May 5th, 2011
Help bring disk encryption to the Ubuntu Live CD
Call To Action by Micah Lee

Ubuntu Linux has quickly become the most popular GNU/Linux distribution in use on workstation computers. Ubuntu is user-friendly, doesn’t cost a dime, and is powered by open source software. One of Ubuntu’s best features is full disk encryption, an important security and privacy feature that keeps data on your hard drive scrambled in case it’s lost, seized, stolen, or if you choose to sell or give away your computer in the future.

Right now most users don’t even realize that Ubuntu offers full disk encryption because the option is not included in the popular default Live CD installer. Instead you have to use the text-based alternate CD to install Ubuntu with disk encryption. If we ever hope to make it common practice for laptop users to encrypt their drives, encryption needs to be in the default installation – not some special alternate installation.

We can do something about this! Ubuntu Brainstorm is a simple way to contribute ideas and to have the community to vote on them. Ideas that get lots of votes gain the attention of the developers. If you care about getting full disk encryption built-in to the Ubuntu Live CD installer, please create an Ubuntu Brainstorm account and vote on this idea.

Why encrypt your hard drive?

Encrypting your hard drive protects your privacy and your data in case your computer is lost, seized, stolen, or otherwise ends up in someone else’s hands. Police are unlikely to access your encrypted data without your cooperation or a court order, so using disk encryption makes it much more difficult for them to violate your Fourth Amendment rights that protect you from unreasonable search and seizure. …more

Mozilla to U.S. Government: This is how we politely say no
by Steve Ragan – May 6 2011, 19:50
Nope. Not going to happen. (IMG:J.Anderson)

After the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) asked Mozilla to remove a Firefox add-on that helps people access domains seized under alleged copyright violations, their general counsel was at least polite when he responded with a few questions of his own and essentially said no.

ICE is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Earlier this year, ICE seized hundreds of domains accused of streaming pay-per-view sports by using an ex-parte order. The process allowed ICE to gain control over the domains without their owners being made aware, or afforded the ability to respond to the copyright infringement charges.

Their efforts were viewed as a failure. Many of the domains simply moved to other domain names in places where ICE has no control. Previously ICE has come under fire for using the same tactics on music sites, essentially issuing warrants with legally flawed logic. [More information on that topic is here and here.]

With all the negative press surrounding the domain takedowns, a group of developers had an idea, and within days had a working add-on that would allow Internet users to circumvent the ICE actions. The add-on is called MAFIAAfire [Link], and it’s a rather straightforward program. If a site seized by ICE is operating on an alternate domain, MAFIAAfire will redirect users using the old address to the new one.

Mozilla General Counsel Harvey Anderson, commenting on the request made by ICE, wrote that Mozilla’s policy is to comply with valid court orders, warrants, and legal mandates, “but in this case there was no such court order.” …more

Mozilla to U.S. Government: This is how we politely say no
by Steve Ragan – May 6 2011, 19:50
Nope. Not going to happen. (IMG:J.Anderson)

After the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) asked Mozilla to remove a Firefox add-on that helps people access domains seized under alleged copyright violations, their general counsel was at least polite when he responded with a few questions of his own and essentially said no.

ICE is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Earlier this year, ICE seized hundreds of domains accused of streaming pay-per-view sports by using an ex-parte order. The process allowed ICE to gain control over the domains without their owners being made aware, or afforded the ability to respond to the copyright infringement charges.

Their efforts were viewed as a failure. Many of the domains simply moved to other domain names in places where ICE has no control. Previously ICE has come under fire for using the same tactics on music sites, essentially issuing warrants with legally flawed logic. [More information on that topic is here and here.]

With all the negative press surrounding the domain takedowns, a group of developers had an idea, and within days had a working add-on that would allow Internet users to circumvent the ICE actions. The add-on is called MAFIAAfire [Link], and it’s a rather straightforward program. If a site seized by ICE is operating on an alternate domain, MAFIAAfire will redirect users using the old address to the new one.

Mozilla General Counsel Harvey Anderson, commenting on the request made by ICE, wrote that Mozilla’s policy is to comply with valid court orders, warrants, and legal mandates, “but in this case there was no such court order.” …more

Testimonies: Allegations of Child Abuse in Bahrain
May 7th, 2011

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) documented the testimonies of detainees (have been released recently) and decided to publish some of what has been documented.

BYSHR is deeply concerned about this Allegations of Child Abuse in Bahrain.

First Allegation: 14 years old – Fatima (full name withheld)

Security forces raided our school, and I was arrested amongst a group of students, and force to stand under the sun for a long time.

And she (the student) said, “They forced us to chant pro-government slogans”.

She continues, “We were transported from the school to the police station, and we were beaten and sworn at on the bus that transported us, and they forced us to keep our hands raised up from 10 in the morning till 1 in the afternoon”.

The student says, “In the interrogation room in the police centre, I was asked to disclose the names of the teachers and students that were against the government, I informed them that I do not have any knowledge of them, consequently I was beaten on the face and head, with a water hose”.

She continues, “They wrote an interrogation report and forced me to sign it, and I also had to sign a pledge that I would attend to the police station at anytime of their request”.

Second Allegation: 15 years old – Hassan (full name withheld)

Security forces raided my village, and I was arrested at a location where a group of youth were getting ready to arrange a peaceful rally.

The child says, “One of the security officers in the police car placed a tear gas canister in my mouth and informed me that if I spoke or if the canister dropped from my mouth, he would ignite it and put it in my mouth again. They covered my eyes with a length of fabric and tied my hands from the back”.

The child continues, “As the car was travelling I had to endure beatings and verbal abuse, and one of the security officers began to remove my clothes, and told me that he loves to have relationships with young boys, as I was crying he stopped removing my clothes”.

The boy says, “After they abused us in the police station, we were taken to the ‘Criminal Investigation Building’ and I was questioned regarding the rally and was beaten by people I cannot identify, after this we were escorted to a room with a doctor who then examined us, we were then transported to the Dry Dock Prison”.

He continues, “In the Dry Dock Prison we were forced to chant pro-government slogans, and were beaten and cursed, and were only allowed one meal for more than 10 days, after that we were allowed to have three meals, pray, shower and my tied hands were moved from behind my back to the front”.

And he says, “I have heard sounds of screaming from several of the boys while being tortured and this was very physiologically affecting”. …more

CONFIRMED – Military Trials for 21+/- Democracy Activists in Bahrain, scheduled for today, May 8, has been postponed by until Thursday. This is the ultimate Kangaroo Court and some sentences will likely carry the death penalty. The US and President Obama continue to MAINTAIN THEIR SILENCE.

US activists and all people of conscience with any regard for Human Rights and Democracy, should pull all stops and contact their Congressmen and the White House in full on effort to seek intervention to stop yet another disaster, caused by failed US foreign Policy and President Obama’s INACTION. This situation is urgent and an opportunity for the US to intervene, in a huge way, without the senseless need for bombing and killing or other means toward the loss of life in order to advance the basic democratic freedoms we enjoy in the United State and so easily take for granted.

The 21st century in N. Africa and Middle East belongs to Democracy. It is an end of era that has belonged to Kings and Tyrants, who have prostituted themselves to weapons dealers, highest bidder for their oil wealth and those who profit as surrogates of foreign policy and economic adventures of wealthy nations.

Nations that have propagated these dictators and murders, must move with abandonment from their archaic policies of blind and silent support for the wicked deeds of their friends. They MUST intervene on behalf of Democracy seeking people and ensure protection of their basic Human Rights, if not out of conscience or moral obligation then do it to preserve your own economic and other self interests.

While few will shed a tear over the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, he was of our making. The wealthy nations who prop up the Tyrants, Kings and Dictators in N. Africa and the Middle East, must come to grips with the notion that continued support for their favorite King, Tyrant or Dictator, whether ACTIVE OR SILENT, will create a thousand Bin Ladens. If they fail to ACT NOW, their stain will remain because they STOOD SILENT and WATCHED as these ATROCITIES happen. As they stand SILENT they could have acted to SAVE Fathers, Brothers, Mothers, Sisters and Children, from these despicable men they have chosen as friends.

Pro-democracy activists in Bahrain go on trial at military court

TWENTY-ONE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS have been accused by a Bahraini military court of attempting to overthrow the ruling majority with the support of foreign terrorists.

In Bahrain, demonstrators inspired by unrest in the Arab world have been calling for greater political reform since mid-February.

Last month, a military court convicted four men of killing two policemen during the protests and were sentenced to death. Three others were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the deaths, according to Bahraini state media. The verdicts can not be appealed.

Among those going on trial today are human rights activists and some of the top opposition leaders who have been in custody since emergency rule was declared in March, al Jazeera reports. Only 14 of those charged are actually in custody; the others are being tried in absentia.

Over 30 people have died in the unrest and subsequent government crackdown. Last week, Bahrain’s justice minister said 23 doctors and 24 nurses would face charge including attempts to overthrow the monarchy.

A Bahraini government official claims the kingdom has lost up to $2 billion (€1.4 billion) due to the political unrest, Al Arabiya reports. A number of conferences and events, such as the F1 Grand Prix, have been cancelled and over 1,000 workers have reportedly been arrested over their alleged involvement in the protests. …more

Bahrain emergency to be lifted 1 June as opposition face military court
By RFI

Emergency rule in Bahrain is to be lifted on 1 June, state news agency BNA says. Earlier Sunday opposition leaders appeared before a military court, charged with forming a terrorist organisation which aimed to overthrow the monarchy.

King Hamad Al-Khalifa on Sunday ordered that the state of emergency will be lifted at the end of the month. The trial of the 21 – seven of whom are abroad and to be tried in absentia – was adjounred until Thursday.

Only lawyers and two members of the family of each defendant were allowed to attend the trial, according to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. Lawyers are banned from talking to the media, the organisation said.

The group includes both Sunni and Shia Muslims – the majority of the counrty’s population is Shia, while the ruling Khalifa family is Sunni. They are charged with “forming and directing a terrorist group aimed at overthrowing and changing the constitution of the state and the monarchy system,” the official news agency, BNA, said.

They are also accused of “having contact with a terrorist group abroad that operates in the interest of a foreign country by conducting hostile acts against the kingdom of Bahrain” and “raising funds for the terrorist group despite knowing” the nature of the organisation. …more

Further information on UA: 79/11 Index: MDE 11/024/2011 Bahrain Date: 06 May 2011

URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER TORTURED IN DETENTION

‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a prominent human rights defender, has allegedly been tortured in detention and had to undergo surgery as a result of the injuries sustained. He is now being held in an unknown location in Bahrain. Two members of parliament were detained on 1 May and may also be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a prominent human rights defender and former Protection Co-ordinator for Front Line, an international NGO that works with human rights defenders, was arrested on 9 April. His arrest was in connection with the anti-government protests in February and March 2011. He was arrested in his daughter’s house. According to his family, he was beaten during the arrest, taken away barefoot and not allowed to take his medication with him. He has not been permitted family visits, although his family reportedly spoke with him on the phone on 20 April.

According to reports received by Amnesty International, when ‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja was admitted to the Bahrain Defence Force military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain, around the end of April, he had cracks on his jaw and skull and black marks on his arms, allegedly caused by torture. He was reportedly admitted for six days and had several operations on his head and face. He was hastily returned to prison where he was said to have been tortured again.

The arrests of political opposition figures have continued in April and May. Those arrested include Matar Ibrahim Matar and Jawad Fairouz, who were detained on 1 May. Both men were members of parliament for al-Wefaq, the largest Shi’a party in Bahrain, who resigned together with most other members of al-Wefaq in protest at the government’s crackdown on the protests. On 4 May the Secretary General of the Islamic Action Society, Sheikh Mohamed Ali al-Mahfoodh, was also detained. The whereabouts of the three men remain unknown and Amnesty International fears they might be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. …more