Jordanian MPs and over 1500 political and juridical activists condemn Camp Ashraf massacre
Jordan – Jordan’s Parliament

Algabas daily, Kuwait, May25, 2010

This declaration noted that over 1500 Jordanian figures, including 15 members of Parliament, 3 former ministers, dozens of former parliamentarians and senators, dozens of former politicians and diplomats, dozens of independent Islamic figures and personalities that represent different Islamic interpretations, academics and journalists, employers of private sections, retired figures, physicians and nurses, businessmen and TV and film producers, human rights advocates, law experts, researchers and legal counselors, Muslim and Christian clerics, religious figures and Imams of mosques, engineers, syndicate activists in charity societies, judges and Sharia law judges, association and syndicates, through signing this declaration, recognized the” April 8, 2011 attack of Iraqi forces against Camp Ashraf, which is a disarmed area”, and “the massacre that they perpetrated against the Ashraf residents” as a shameful act for humanity that deserves condemnation and abhorrence and it dangerously violates international laws and common laws and it flagrantly challenges the Fourth Geneva Convention, under which the Ashraf residents are considered protected persons”.

This declaration also supports the proposed plan of the European Parliament delegation led by Struan Stevenson to Iraq regarding the protection of Ashraf residents. …more

Why the Bahrain Grand Prix must be cancelled immediately
Tom Cary is The Telegraph’s Formula One Correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter @tomcaryf1
By Tom Cary Formula One Last updated: February 18th, 2011

There is now no question in my mind that the Bahrain Grand Prix must be cancelled. Why wait until next week? Bernie should do it now.

There are times when sport needs to take a back seat and this is definitely one of those times – no matter how much money is involved or how many interested parties there are (and remember, it’s not just F1’s pockets which are being lined by the grand prix, a cancellation would hit the local economy too, small businesses etc).

The latest reports, in particular this one by Nicholas D Kristoff of the NY Times, paint a terrifying picture of a country that has lost control and lost the plot.

I’ve got to be careful what I say here. In these situations it is always difficult to separate truth from rumour; to tell whether destabilising forces are distorting the picture (for instance, the atrocities described by Kristoff may have been committed by rogue factions who have ulterior motives rather than Bahraini officials). There are pro-government marches too, which haven’t received half the attention. Propaganda may well be clouding our judgement.

But the reaction of the authorities to Kristoff’s report – if true – suggests to me that they are not altogether in touch with reality. A tweet from the American on Friday morning was extraordinary, describing how Bahrain’s royal family is unhappy with his reporting.

“I’ve heard that through the PR firms that they hire,” Kristoff said. “There is apparently a campaign to get me fired – I don’t really know how they’re going to proceed with that. Most remarkably, one member of the royal family tweeted that I am supplying weapons to outlaws and that I have ties to Hezbollah. To me this was a reflection of the completely delusional world in which the government lives. The government does not want reporters here… This is a wealthy country, it’s cosmopolitan, it’s well-educated, it’s a banking centre. And then they have this thuggish behaviour, with police sent in firing on people, crowds. It is astonishing and it breaks your heart.” …more

Ecclestone hopeful Bahrain GP goes ahead
© AP, 27 May 2011
© AP Images

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone still hopes the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead but admits finding a prospective date in an already long season could yet prove a headache.

F1’s governing body has given Bahrain until June 3 to decide if a new date can be set for the race this year.

It was meant to be the season opener on March 13, but was canceled by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa after anti-government protests in the country.

“I hope F1 will be racing there, the teams are happy, the problem is the date,” Ecclestone said Thursday at the Monaco Grand Prix. “The trouble for the teams is that it is difficult with all their people, so they’re going to speak to them and find out what the general feeling is.”

Team chiefs discussed the matter after Thursday’s second practice session in Monaco had ended.

The decision whether the race goes ahead, and when, will be made during next week’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona.

One possible option is for the Bahrain Grand Prix to take India’s slot at the end of October, meaning New Delhi would have to wait until early December for its inaugural appearance — a move that would also add to an arduous season.

“The teams are concerned they will be overextended, but we have to make a decision because the teams want to know what is going on,” Ecclestone said, adding that there will be no extension to Bahrain’s deadline.

As things currently stand, the Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to be the last of the season on Nov. 27.
…source

Bahrain: Acts of harassment and intimidation against Messrs. Abdulla Alderazi and Essa Al-Ghayeb

URGENT APPEAL – THE OBSERVATORY – BHR 007 / 0511 / OBS 083 – Acts of harassment and Intimidation
May 27, 2011

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.

Description of the situation:

The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the summons of Mr. Abdulla Alderazi, Secretary General of the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), for interrogation by the Military Prosecutor as well as about the travel ban imposed on Mr. Essa Al-Ghayeb, BHRS Deputy Secretary General.

According to the information received, on May 22, 2011, Mr. Abdulla Alderazi was summonsed to the Office of the Military Prosecution for an interrogation without being given any explanations. When he got to the military premises, Mr. Alderazi was interrogated for more than two hours during which he was extensively questioned about his human rights activities and his communication with both international and local media outlets, like Al-Jazeera and Al-Manar. Mr. Alderazi was also accused of participating in the peaceful demonstrations movement that took place in February 2011, although he reminded his interrogators that the right to peaceful assembly was protected by the Constitution of Bahrain.

Mr. Alderazi was told that he might be referred to the military court for trial on the charges of “spreading false information about Bahrain” pursuant to Articles 167 and 176 of the Criminal Code of Bahrain, punishable by six months to one year of imprisonment and/or a fine of 100 Bahraini Dinar (187 Euros). He immediately denied these allegations.

In addition, on April 17, 2011, Mr. Alderazi received a letter that “suspended until final decision” him from his work at the University of Bahrain where he was teaching as a lecturer in the English department. To date, he remains without further news about this new measure against him. To that extent, the Observatory recalls that hundreds of Bahraini have recently been dismissed from their positions for their assumed participation in the demonstrations or for their human rights activities. The Observatory further recalls that on September 8, 2010, the Ministry of Development and Social affairs published a ministerial order ordering the dissolution of the Board of Directors of BHRS, the dismissal of its Secretary General and the appointment of an employee of the Ministry to administer the NGO until the holding of a general assembly, pursuant to Article 23 of the Law of Association No. 21 of 1989. On September 19, 2010, the Board of Directors lodged a complaint against the Ministry. The case was referred to the Urgent Matters Commission, which has failed to date to decide on the matter.

Furthermore, on May 26, 2011, Mr. Essa Al-Ghayeb, who was due to participate in a seminar on the death penalty in Kuwait taking place on May 27-28, was prevented by passport control officers from boarding the plane at the Manama International Airport and informed that he was banned from travelling. Indeed, since the entry into force of a state of emergency on March 15, 2011, the authorities may issue travel bans without providing further details nor any means to challenge it. …more

End actions against the medics in Bahrain
May 27, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

Dear Editor,

Recent events in the Kingdom of Bahrain have evidenced violations of the Geneva Conventions, with the arrest of doctors and nursing staff treating persons injured during civil unrest in that country.

The Physicians for Human Rights organisation, together with Médecins Sans Frontières, Amnesty International and others, have called for a cessation of such actions. Latest information reveals these persons are to be put on trial.

Ireland has a direct involvement with the Bahraini authorities, training and advising on healthcare through a medical school involvement in that country, and it is now incumbent to speak out in defence of colleagues who have disappeared and are believed to be in custody.

Readers are encouraged to register their protest through the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva (guardians of the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols) or any of the above-mentioned organisations.

John Good,

Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture,
Dublin 7. …more

Human Rights Watch
May 26, 2011

“……”Sadly, serious violations like arbitrary arrest, incommunicado detention, and alleged torture by Bahraini authorities pre-date the imposition of martial law in mid-March,” said Tom Porteous, deputy program director at Human Rights Watch. “There is little reason to think that ending martial law on June 1 will make much difference in Bahrain’s menacing human rights climate.”

Human Rights Watch questioned whether a successful Formula One event could be held in an environment characterized by large-scale arbitrary arrests, prolonged incommunicado detentions, credible allegations of torture, and mass dismissals of workers, in violation of Bahraini as well as international law. According to recent news reports, those dismissals and arrests include about a quarter of the staff of the government-owned Bahrain International Circuit, the site of the annual Bahrain Grand Prix.

Human Rights Watch noted that Bahrain, rather than halting its abusive practices, has restricted news coverage of protests and the aftermath [Just like Syria!]. It has detained and beaten Bahraini journalists, including some working for international media, such as France 24. Earlier in May, the government expelled the Reuters correspondent Frederik Richter, the only international journalist based in Bahrain in recent years, who had been covering events there since 2008. Since April 20, the government has prevented Human Rights Watch from working in the country.
“International racing officials should ask Bahraini authorities about the fate and well-being of the Bahrain International Circuit staff,” Porteous said. “And racing officials should seriously consider the appropriateness of holding a Formula One event this year in Bahrain in light of the scale of human rights violations there.”” …source

Cleric Describes Bahrain as “Large Prison”

Tehran’s provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Khatami blamed the US as well as the Bahraini and Saudi regimes for turning Bahrain into a large prison with hard labor.
“The US, al-Saud (of Saudi Arabia) and al-Khalifa (of Bahrain), have turned Bahrain into a big jail under tough conditions,” Ayatollah Khatami said, addressing a fervent congregation of worshippers on Tehran University Campus here on Friday.

“In the country’s prisons, medieval torture [techniques] is practiced under US management and they have drilled the leg of one man and burned the body of another,” he said.

The Iranian cleric said Israeli and British elements oversee the torture of protesters in Bahrain and their henchmen, who are supporters of the Ba’ath forces of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Zionists, and carry out their orders.

Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty’s over-40-year rule.

Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states were dispatched to the tiny kingdom on March 13 to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors. …source

[editor note: new story, old news? working on verification of currency of reported events]

Bahraini forces attack villages
27/05/2011 05:19:06 PM GMT

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have attacked anti-government protesters in several villages across the Persian Gulf sheikdom.

Witnesses say regime troops used tear gas and concussion bombs to disperse protesters in Diraz, Bani Jamrah and some other villages on Friday.

The protesters called for an end to the Al Khalifa rule and the immediate release of detained anti-government protesters.

According to witnesses, Bahraini protesters in recent days have their faces covered to avoid recognition by regime forces.

Saudi-backed Bahraini troops have arrested hundreds of anti-government protesters during overnight operations after identifying them based on pictures taken from opposition rallies.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or arrests on Friday.

Since the beginning of anti-regime protests in Bahrain in mid-February, Manama has launched a harsh crackdown on anti-government protesters, rounding up senior opposition figures and activists in dawn raids and arresting doctors, nurses, lawyers and journalists who have voiced support for the protest movement.

While the whereabouts of many detainees are still unknown, Bahraini authorities have begun to try a number of detained activists in what the opposition calls kangaroo courts.

Protesters have been charged with several counts such as attempting to overthrow the monarchy, and they are being tried in a special security court set up under martial law.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the Bahraini government for its brutal crackdown on civilians.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which visits detainees in conflict situations, has been trying to see and contact Bahraini detained activists since mid-March. But so far Manama has refused to grant it permission.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s state news agency says that military prosecutors have asked the country’s highest court to review death penalties issued against two anti-regime protesters.

Human Rights Watch as also called on the country to stop trying civilians in military courts. …source

Activists from around the Middle East tell FP what they’d like to hear from Obama’s speech on Thursday.
MAY 18, 2011

Bahrain
Nabeel Rajab

What did you learn about the United States’ foreign policy in their response to the uprising in your country?

We thought that our regime’s strong ties with the U.S. administration would strengthen our movement towards democracy and human rights, but unfortunately it turned out to have the opposite effect. It is the first time we feel this kind of oppression and pain caused by the U.S. decision to practice double standards in their foreign policy.

I am afraid that the cautious silence of the U.S. administration has caused them to lose the hearts and minds of the people in this part of the world. It has become evident today that, to the United States, democracy and human rights should only be applied to countries that are in conflict with the United States — but not with dictatorships it calls its allies.

It is time for the United States to realize the urgency of the situation before it completely loses momentum with the people here. Look at history: The United States did the same thing with Iran more than 30 years ago and this is the result. The United States should no longer build its long-lasting strategy depending on repressive regimes, but rather with the people before they lose both. …source