Mexico Anti-Violence Protesters Arrive in U.S., Demand Change from American People, Government

A caravan of Mexican anti-violence protesters arrived in the United States over the weekend. Mexican poet, Javier Sicilia, led the traveling protest, which began last week south of Mexico City and ended in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. Sicilia demanded the United States end the Merida Initiative, which provides training and support for the Mexican army in its “war on drugs.” The Mexican military has been criticized for contributing to the nation’s violence since President Felipe Calderón militarized the drug war in 2006. Sicilia also called on the American people to recognize their own role in fueling drug violence by purchasing and consuming narcotics. To date, more than 35,000 people have died in Mexico as drug cartels and the Mexican government struggle for control of the region. Javier Sicilia began speaking out after the murder of his son.

Javier Sicilia, Mexican poet and peace convoy leader: “We are asking for a national security law for the whole country and also for different forms of taking care of our own citizens, of which there are many ways. We are also asking for more money and investment into our students and for more opportunities for our students. We need to stop feeding violence and start feeding education and culture.” …source

FBI probe could be headache for President Obama
By REID J. EPSTEIN | 6/14/11 7:26 AM EDT

President Barack Obama’s Midwestern labor supporters are angry about a growing FBI investigation targeting peace and union activists in the Midwest, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The probe – which the report says could cause “political discomfort” for the president as he gears up for re-election – dates to the 2008 protests at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota and has led to subpoenas issued to 23 people, all of whom are vocal critics of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and South America.

Backed by a coalition of labor – which includes local and statewide affiliates of key Democratic allies like AFSCME, the SEIU – a group calling itself the Committee to Stop FBI Repression has organized to protest the investigation. On its website, the group posted letters of support from seven members of Congress, including Obama allies like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Schakowsky wrote in April to Attorney General Eric Holder to “convey concerns raised with me” about a September FBI raid that targeted antiwar activists in Chicago and Minneapolis.

The seven-term Chicago Democrat shared with Holder a letter from attorney Michael E. Deutsch of the People’s Law Office in Chicago claiming those targeted in the probe are being investigated because they have spoken out against U.S. foreign policy. …more

[Editor Note: cannot be independently verified at this time]

iReport —

Severely Tortured Bahraini “Jaber Ibrahim al-Alawiat” Martyred A “severely tortured” Bahraini anti-regime activist has martyred a day after he was released from jail, witnesses say. Witnesses say Jaber Ibrahim al-Alawiat was “severely tortured” by Bahraini regime forces while in detention. The activist had been imprisoned for taking part in anti-government protests that have been brutally suppressed by the Saudi-backed security forces in Bahrain. According to rights groups, including Amnesty International, at least 500 people have been detained in crackdowns since the country-wide protests began in mid-February. On Monday, a Bahraini military court tried 48 doctors, nurses and paramedics that were accused of supporting anti-government protesters. They face a whole host of charges, including an attempt to overthrow the monarchy, possessing weapons and stealing medicine. Rights groups have reportedly expressed concern about the military court proceedings, which have either been held behind closed doors or with only select media and family members allowed to observe.
…source

The Media Line:

Bahrain Backtracks on Workers’ Rights Reform
Written by Rachelle Kliger
Published Monday, June 15, 2009
BCHR
Bahrain has decided not to revoke a system that has been criticized for violating the rights of foreign workers.

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said it would not be canceling the sponsorship system, which stipulates that foreign workers in the Gulf country must be sponsored by an employee in order to obtain a work visa and cannot switch jobs freely.

The decision to cancel the sponsorship system was announced last month and was praised by human right activists and labor organizations. But the BCCI is now saying the sponsorship system will remain intact. Under discussion instead are considerations that will allow workers to switch employers more freely, the BCCI said.

“There’s a lot of pressure from the business community and many of the business [people] are big officials in the government,” Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights told The Media Line.

Contrary to some reports, Rajab said the sponsorship system was never abolished but said “the government tried to market it that way.” Restrictions were alleviated to make it easier for the workers to change employers and this was indeed welcomed by human rights organizations, he said. …more

Journalists in Bahrain: The Murder of Free Speech and the Siege of Freedom
More than 68 journalists have been subjected to lay-off, arrest and threats because of their work
Bahraini journalists call for a helping hand and for the adoption of measures to insure their safety.
BCHR – 3 May 2011

Since the 14th of February 2011, Bahrain has seen a political movement demanding freedom, democracy, and the revival of communal partnership in the framework of the civil movements seeking freedom which are currently overrunning Arab countries. This was followed by brutal security crackdowns and the entry of the Peninsula Shield forces (Military units of 6 Gulf countries) into Bahrain. Journalists engaged in this event with daily coverage through both their jobs at local newspapers, through their announcements on satellite television stations, by writing to Arabic newspapers in the framework of their presence at the site of action, and via effective action through online social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Because of that, journalists have been subjected to a campaign of lay-offs and collective arrests affecting more than 68 journalists, while many have received different threats originating from the Bahraini authorities, its associated organizations, and affiliated parties. The online activist Zakariya Al Aushayri has been killed in detention and Reporters without Borders have released an official statement demanding an investigation into the incident, indeed the reporters Faisal Hayyat, Hayder Mohammad, Ali Jawad, and other bloggers and e-activist have been arrested. Warrants have been issued for others as well, causing some to leave Bahrain, in fear of their personal safety.

Bahrain is currently considered a dangerous zone for the freedom of press and journalists. Bahraini journalists are hoping for a helping hand and for the adoption of measures to insure their safety. We firmly believe that any journalist arrested by the Bahraini government could die in view of the current security laws (the emergency law) implemented in the country, the severity of the situation, and the arbitrary procedures that the country has seen on multiple levels that go up against the international commitments concerning human rights; especially with the rise in the number of people killed in Bahraini interrogation centers to 4, asides from the 35 dead during the demonstrations so far, all in a country with a population that does not exceed 570 thousand people. …source

IAA to Take Legal Action against The Independent

Manama, June 14 (BNA)Bahrain has today decided to sue the British Independent newspaper for repeatedly publishing wrong and defamatory information to tarnish its image. The Information Affairs Authority has commissioned a UK-based legal firm to file a case against the British daily. “The Independent has deliberately published a series of unrealistic and provocative articles targeting Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, Publications director-general and acting press and external media director-general Nawaf Mohammed Al-Maawda said.

He accused the British daily of orchestrating a defamatory and premeditated media campaign against both countries, failing to abide by professional impartiality and credibility in its one-sided news-coverage and reports. In this regard, he cited particularly leading Independent Middle-East based reporter Robert Fisk. Mr. Al-Maawda called upon all media to observe accuracy and objectivity and project the true image, adding that all doors remain open to visit Bahrain and gauge the real situation on the ground as the Kingdom is steadily regaining normality and stability. AHN ..source

Sanctions now against brutal Bahraini tyranny
14/06/2011 – 5:30 p | Hits: 8
by Peter Tatchell
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

The international community has failed in its duty to protect the civilian population of Bahrain. It has sat back and done nothing to rein in the regime of King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa.

He stands accused of terrorising his own people, resorting to mass arrest, detention without trial, torture and murder
If the duty to protect civilians applies in Libya, why not in Bahrain?

In defence of the human rights of the Bahraini people, the United Nations, European Union, United States, United Kingdom and Arab League should work together to impose targeted sanctions: halt all arms sales to Bahrain, cease military co-operation, suspend the operation of the US naval base, institute a travel ban and assets-freeze on top regime officials and prohibit the export to Bahrain of luxury items for the rich ruling elite.

They should also refer Bahrain’s leaders to the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council on charges of torture and crimes against humanity, and report Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to the UN Security Council for their interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain and the role of their troops in the violent suppression of the democracy protests

The protesters in Bahrain are demanding democracy and human rights, especially for the Shia Muslim majority who comprises more than 60 per cent of the population. Shias are excluded from political power by the pro-Sunni monarchy and government. They suffer sustained discrimination, especially in housing and jobs

Human rights activists in Bahrain report that at least 30 civilians have been killed, including four people who have died in custody after beatings and torture. Around 400 democracy protesters have been injured. Doctors and nurses who treated the wounded and spoke publicly about their injuries have been arrested, beaten and tortured. Forty-seven of them are being put on trial.

Already four protesters have been sentenced to death, following military trials held behind closed doors.

Close to 1,000 Bahrainis have been arrested since the start of protests in February, although about 300 of these have since been released. Twenty-one opposition activists and human rights defenders are being prosecuted on trumped up charges. …more

Radical Souq

The expulsion of more than 30 students from Bahrain Polytechnic is beyond disgusting. There is no doubt that the Government of Bahrain, (Or is it the Saudi Government? Who is really running the country?) could not have stooped any lower. The ruling class is seeking loyalty by offering education as a reward in an attempt to gain control over the country’s youthful population. This compares well with the Nazi’s policy of harnessing support from Germany’s youth which was seen to be vital pillar of their legitimacy. As Hans Schemm, founder of the National Socialist Teachers’ Federation put it “Those who have the youth on their side control the future.” Education in Bahrain has become, not a universal right, but a reward for people who swear allegiance to the tribe.

The recent series of intimidation and expulsion of around 200 students at Bahrain’s universities is is very likely to be part of a post-marital law retribution policy. It is clear that the government intends to punish as many people as it possibly can before ‘National Dialogue’ commences. Seemingly, therefore, it is very unlikely that this will be a permanent feature of Bahrain’s society. Indeed, with the world media coverage and Obama’s personal, albeit limited, attention towards the country it seems hardly a viable long-term plan. The bigger challenge is not just to return these students back to their respective universities, rather it is to hold those who created this havoc accountable. …source

Iraq’s Sadr asks Bahrain to pardon Shia
June 14, 2011 share

Radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday called on Bahrain to pardon two Shia protesters sentenced to death over the killing of two policemen in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

“I ask the government of Bahrain to grant an amnesty for the two young people sentenced to death for participating in peaceful demonstrations,” he said in a statement from his movement’s headquarters in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.

On May 22, a special Bahrain court upheld death sentences for the two, Ali Abdullah Hasan al-Singace and Abdul Aziz Abdullah Ibrahim Hussein, despite international calls for them to be spared.

The pair, and five others who received life sentences, were accused of running over two policemen during pro-reform protests earlier this year.

“These things put distance between the government and the people,” Sadr said in the statement. “The government must get closer to the people, and work for their interests.”

Shia, who form a majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, began demonstrations in Bahrain on February 14 but were crushed by security forces the following month.

Authorities said 24 people, including four policemen, were killed in the unrest.
-AFP/NOW Lebanon …source

Bahrain: UPDATE – Human rights lawyer Mohammed Al-Tajir is brought before a military court following five weeks of incommunicado detention
Posted on 2011/06/13

Front Line is concerned about the bringing to trial before a military court of a prominent Bahraini lawyer and human rights defender. On 12 June Mohammed Al-Tajir was brought before the Bahraini Lower National Safety Court in Manama to face a number of charges including publicly inciting hatred of the system of government in Bahrain; spreading malicious news and propaganda; and publicly inciting the abduction and harming of security men.
Further Information

The sudden appearance of Mohammed Al-Tajir before the military court came after more than five weeks of incommunicado detention in an unknown location. During this period Mohammed Al -Tajir had been held without access to his lawyers and family and it is feared that the charges brought against him may have been based on confessions extracted under duress. There are also fears that he may have been forced to incriminate himself. The military prosecution told the court that it had concluded that the statements obtained from the accused during the interrogations are sufficient as evidence to indict him, and that the prosecution shall reserve the right to present its closing remarks on the case.

Mohammed Al -Tajir who was not allowed access to legal counsel during the interrogation denied all charges brought against him. The trial was adjourned until 16 June 2011. There have been credible reports of torture and ill-treatment of human rights defenders and other prisoners currently being tried by the military court. The court has so far failed to investigate claims of torture and ill-treatment brought before it by the accused.

Mohammed Al-Tajir was the subject of a Front Line urgent appeal dated 18 April 2011. Front Line reiterates its calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mohammed Al-Tajir and to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against him as it is believed that his arrest, detention and the charges brought against him are solely related to his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights and his lawful pursuit of his profession as a lawyer. …more