records show that the arrest and detention of children under the age of 18 for allegation of involvement in protest is a routine in Bahrain. At least three minors have received very harsh sentences of up to 15 years in prison by military court in 2011.

The BCHR demands the immediate release of 15-year-old Ahmed Hilal, 16-year-old Ali Al-Aradi and all other detained children who were arrested during the on-going protests in Bahrain, and to drop all falsified charges against them. We appeal to children’s rights organizations and the international community to call on the Bahraini authorities to stop violating children’s rights. …source

Saudi minister says Shia cleric ‘mentally ill’
30 July, 2012 – Al Akhbar

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz on Monday described prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr, detained in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, as mentally ill, a statement likely to spark further protests in the country.

“Nimr Nimr is someone who stirs sedition…The way he speaks reflects a mental deficiency and imbalance,” Ahmed said at a press conference, according to a report by state news agency SPA.

Ahmed claimed that authorities do not discriminate against the family of Nimr, but warned that those affected by his “deviation” should be stopped.

“His wife works in immigration, and his sons and daughters have scholarships to study abroad. The government sent his wife to the United States for treatment when she suffered a malignant illness,” he said.

“Everything is available for him, just like others,” Prince Ahmed added.

Nimr remains in hospital after being seriously wounded during his violent arrest earlier this month in the restive district of Qatif in the Eastern Province.

His arrest sparked huge street protests, with at least three people killed as authorities sought to crush the unrest.

Saudi police on Friday again confronted demonstrators who marched in Qatif demanding the release of Nimr and other detainees, witnesses said, while the interior ministry announced arresting several people among “rioters.”

The district witnessed a spate of protests after an outbreak of violence between Shia pilgrims and religious police in the Muslim holy city of Medina in February last year.

The protests escalated when the kingdom led a force of Gulf troops into neighboring Bahrain the following month to help crush a pro-democracy uprising against the ruling monarchy.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world, and the Shia minority often complain of discrimination in the mainly Sunni conservative kingdom. …source

U.S. Nonprofit Wins License to Supply Free Syrian Army
By davidswanson – – 28 July 2012 -by Barb Weir, Deliberation.info

“Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the License, the Syrian Support Group, Inc. (the “Licensee”) may export, sell, or supply to the Free Syrian Army (“FSA”) financial, communications, logistical, and other services otherwise prohibited by Executive Order 13582 in order to support the FSA…”

According to Treasury License No. SY-2012-294747-1, dated 23 July 2012, the Syrian Support Group, Inc. (SSG) will be providing “otherwise prohibited” services to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) under the supervision of the Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions Policy at the U.S. Department of State. The license was announced on the SSG website syriansupportgroup.org after a copy was leaked to the public. According to the website, the SSG “was formed to promote the establishment of a free, independent and democratic Syria” and “we advocate military intervention by any willing country to ensure saving lives…”

These developments are astounding. It is extraordinary that the U.S. State Department would even have an Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions Policy. Usually, such places are called the Office of Humanitarian Liberation and Promotion of Prosperity Policy. We haven’t had that kind of honesty in government office titles since the Department of War was renamed, and our government should be commended for not hiding the financing of terrorism behind a cloak of euphemisms.

It is also an entirely new role for the military. Usually we think of doctors, fire departments and humanitarian agencies as saving lives, often in situations of military conflict. For military intervention to be tasked with saving lives rather than taking them is therefore also revolutionary, and we may hope that this daring experiment will succeed.

Finally, we are entitled to be astonished that the SSG would invite “any willing country” to join the military intervention in Syria. That could be quite an array. To date, Russia, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Libya and probably many more might qualify. If an invitation were extended to North Korea, I’m sure it would receive favorable consideration.

Indeed, the Syrian Support Group is blazing a new trail in uniting the militaries of all these countries in peaceful humanitarian efforts. The photos on their website of soldiers with weapons that they obviously have taken out of combat and intend to destroy are an inspiration to us all. …source

Bahrain sees fresh anti-govt. rallies
29 July, 2012 – PressTV

Bahraini protesters have taken to the streets again across the sheikdom, calling for an end to the reign of the ruling monarchy.

The anti-regime protesters rallied in several villages on Saturday, chanting slogans against the Al Khalifa regime.

The demonstrators also expressed solidarity with anti-regime protesters in neighboring Saudi Arabia and called for the immediate release of jailed Saudi cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr.

Anti-government demonstrations continue across the country, despite crackdown by the Manama regime.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, a plea that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Bahraini demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of protesters during the uprising.

Meanwhile, Saudi anti-regime protesters held fresh demonstrations across Riyadh as well as the holy city of Mecca to protest against the arrest of political prisoners, including Sheikh al-Nemr. …source

Saudi anti-regime protesters stage rallies in Riyadh, Mecca
shiapost – 29 July, 2012

Saudi anti-regime protesters have held fresh demonstrations across Riyadh as well as the holy city of Mecca to protest against the arrest of political prisoners.

Chanting anti-regime slogans on Saturday, the angry protesters demanded the release of political prisoners and the downfall of the US-backed monarchy.

On Friday, Saudi security forces opened fire and injured several demonstrators in the eastern city of Qatif.

Similar demonstrations were also held against the regime in the village of Awamiyah and the city of Buraydah.

Tensions have been running high in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province over the past weeks following the detention of Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr.

Sheikh Nemr was attacked, injured, and arrested by Saudi security forces, while driving from a farm to his house in the province’s Qatif region on July 8.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Qatif region and Awamiyah, also in the Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.” …source

Bahrain opens probes into police abuse allegations
29 July, 2012 – US News

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain’s Interior Ministry says it is opening investigations into possible rights violations by police during crackdowns on opposition protesters.

The probes into possible police abuses are in line with recommendations last year by an independent commission that studied the Gulf nation’s Shiite majority’s uprising against the Sunni monarchy.

A statement Sunday says the Interior Ministry seeks to uphold “international standards” among its security forces in efforts to build trust after more than 17 months of protests and clashes.

Bahrain has said before that it will look into abuses but this is one of the most forcefully worded pledges.

More than 50 people have died in unrest since February 2011 in the strategic kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.
…source

Bahraini Delegation Attends Workshop in London
30 July, 2012 – Bahrian News

London-July29(BNA)A Bahraini Parliamentary delegation outlined the Kingdom’s landmark development, democratic and constitutional strides.

Led by Mp Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Mulla, the delegation projected the true image of Bahrain’s reform momentum.

The legislative delegation took part in the second day of the 10th workshop which brings together parliamentarians and academic figures.

Hull University Centre for Legislatives Studies is organizing the event at Wroxton College, Oxfordshire, under the auspices of the International Parliament Union (IPU).

The delegation outlined Bahrain’s landmark achievements in the sectors of health, education and housing – being constitutionally-guaranteed basic rights.

Mp. Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Mulla pointed out the recently endorsed constitutional amendments to meet people’s aspirations.

He paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for initiating a reform project which promoting the Kingdom’s fledgling democracy and projecting its status.

The delegation also included Mps Sawsan Taqawi and Mohammed Al-Emadi and Shura Council members Dr. Nasser Hameed Al-Mubarak, Dr Jehad Abdulla Al-Fadhel and Dr. Said Ahmed Abdulla. …source