May 13th, 2011
Another Agency May Have Lied to Court in a FOIA Case
Commentary by Jennifer Lynch

In an ongoing battle in the Southern District of New York about whether the government must disclose metadata when it releases documents under the Freedom of Information Act, it now appears Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may have lied in a declaration it filed with the court. This comes on the heels of our earlier report about the FBI lying in a FOIA case in California and does not instill confidence that the government is acting honestly or ethically in FOIA litigation.

The case is National Day Laborer Organizing Network v. ICE, and it was brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and the Immigration Justice Clinic at Cardozo Law School. The plaintiffs are trying to get information on an ICE program called “Secure Communities” that conscripts state and local entities into enforcing federal immigration law by requiring the entities run the fingerprints of all individuals arrested (not convicted) through a federal database. …more

Bahrain : updates following the hearing of 21 political opponents and human rights defenders
13 May 2011

Despite an announcement by the Bahraini authorities, the second hearing of the trial being held against 21 political opponents and human rights defenders before the National Security court was not held in public. Two observers from International human rights NGOs were not allowed to attend the hearing. The defendent’s lawyers complained that they did not have enough time with their clients and that the prison conditions were very bad. The request by one of the lawyers for the release of the detainees was refused.

During the hearing, AbdulHadi Alkhawaja told the judge that he feared for his life as he had been threatened by his jailers that they would kill him. After the hearing, all the families were allowed to see the detainees except his family.

The families of the detainees have been threatened to not be allowed to see the detainees if they speak to one of the international observers. …source

Obama Administration Declines Opportunity to Lay Out Bahrain Position
For Immediate Release: May 13, 2011

Washington, D.C. — Under Secretary William Burns and Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman declined the opportunity to testify today before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on rights abuses in Bahrain. After this disappointing decision, Human Rights First is increasingly concerned by the Obama Administration’s unclear approach to handling the Bahraini government’s violation of human rights.

While the Administration maintains that it disapproves of the Bahraini government’s treatment of peaceful dissenters, the U.S. has failed to take concrete steps to hold Bahrain accountable. In yesterday’s State Department press briefing, Acting Deputy Mark Toner claimed that the U.S. remains very concerned with reports of human rights abuses in Bahrain, and will continue to encourage dialogue with the Bahraini government and ask that the government take action against individuals in a “transparent manner in accordance with international human rights obligations.”

Human Rights First recognizes the Obama Administration’s desire to maintain a positive relationship with the Bahraini government during this period of turmoil, but the U.S. can do much more to support human rights in the country, and its failure to lead in doing so creates considerable confusion about U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. should speak vigorously and publicly not only about the imperative of international human rights norms, but also about the specific types of violations perpetrated by the Bahraini security forces against individuals with names.

Yesterday, Acting Deputy Toner also admitted there has been only loose communication between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Bahraini officials, explaining that there has been no contact with the Bahraini Government since the Secretary met with the Bahraini Foreign Minister last week. HRF’s Brian Dooley, who today left Bahrain, said, “The Obama Administration needs to be assertive with the Bahraini government, and President Obama and Secretary Clinton need to publicly challenge the abuses happening in Bahrain. The U.S. should tell the Bahraini government to free those imprisoned for peaceful protests, conduct fair trials, make credible investigation into official acts of violence and hold people accountable.” ..more

[cb – editor note] In Bahrain, Saudi troops continue to occupy Bahrain to prop-up King al Khalifa and his regime as they detain, kidnap and torture, democracy supporters and Human Rights Activists in an all out effort to silence a resistance that cannot be quieted – with each blow, with each attack on the people of Bahrain, the King hastens an end to his days as ruler.

Bahrain Monarchy from British Empire to US Fifth Fleet
by TRNN

Listen to this talk about how the king came to power in Bahrain is Husain Abdulla. He’s the director of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain.

Transcript

PAUL JAY: Welcome to The Real News Network. I’m Paul Jay in Washington. Thanks for joining us again.
HUSAIN ABDULLA: Thank you.JAY: I should remind people who didn’t see our other interview, you’re a small business man in Alabama, and you represent this organization, which has members across the United States. So talk a little bit about the history of the Khalifa family, how they came to power, and what keeps them there.

ABDULLA: Al Khalifa came to Bahrain in 1790. So they’ve been ruling–or close to that period. They’ve been ruling Bahrain for over 220 years. Since they came to Bahrain, they had this hereditary dictatorship, which mean the father gives the rule to his son. And major government post, actually over 80 percent, held–or 70 percent, held by Al Khalifa ruling family. And it’s basically an autocratic, authoritarian rule, where there is no free or fair elections. Human rights are violated. Torture is a policy against political prisoners. Prisons are full of political prisoners. And there is no real freedom of press or expression. And the government brought mercenaries in their security forces so they can attack the majority of the people.

JAY: Let’s go back a little bit. They more or less become the British protectorate, if I understand it correctly, in the late 1890s, and for most of the 20th century are really under British control. They’re certainly in alliance with Britain. When does that transfer, where the Americans become more dominant? Then when does the Fifth Fleet show up?

ABDULLA: Bahrain became an independent country in 1970, ’71. The relationship between the United States and Bahrain started in mid ’50s. And then Bahrain was chosen to be the base for the Fifth Fleet. Bahrain and the government of Bahrain, the Al Khalifa ruling family, enjoyed a very strong, robust relationship with different US administration[s]. …more

Bahrain: Women Struggle to Unite Fractured Bahrain

By Suad Hamada

Manama (IPS) – Women in Bahrain have launched new initiatives to tackle sectarian tensions that emerged as the fallout of widespread unrest sweeping the country since Feb. 14.

The tiny island with oil incomes representing around 70 percent of government revenues was known for years for its peaceful coexistence between its majority Shiite and minority Sunni populations. The majority of those who participated in demonstrations before the declaration of the three-month state of emergency in March were Shiites. Sunnis were mainly involved in pro-government rallies. The result: long-time friends have turned enemies. Each sect has issued a list of shops that should be boycotted because Bahrainis of the opposite sect own them. Those lists are circulated through leaflets, email and e-forums.

‘Women for Bahrain’ is an initiative that is working to unite Bahrainis once again. “Through the group we are trying to tell people that religion is for god, and the country is for all of us, and how sectarianism could lead to serious complications,” activist and member of the media committee Fawziya Al Khaja told IPS. The recently formed women’s group of different walks of life stands against powers in Bahrain backing sectarian tension to promote their agendas, she says. The group commenced its activities in March, calling for love and tolerance through Internet social networks. A unity petition was launched.

A gathering in the same month followed the call for love and tolerance. It promoted meditation and other exercises.
“The group’s activities wouldn’t have a timeframe and would continue as long as we are needed, we want from the people of Bahrain to respect and accept each other regardless of their differences and to share the love of their country,” Al Khaja says. …more Gunda Werner Institute

Bahraini women are paying dearly for expressing their views

Dozens are detained in prison facing torture and humiliation for participating in peaceful protests.
Bahrain regime is killing, detaining, physically and verbally abusing and dismissing women from work and education.

“States should condemn violence against women and should not invoke any custom, tradition or religious consideration to avoid their obligations with respect to its elimination. States should pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating violence against women and, to this end, should refrain from engaging in violence against women and exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and, in accordance with national legislation, punish acts of violence against women, whether those acts are perpetrated by the State or by private persons”
-Article 4- Declarations on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Bahrain center for Human Rights strongly condemns the ongoing crackdown against the peaceful protesters in Bahrain, specially the repression and detention of a great number of Bahraini women such as political and social activists, doctors, teachers, housewives as well as school and university students. These women are facing torture as well as physical and verbal abuses that leads to death in some cases; in addition to the dismissal from work and education. This is thought to be a vengeance against Bahraini women for the key role they played since the beginning of the protests; a way to force them giving up that role and retreat any activity they had in the protesting movement since last February. It is also a way to add pressure on the opposition to retreat their legitimate demands.

Since the early days of the Bahraini revolution on February 14th, 2011, Bahraini women participated as an active and influential entity in the protests. They advanced in great numbers on the front lines of the peaceful protests and expressed their opinion by demanding their political and human rights, giving speeches and reciting poetry. Their presence in the Pearl Square -The symbol of Bahrain’s revolution- was significant in taking up management roles, rescuing those injured by the excessive force used by Bahraini security forces; as well as documenting the brutalities committed against protesters and speaking to various media outlets. …more

Bahrain: The first prisoner of conscience after Feb 14 protests, still imprisoned
May 14th, 2011

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about Mr. Mohammed Albuflasa (a former Bahrain Defence Force officer), 36 years old.

On 15 Feb 2011 , Bahraini security forces arrested Mr. Albuflasa, who worked in the office of the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, after he gave a speech on the podium during protests in Manama’s Pearl Roundabout demanding political reforms.

Towards the End of February he had been presented before the military court without a lawyer and the military court charged him with the following:

1- Engage in political activity
2- Participate in the gathering
3- Incitement against the regime

Court decided to sentence Mr. Albuflasa to two months imprisonment.

He is sentence was due to end on 14 April, 2011 but the military prosecutor extended his detention for 45 days till further notice which often means to an unknown period without any new charges or clarification. At the end of February 2011, the Parliament had requested the release of Mr.Albuflasa , however, the Bahraini authorities has to date ignored these calls.

Every Friday Mr.Albuflasa is permitted to make a phone call to his family. The family has informed the BYSHR that it demands visitation rights and that he be allowed to appoint a lawyer and have access to him as soon as possible.

The BYSHR calls for immediate release of Mr. Mohammed Albuflasa as he has not been allowed the basic right to an attorney before, during and after his trial that the demands of his family, visitation rights and access to an attorney, be met. …more

Norway concerned over the human rights situation in Bahrain

“I am deeply concerned about the deterioration in the human rights situation in Bahrain,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Foreign Minister is particularly concerned about the fact that four protesters were sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in the killing of two policemen during the protests in the country in March. “The fact that the trial took place behind closed doors in a military court gives cause for concern. The accusations against the four protesters are serious, and for that reason it is important that the trials are held in civilian courts, in accordance with the conventions that Bahrain itself has acceded to,” said Mr Støre.

“Norway is opposed to the use of the death penalty in general, and I would like to encourage the Bahraini authorities to introduce a moratorium on executions,” Mr Støre commented.

Foreign Minister Støre is also very concerned about the fact that so many healthcare workers have been arrested in Bahrain, and finds it unacceptable that the Bahraini authorities have threatened in recent weeks to ban opposition parties in the country.

“Dialogue is the only way of solving the political conflict in Bahrain. It is therefore crucial that a national dialogue between the royal family and the protesters on necessary reforms gets under way as soon as possible. The Bahraini authorities must respect freedom of expression and protect human rights defenders in the country,” Mr Støre said. …more

‘Mass sackings’ in Bahrain crackdown

Part four in our exclusive series on Bahrain examines claims that a government crackdown has moved into the workplace.
Last Modified: 14 May 2011 12:02

More than 2,000 private sector employees, most of them Shia, have either been sacked or suspended in an expanding Bahraini crackdown on anti-government protests, an Al Jazeera investigation has found. The General Federation of Bahrain’s Trade Unions puts the figure of those who have been fired at 1,300, with Bahraini rights groups reporting that hundreds more have been suspended from their government jobs.

The International Labour Organisation says that the number of people dismissed or suspended currently stands at over 2,000.

Al Jazeera spoke to a number of people who had been fired in recent weeks. They spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing government reprisals. One man said that lawyers asked him questions related to anti-government protests the day he was fired. “He kept asking if I went to the Pearl Roundabout, if I went to the protests. If I met any of the opposition leaders. If I was a member of any political societies. If I made donations to the protesters. These questions were repeated again and again,” he said.

Turning point

The turning point for this side of the crackdown came when labour unions called a general strike on March 13. Under Bahraini law, companies are within their rights to terminate the employment of staff members who miss days of work above and beyond a specified period of unexcused leave. Another man who lost his job told Al Jazeera that he was struggling to support his family. He said that the mass dismissals were completely unexpected. “We have never faced this before. We have no idea how to deal with it. We are waiting for news from the company. Will they let us back? Will i be compensated?” he asked. “It’s the only job I know and I loved it.”

The International Labour Organisation has appealed to the Bahraini government to ensure that workers are not subjected to “unfair, unjust and degrading” treatment. …more

BAHRAIN: Activist describes electroshock, torture by government forces
May 14, 2011 | 12:57 pm
by LA Times and Carnegie Middle East

After reports this week of security forces in Bahrain torturing detainees, particularly medical personnel, Babylon & Beyond spoke with Mohammed Maskati, president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights who has been working to document human rights abuses in the capital, Manama, and throughout the Gulf nation with international partners such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Q: What is your focus now?

50356_10604207164_4576_n A: On Thursday the first nurse got sentenced in Bahrain, his name is Hassan Matooq. He is also a photographer, he took photos of all the injured people who came to the hospital. They charged him with four charges: torturing the injured, illegal gathering, participating in a rally and also broadcasting false news. He was sentenced to three years.

If he has only four charges and he is sentenced to four years, we are very afraid for the 47 medical staff (in custody), many of them have more than 10 charges against them.

Q: Why are medical personnel being detained?

A: They helped the injured and they are witnesses. If the government wants to destroy all the evidence, it’s one answer — you accuse medical staff because the main witness of what happened in Salmaniya Hospital, the number of figures of the injured and what kind of weapons were used at that time, was the medical staff. The medical staff know everything.

Q: Have you spoken with any of the medical personnel?
A: We did not speak with them but we spoke with some people who were with them. They said the police, they were tortured. We talked with the ones who were released.

Q: How many people did you speak with?

A: More than 30. Six talked about the doctors.

Q: Were the doctors treated differently than other detainees?

A: Yes, they get more torture. Some doctors, a very famous doctor, we don’t want to announce his name, they forced him to dance to music and they filmed.

Q: Was that meant to shame him?

A: We don’t know. All of those who were released talk about the security forces forcing them to chant for the government. Some of them forced them to say bad words about another opposition leader. Some of them more than 10 days they were handcuffed with plastic ones, not the normal handcuffs, and blindfolded.

Q: There have been reports police used electroshock on the detainees — did anyone tell you about that? What did they say was done to them?

A: Yes. You know an electric shaver? It looks like that but it is for electroshock. What was explained to us, it is the same size, the same style, but it shocks.

Q: How would police use that in interrogations?

A: They say they put it for 10 seconds, then they take it. Some of them, they say, they say they put it on sensitive places.

Q: Where would they put it?

A: On the back, on the head. Some of them they put it down in their private parts. But they don’t put it more than 10 seconds.

…more

May 13, 1:58 PM EDT
US eases travel warning for Bahrain

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has eased its travel warning for Bahrain, citing security improvements in the Middle East country.

Yet the State Department also warned of continuing unrest and said Americans traveling to Bahrain should take precautions. Some U.S. citizens might not be allowed to enter the country because of increased scrutiny by authorities, while demonstrations and ongoing security operations mean travel could become dangerous.

The State Department says U.S. diplomats in Bahrain are back at work, after authorizing the departure of non-essential personnel in April. The embassy is open and operating normally.

Protests that have gripped much of the Arab world spread to Bahrain earlier this year, but the government has cracked down hard.

There are no indications Americans or Westerners are being threatened or targeted, the State Department said.
…source