G8 pledges support for Arab Spring countries
Associated Press – September 20, 2011 7:58 pm

The world’s major industrialized nations pledged Tuesday quick and concrete action with a long-term political and economic impact to support Arab nations as they move along the road to democratic reform after uprisings that toppled authoritarian rulers.

Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight also said they would support other Mideast nations that seek transitions to democracy and promised that the help would address the specific needs of the various Arab countries that have ousted their autocratic leaders through mass uprisings.

So far, roughly $80 billion in aid for Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco had been pledged over the next two years, according to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe.

The comments, which followed a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, reflected the international community’s focus on the revolutions and uprisings that have rolled through the Arab world _ erupting first in Tunisia before moving to Egypt. Both those nations saw their long-time leaders pushed from power in an avalanche of popular outrage that has since spread to Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria. Of that list, only Libya has seen a regime change while the other nations are mired in bloody battles as their respective rulers cling to power.

“The Arab Spring is today a source of great hope,” the G8 said in a declaration issued after the meeting. “It originated from the aspirations of the peoples of the region for greater freedom, justice and human dignity. It is both a political and economic challenge that demands immediate and concerted action.”

At a meeting in Deauville, France last May, the G8 launched a partnership with Tunisia and Egypt, and has since expanded the partnership to include Morocco, Jordan and Libya. The partnership also includes Gulf Arab titans Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Turkey, along with international organizations like the International Monetary Fund. …more

Obama’s UN Address and the Bahrain Exception
By Max Fisher – Sep 21 2011, 2:42 PM ET 1
Why is the U.S. treating this Arab state so differently than the others?

Reuters – President Barack Obama, in his speech today to the United Nations, championed the growing U.S. foreign policy emphasis on supporting pro-democracy movements, name-checking the U.S. support for popular uprisings in Libya, Syria, Côte d’Ivoire, and even Yemen. He offered (somewhat retroactive) support for the successful democratic revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. And he made the usual, if unusually brief, call for Iran to improve its human rights. But Obama’s tone changed when he brought up the tiny, oil-rich Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain, where the U.S.-aligned monarchy has been cracking down violently on peaceful demonstrators, to little public protest from the U.S.

The Democracy ReportThe change in Obama’s language and tone when his speech moved from Iran, Syria, and Yemen to Bahrain was difficult to miss. He did not mention the thousands of Bahrainis “protesting peacefully, standing silently in the streets, dying for the same values that this institution is supposed to stand for,” as he did with Syria. Nor he call for “a peaceful transition of power … and a movement to free and fair elections as soon as possible” as he did with Yemen. He did not scold the Bahraini regime for “refus[ing] to recognize the rights of its own people” as did with Iran. Obama declined to declare that “the balance of fear shifted from the ruler to those that he ruled” as he did of Tunisia. He absolutely did not demand “a movement to free and fair elections as soon as possible.”

When Obama spoke of Bahrain, his words sounded more like those of so many U.S. presidential foreign policy addresses of before the Arab Spring: we support our ally, call on him to lead reform, but would rather not discuss his autocratic rule or use of violence against protesters.

In Bahrain, steps have been taken toward reform and accountability, but more are required. America is a close friend of Bahrain, and we will continue to call on the government and the main opposition bloc — the Wifaq — to pursue a meaningful dialogue that brings peaceful change that is responsive to the people. And we believe the patriotism that binds Bahrainis together must be more powerful than the sectarian forces that would tear them apart.

His more muted choice of adjectives, oblique non-reference to the brutal crackdown and entrenching autocracy, even his use of passive voice all echo the older style of U.S. rhetoric on reform in the Middle East. It seems an awful lot like, for example, U.S. policy toward Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak from 2000 through early 2011, when the U.S. pressured its close ally to democratize, to little actual consequence for either the U.S.-Egypt relationship or the Egyptian people. But what’s so jarring about Obama’s adherence to this old way of doing things when it comes to Bahrain is that his administration has, over the past nine months of the Arab spring, legitimately changed course. In April, the U.S. shifted support from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a close and long-held U.S. ally, to the peaceful protesters seeking his ouster. The U.S. doesn’t just support democratic opposition movements challenging American enemies anymore, Obama seemed to be signalling, but those challenging American allies as well.

Bahrain default risk rises to highest since unrest
Tom Arnold – Sep 21, 2011 – The National

Bahrain’s default risk has risen to its highest since the height of political unrest six months ago, against a backdrop of concerns that tensions may reignite ahead of a forthcoming election next week.

The cost of insuring the country’s debt against default rose to 328 yesterday, according to five year credit default swaps from data provider CMA, as cited by Bloomberg News.

The island kingdom was rocked by protests in February and March, during which more than 30 people died and which left the economy reeling. Since then the country’s fiscal position has become increasingly perilous as foreign reserves have dwindled and banking and tourism activity declined.

The cost of insuring the country’s debt had been falling after reaching a peak of 359 on March 15 at the height of the unrest.

Parliamentary elections are due to take place on Sunday. The same day opposition supporters are vowing to hold a mass demonstration in Manama.

Standard Chartered wrote in a report this week it saw “little value” in Bahraini bonds.

“Bahraini issuers, both sovereign and corporate, will find it difficult to tap international markets in the current environment,” Philippe Dauba-Pantanacce and Victor Lohle, wrote in the report. …source

Protesters hold ‘traffic demo’ in Bahrain
Demonstrators block traffic in centre of capital Manama in bid to pressure government ahead of weekend by-elections.
Last Modified: 21 Sep 2011 16:06 – Alazeera

Candidates have been campaigning ahead of by-elections for 18 seats vacated by opposition group al-Wefaq [Reuters]

Protesters have disrupted traffic in the Bahraini capital’s central business district in an attempt to step up pressure on the government ahead of by-elections this weekend, activists and witnesses say.

The demonstration in Manama was called on Wednesday by an internet-based youth group that had acted as one of the main organisers of a popular uprising against the Bahraini government, demanding more rights for its Shia-majority citizens.

Protests began in February, but have been suppressed by the country’s security forces.

Using vehicles to block traffic, witnesses said that activists slowed down the flow of vehicles on main roads leading to central Manama significantly for about three hours on Wednesday morning.

A heavy contingent of police had been deployed to monitor the protest, they said. No violence was reported.

“There is a strong participation in the [opposition’s] peaceful movement,” said Matar Matar, a senior member of al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s largest Shia opposition group.

Matar said that his group had not taken the lead in organising the protest, giving the credit for that instead to youth groups.

The February 14 youth group, which has helped to organise pro-reform protests since earlier this year, had called for the protest on its page on the social networking site Facebook.
Click here for more of Al Jazeera’s special coverage

Roads had later been “reopened” and traffic was flowing as “normal”, the state BNA news agency reported.

It said that police had diverted vehicles to ease “congestion”.

The interior ministry had earlier warned people against taking part in the protest, saying that anyone caught doing so would risk imprisonment and having their driving licence revoked.

Activists say they will continue their movement.

“There will be protests on Friday and Saturday and demonstrators will return to Pearl Square to call for political reforms, a constitutional monarchy and boycotting by-elections,” said Mohammad Mascati, head of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights.

Tensions have been on the rise in the tiny Gulf island kingdom ahead of elections scheduled to take place on Saturday.

The polls were called to replace 18 of the al-Wefaq MPs who walked out of the 40-member parliament in February in protest against a government crackdown on protesters.

Bahraini security forces, aided by a Saudi-led contingent of forces from Gulf countries, drove protesters out of Pearl Square in mid-March.

Authorities say that 24 people were killed during the unrest, while the opposition puts the death toll at 30.

Compensation fund announced

On Tuesday, the Bahraini government announced that it would be creating a fund to compensate victims of the unrest, though it did not specify how much money would be paid out, or how it would be allocated.
IN VIDEO

Al Jazeera speaks to medics who say they were specifically targeted by Bahraini security forces

The National Victims’ Compensation Fund is designed to pay anyone who was “materially, morally or physically harmed” by security forces or public officials during protests this year, state news agency BNA reported.

The kingdom’s Sunni ruling family is keen to rehabilitate its image after drawing criticism from both domestic and international rights groups for the government response to protests.

Families of victims, and people injured while helping victims, will qualify to receive compensation, according to the decree issued by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.

Rights groups say that medical staff who treated wounded protesters were targeted by security forces.

The compensation fund is to be administered independently and will follow United Nations guidelines on reparations, BNA reported. Claimants will be judged by a “specialised court”.

The fund will receive money from the state budget, donations and from investment returns, BNA reported.

It did not specify the value of pay-outs, saying only that they would be “substantial”.

On Tuesday, Bahrain approved an additional budget outlay of $1.03bn over two years to cover wage increases for government employees and improve living standards.

A high-profile panel of lawyers, constituted by the Bahraini government, is currently investigating the unrest and allegations of widespread torture by security forces during the crackdown on protests.

The Bahraini government has consistently maintained that excessive force was never used against protesters or detainees. …source

Committee on Academic Freedom at MESA protest letter on ongoing abuses against faculty, staff, & students in Bahrain

20 September 2011
Your Excellency Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Naimi
Minister of Education
President, Board of Trustees of the University of Bahrain

Dear Dr. Naimi,
On behalf of the Committee on Academic Freedom (CAF) of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA), we are disheartened that we must write yet again to protest the ongoing abuses against faculty, staff, and students at Bahraini educational institutions, as well as Bahraini students studying abroad.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa – the preeminent organization in the field. The Association publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 3000 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere.

As a committee of MESA charged with monitoring infringements on academic freedom, on two earlier occasions we have expressed serious concern over the ongoing assaults, arrests, and dismissals of individuals connected to academic institutions in Bahrain. In particular, we have highlighted the arrest and mistreatment of Professor Masoud Jahromi, the suspension of over 600 students, the dismissal of dozens of faculty members, and the revocation of scholarships of a number of Bahraini students living abroad. Most recently, we have learned that 78 individuals from the Ministry of Education and 19 faculty members at the University of Bahrain have been dismissed for reasons unrelated to their professional responsibilities. We have also learned that although King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has authorized the return of 389 suspended students to the University of Bahrain, these students have not been allowed to resume their studies, and are uncertain about the exact date of their official reinstatement. Additionally, over 38 students are still awaiting trial.

Such actions constitute colossal infringements against academic freedom in deed and spirit. Not only do they contravene international human rights laws and standards, including Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they also betray Article 7 of the Bahraini Constitution which states, “The State guarantees the inviolability of the places of learning.” In your 10th of September, 2011 speech on occasion of the beginning of the new school year, Your Excellency, you reaffirmed, “…education is the master key to fight the battle of life, and has been a trend since the beginning of the modern renaissance in Bahrain in the thought of our wise leadership and citizens, positioning our country among the vanguards of countries who give education much attention.” These continued offenses are an affront to the very principles you profess, and severely undermine Bahrain’s international standing.

We call on the government of Bahrain to reconsider these policies. We ask that you immediately reinstate all faculty, students, and staff who have been dismissed from academic institutions in Bahrain, and that the students be allowed to resume their studies without delay. We also ask that Professor Jahromi’s pending trial be addressed in accordance with international legal standards, and that these continued abuses be halted immediately.

Yours Sincerely,
Suad Joseph
MESA President
Professor of Anthropology and Women’s Studies
University of California Davis

cc:
Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, President of the University of Bahrain
Dr. Abdullah Yousif Al-Hawaj, President of Ahlia University
Her Excellency Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States
His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al-Khalifah, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom
Dr. Yousif Al-Bastaki, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Finance and Information Technology of the University of Bahrain
Prof. M. Cherif Bassiouni, Distinguished Research Professor of Law, De Paul University School of Law

…source BCHR

Why human rights matter – the silenced struggle in Bahrain
September 21, 2011 – by Debbie is Equality Programme Officer at the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).

Last week I was refused entry to Bahrain. With a European passport, we almost expect to enter foreign countries with ease, but my refusal was not due to strict immigration controls. The security service ejected me, and a French lawyer colleague, but no airline has any record of our journey. We were ejected due to our work as human rights defenders.

The very concept of human rights has been much debated and maligned of late, but the ongoing situation in Bahrainserves as a stark reminder of their importance. Human rights are international standards which provide an agreed minimum protection for all people, without distinction. When our own rights are generally well respected, the safeguards they offer us can easily be forgotten. When others’ rights are not respected, they often do not have a voice to explain their struggle.

In February 2011, tens of thousands of Bahraini citizens took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration for democracy. The state reacted forcefully, with reports of attacks on civilians, mass arrests, torture, deaths and the repression of any opposition to these acts. Over 1,400 people have been detained and 39 people have died as a result. Most recently, it was reported that 14 year old Ali Jawad Ahmad al-Shaikh died after being hit by a tear gas canister thrown by riot police.

In March 2011, the King of Bahrain declared a state of national emergency. The state authorities, backed up by the Gulf Cooperation Council, used tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition and brute force to disperse crowds. The injured were brought to Salmaniya hospital, but the security forces used their injuries to identify the protestors. Reports show they locked down the hospital, prevented ambulances from reaching the injured and frustrated the treatment of patients already admitted. Some patients have since disappeared and others have reported being beaten by the security forces.

Following the crackdown, there have been mass arrests of those involved in the demonstrations or speaking out in their defence. In addition, websites have been closed down and journalists cannot report freely on the situation. Thousands of employees have been sacked. There has been a particular targeting of political opponents, human rights defenders and the medical staff at Salmaniya hospital who treated the injured. An independent commission has been mandated to report on the events, but the brutal crackdown continues despite its ongoing work.

Many of those arrested have been held incommunicado or in solitary confinement. They have had restricted access to lawyers and many have reported torture and other ill-treatment. One detainee, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, is a former director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. He was arrested on9 April 2011, after being severely beaten by masked policemen in front of a witness. Since his detention, he has reported torture and sexual abuse and required surgery for his injuries.

Trials have taken place before a military court, set up under the state of emergency. Although such a court should not be used to try civilians, 21 human rights defenders and 20 medical staff have been convicted of disparate offences; some have been sentenced to life in prison. The UN described the trials as ‘political persecution’. On the reading of his verdict, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja stated that he would ‘continue on the path of peaceful resistance’. In response, he was severely beaten by court officers, particularly to his face which was still recovering from his previous injuries. …more

Bahrain protesters clog roads in pre-election act
Associated Press, 09.21.11, 02:32 AM EDT

MANAMA, Bahrain — Traffic has been brought to a crawl on many Bahrain highways after calls by pro-reform groups to flood the roads with cars in a show of strength before parliamentary elections later this week.

Shiite-led protesters are seeking to send a message of defiance to Sunni authorities after warnings of harsh responses to any attempts at disrupting Saturday’s voting in the Gulf kingdom.

The traffic jams hit during the morning commute Wednesday. Security forces were on high alert, but there were no reports of violence.

Bahrain’s majority Shiites began protests in February for greater rights from the ruling Sunni dynasty. Shiite groups are urging a boycott of the upcoming election for 18 seats abandoned by Shiite lawmakers to protest the crackdown.