Saudis crush dissent and point finger at Iran for trouble in eastern province
by Ian Black – guardian.co.uk – Thursday 6 October 2011

Kingdom wary of popular uprising warns unrest will be crushed with ‘an iron fist’ and plays down protests, blaming outsiders

Saudi Arabia has made clear it will not tolerate unrest in its eastern province, where 14 people, 11 of them policemen, were injured in protests this week. Any further trouble would be crushed with “an iron fist,” the government warned, anxious to avoid any perception that the first green shoots of the Arab spring have started to emerge in the Gulf’s conservative heartland.

It is no surprise that the regime’s instinct has been to play down the dimensions and significance of the trouble – an “isolated incident” is the official line in Riyadh. Initial evidence of an over-reaction by security forces gave way to a pullout from the flashpoint, Awamiyah, near the regional capital Qatif, where the Saudi interior ministry accused protesters of carrying arms and throwing petrol bombs. YouTube pictures showed some of that — along with the sound of gunfire and cries of “Allahu Akbar.”

It also alleged that the trouble was directed by an unnamed “foreign country” – no prizes for guessing that meant Iran. Unofficial Saudi experts were far less coy, comparing what happened in Awamiyah to the tactics used by Shia protesters in nearby Bahrain during the Pearl Revolution earlier this year, which was also widely, and misleadingly, blamed on meddling by the Islamic republic. Reinforcing Saudi suspicions, Iranian media have hailed the trouble as a “popular uprising” against the monarchy.

Unrest in the eastern province, home to the kingdom’s 2 million-strong Shia minority and its most significant oilfields, is not new. Activists have long campaigned for equality and employment opportunities, though their demands are often painted as sectarian and treated as a security problem. Indeed, the latest unrest seems to have been sparked by the detention of two elderly men to pressure their fugitive sons to turn themselves in. The novelty this year has been the growth of an embryonic civil rights movement and a sense of empowerment created by the dramatic events elsewhere in the Arab world.

Abdul Aziz al-Saqr, chairman of the Gulf Research Centre, predicted an escalation of such incidents. Other analysts detect a strategy by Iran to make up for the weakening of its ally Syria, where Bashar al-Assad is crushing popular unrest. Al-Arabiyya, the Saudi-owned satellite TV channel, is alsopushing this explanation. But the scholar Madawi al-Rasheed commented: “The Saudis are doing what dictators everywhere always do – blaming trouble on outsiders.”
[Read more →]

Ban welcomes move to re-try medical personnel convicted of crimes in Bahrain
Big News Network.com – Friday 7th October, 2011

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the plan to re-try the cases of several Bahraini medical personnel charged and convicted with offences related to the pro-democracy movement in the Arab country.

In a note issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban commended the “determination by the Attorney-General of Bahrain” to have the cases “related to the Salmaniya medical complex tried afresh before civil courts. The Secretary-General underlines his expectation that appropriate ‘due process’ will be followed in all future proceedings.”

Last week several medical personnel received jail terms after being convicted of offences related to the protests that have engulfed the small country this year, reflecting similar uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East.

Both the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) voiced strong concern, with the latter noting that health-care workers must be able to carry out their duty to treat injured people, regardless of their political affiliation, and even in times of conflict. …source

Potential Demonstrations in Bahrain, 7 Oct., 2011
by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 6:40am

The following potential or planned demonstrations in Bahrain should be avoided by all U.S. Forces, DOD civilians, DOD contractors and family members.

Friday, 7 Oct., 1400-1700 in the area between Boori and A’Ali.
Friday, 7 Oct., 1500-1800 in the vicinity of Nuwaidrat.

We continue to monitor events in Bahrain. There are no indications that U.S. citizens are being threatened or targeted.

Reminder: Spontaneous demonstrations can occur at any time. If you encounter a large public gathering, depart the vicinity immediately. Keep a cell phone with you at all times and share you travel plans with a friend, family member or chain of command.

American citizens and coalition partners should stay current with media coverage of events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

The most up-to-date U.S. Embassy Manama demonstration notices are available at http://bahrain.usembassy.gov/demonstration.html

Bahraini legal abuse
guardian.co.uk – 4 October 2011 –

Our foreign secretary has rightly condemned the sentencing of Bahraini doctors and nurses who were arrested after “security” forces overran the Salmaniya Medical Centre in Bahrain’s capital, Manama (Bahraini medics jailed for up to 15 years for helping protesters, 30 September). But, with the defendants’ credible allegations of torture and intimidation and after dodgy trials by a special security court, to describe 15-year sentences as “disproportionate” is a gross understatement.

The regime’s abuse of the legal system shows the insincerity of its commitment to reconciliation. Until there is real justice for all Bahrainis there is little hope for peace and stability.

The time for diplomatic expressions of disapproval is over. Bahrain’s friends need to make it clear that unless its leadership is prepared to respect the rights of all of its citizens then sanctions must follow.
Ann Clwyd MP
Chair, parliamentary human rights group
…source

Human Rights in Bahrain – Rhetoric and reality
06 Oct 2011 0 Index on Censorship

Protest for release of release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja International outcry over the sentencing of 20 medics, who treated injured protesters, in Bahrain has led to the announcement of their retrial. Front Line Defenders’ Mary Lawlor explores the stories of others imprisoned in similar circumstances

Following the international outcry over the sentencing of 20 medical professionals to sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years the Attorney General of Bahrain has announced that the doctors will now have a new trial before a civilian court. Front Line Defenders welcomes this positive news while treating it with due caution given the failure of the Bahraini Government to honour previous commitments.

This announcement does nothing to address the fact that human rights defenders, political activists, health professionals and trade unionists have been subjected to summary justice, arrested on trumped up charges, held incommunicado, tortured and denied access to their lawyers and families. To date 208 people have been sentenced to nearly 2500 years in prison — while one person has been sentenced to death.

The courts have refused to address any of these issues and while welcoming this recent announcement we must measure the credibility of that promise against the standard of past practice.

Ali Abdulemam was one of 23 political activists and human rights defenders arrested on 23 October 2010 – 4 months before the recent demonstrations. He is the founder of bahrainonline.org, one of the few independent media sources in the kingdom.

Ali subsequently described his treatment in detention:

“I was subjected to torture, beatings, insults and verbal abuse. They threatened to dismiss my wife and other family members from their jobs. I was interrogated without a lawyer, and the officer there who appeared to be from the National Security dismissed my denials to the allegations.”

Ali Abdulemam is currently in hiding after being sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in absentia. None of the issues raised by his trial and treatment in custody have been addressed.

On 9 April 2011, human rights defender Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was arrested during a raid on the home of his daughter in the middle of the night and beaten so badly that he required a four hour operation. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a former Protection Coordinator for the Middle East region for Front Line Defenders and former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR). Despite being a civilian, he and 20 other defendants were tried before a military court where they were not allowed to present or question witnesses. On 27 September, the life sentence imposed by the military court on him was upheld on appeal.

The authorities then targeted doctors and nurses who treated injured protestors after the break up of the demonstration at the Pearl Roundabout. After a series of armed and violent raids on the homes of medical personnel, the authorities initiated a series of show trials before a military court. The charges were based on confessions made by doctors while being tortured, and they were forced to sign papers without reading them. …more

Congress gears up to fight arms sales to Bahrain
By Josh Rogin – October 5, 2011 – Foreign Policy

Congress and the NGO community are gearing up to fight the Obama administration’s plan to sell $53 million worth of weapons to Bahrain, which is proceeding on schedule despite that country’s crackdown on protesters.

The State Department argued in its Sept. 14 notification to Congress that the proposed sale will contribute to U.S. national security “by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”

The administration is planning to sell Bahrain 44 armored, high-mobility Humvees and over 300 advanced missiles, 50 of which are bunker-buster missiles similar to those sold secretly to Israel in 2009.

“Bahrain will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense,” the notification reads.

But the government of Bahrain, led by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been engaged in a months-long struggle with a predominantly Shiite protest movement. Opposition groups claim that 30 protesters have been killed by the government and more than 1,000 have been arrested. The government also called in a Saudi-led force in March that included dozens of tanks to bolster their position, effectively putting the country on lockdown.

Independent organizations such as Human Rights Watch have reported that the Bahrain government has used brutal tactics, including using masked thugs to sweep up lawyers and other activists in nighttime raids. Today, the government announced new trials for 20 medics whose long jail sentences provoked outrage in the international community.

“In Bahrain, steps have been taken toward reform and accountability, but more are required,”
President Obama said in his Sept. 21 speech at the U.N. “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.”

The Obama administration has several interests in Bahrain, the fact that the U.S. Fifth Fleet is stationed there being chief among them. Bahrain is also a client state of Saudi Arabia and policymakers have voiced fears that a victory by the protest movement would strengthen Iranian influence in the country.

Regardless, a growing group of lawmakers and non-governmental organizations are gearing up to oppose the State Department’s plan to sell weapons to Bahrain. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) are circulating a resolution that would stop the sale from going through.

“Providing arms to a government that is actively committing human rights violations against peaceful protestors is at odds with United States foreign policy goals,” Wyden told The Cable. “We should be promoting democracy and human rights in the region and not rewarding a regime that is jailing and in some cases killing those who choose to peacefully protest their government and anyone who supports them. This resolution will prevent the U.S. from providing the Kingdom of Bahrain with weaponry until they show a real commitment to respecting human rights.” …more

more photos HERE (careful very disturbing)

Related Tweets following the Murder of Ahmed

bahrain tweets – Dear World, in my country you don’t call the police for help, you tweet for help on twitter, cause it’s the police shooting you – 3 hours ago

bahrain tweets – Ppl are still chanting and protesting here in Shakhoura and helicopter trying to spot the protesters n – 1 hour ago

bahrain tweets – Not long before protesters at Abusaiba were shot at, riot police accompanied with armed gov thugs were seen going into the village – 1 hour ago

bahrain tweets – The martyrs[Ahmed’s] brother was pulled away by police and has a minor injured in his hand. After which an officer threatened him – 2 hours ago

bahrain tweets – We’re ok, we’re with family. The family was not allowed in to see the martyr, [Ahmed] when the brother tried to go in, a police attacked him – 2 hours ago

Iron Fist Tactic Suspended – Saudi Forces Pull Back
October 06, 2011 – by PATRICK COCKBURN – Counter Punch

The Saudi security forces are pulling back in troubled parts of the oil-rich country’s Eastern Province to avoid further confrontation with Shia protesters, say human rights activists, but they warn that any small incident might provoke fresh clashes.

Saudi police and soldiers had previously been besieging the Shia town of al-Awamiyah which was the scene of shooting and riots earlier in the week. The Saudi Interior Ministry had accused protesters of carrying arms and throwing Molotov cocktails from motorcycles which they used to circumvent police checkpoints. It also alleged that they were directed by an unnamed foreign country – which in Saudi official terminology invariably means Iran.

Hamza al-Hassan, an opponent of the Saudi regime who comes from Safwa town in Eastern province, said yesterday that “so far as I know the security presence in al-Awamiyah was reduced dramatically last night”. Since Sunday there have been clashes around the police station at the centre of al-Awamiyah, a Shia town, sparked off by the arrest of the 60-year-old father of one activist wanted by the police. Video shows at last one police car on fire and young men with their headdresses wrapped round their heads to hide their identity.

Mr Hassan said that the extreme language of the Interior Ministry statement in Tuesday admitting to the riots and announcing that the state would use “the iron fist” against protesters had gone down badly in Saudi Arabia and created a backlash. He believes that the statement “was likely to inflame the situation by accusing all Shia of being Iranian puppets”.

There are an estimated two million Shia in Saudi Arabia, or about 10 per cent of the 23 million population, who have always been victims of discrimination so wide-ranging that it resembles apartheid against blacks in South Africa. Shia are denied access to top jobs in all walks of life and even prevented from becoming head teachers at schools teaching Shia children. Wahabite clerics, representing the predominant fundamentalist and puritan variant of Islam predominant in the Kingdom, denounce Shia as heretics. Shia festivals are often banned and the giving of distinctively Shia names to children is discouraged. In the oil city of Dammam there is reportedly only one Shia mosque for 150,000 Shia.

Mr Hassan said that the most important Shia cleric in al-Awamiyah, Nimr al-Nimr, had sought to calm things down yesterday by giving a sermon, telling young men “we will fight with words not arms”. But at the same time Mr Hassan warned that “any small situation might inflame the [wider] situation again”.

The spread of the Arab Awakening to the Shia minority of Saudi Arabia is important because they are concentrated in the region which hold the world’s largest oil reserves. One Saudi human rights organiser points out that the pipeline carrying six million barrels a day of crude to the oil terminal at Ras Tanura passes through al-Awamiyah where there have been clashes for the past four days.

Patrick Cockburn is the author of Muqtada: Muqtada Al-Sadr, the Shia Revival, and the Struggle for Iraq. …source

Bahrain jails more Shiite opposition
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 – DUBAI – Hurriyet Daily News

Bahrain on Tuesday sentenced 14 members of a Shi’ite opposition party, including its chairman, to up to 10 years in jail for calling for forcible regime change during Shi’ite-led pro-democracy protests this year, state news agency BNA said.

In two separate cases, nine Shi’ites were sentenced to 15 years in prison and four to 10 years for allegedly kidnapping two policemen, by the National Safety Court, set up specially by the Sunni-ruled kingdom after Shiite-led pro-reform protests were crushed in March.

The nine had used “force against [the policemen] and threatened him with serious harm,” said the prosecutor, Colonel Yusof Fleifal, as quoted by the official BNA news agency.

The verdicts handed out by a military court are the latest in a series of lengthy sentences imposed since June on opposition figures and protesters involved in an uprising in February and March for reforms in the Sunni-ruled monarchy. Bahrain quashed the protests in March, helped by troops from its Sunni neighbors Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Six members of Bahrain’s Islamic Action Society, or Amal, six members received 10-year jail terms and eight were given five-year terms after being convicted of organizing illegal protests, broadcasting false news and rumors, and transmitting pictures abroad which harmed Bahrain’s reputation, BNA said. Nine members of the Shi’ite group were acquitted. Amal chairman Sheikh Mohammed al-Mahfoodh, who was arrested with other party members in May, was tortured and held in solitary confinement for 45 days, his daughter said.

In April, the government said it would dissolve Amal and the main Shi’ite opposition group Wefaq, but held off after public criticism from the United States. The verdicts were issued a day after 36 other Shiites were jailed up to 25 years in cases related to the month-long protest which was quashed in mid-March and followed by a wave of arrests of Shiites.

Bahrain on Tuesday sentenced 14 members of a Shi’ite opposition party, including its chairman, to up to 10 years in jail for calling for forcible regime change during Shi’ite-led pro-democracy protests this year, state news agency BNA said. Bahrain has now handed down prison sentences to almost 80 opposition members.

In two separate cases, nine Shi’ites were sentenced to 15 years in prison and four to 10 years for allegedly kidnapping two policemen, by the National Safety Court, set up specially by the Sunni-ruled kingdom after Shiite-led pro-reform protests were crushed in March.

The nine had used “force against [the policemen] and threatened him with serious harm,” said the prosecutor, Colonel Yusof Fleifal, as quoted by the official BNA news agency. The verdicts handed out by a military court are the latest in a series of lengthy sentences imposed since June on opposition figures and protesters involved in an uprising in February and March for reforms in the Sunni-ruled monarchy. Bahrain quashed the protests in March, helped by troops from its Sunni neighbors Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Six members of Bahrain’s Islamic Action Society, or Amal, six members received 10-year jail terms and eight were given five-year terms after being convicted of organizing illegal protests, broadcasting false news and rumors, and transmitting pictures abroad which harmed Bahrain’s reputation, BNA said. Nine members of the Shi’ite group were acquitted. Amal chairman Sheikh Mohammed al-Mahfoodh, who was arrested with other party members in May, was tortured and held in solitary confinement for 45 days, his daughter said.

In April, the government said it would dissolve Amal and the main Shi’ite opposition group Wefaq, but held off after public criticism from the U.S. The verdicts were issued a day after 36 other Shiites were jailed up to 25 years in cases related to the month-long protest.

Compiled from AFP and Reuters stories by the Daily News staff. …source

Congressional Members Oppose US-Bahrain Arms Sale
POMED Wired – 06 Oct. 2011

Josh Rogin writes that “a growing group of lawmakers and non-governmental organizations are gearing up to oppose the State Department’s” proposed $53 million arms sale to Bahrain, and that “Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) are circulating a resolution that would stop the sale from going through.” Senator Wyden told Rogin that ”providing arms to a government that is actively committing human rights violations against peaceful protestors is at odds with United States foreign policy goals,” adding that ”we should be promoting democracy and human rights in the region and not rewarding a regime that is jailing and in some cases killing those who choose to peacefully protest their government and anyone who supports them.” Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also expressed reticence about the proposed arms sale.

Cole Bockenfeld, the Director of Advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy, attests that “failure to [re-energise diplomatic efforts toward Bahrain] risks an escalation of violence that could endanger the relationship both parties hold dear.” Bockenfeld suggests that the Obama Administration can assist the reconciliation process by encouraging the withdrawal of GCC forces from Bahrain and expediting the confirmation and deployment of Ambassador-designate Thomas Krajeski. Bockenfeld concludes that “the U.S. Administration and the Bahraini government have a responsibility to act and deliver meaningful reform and accountability, or risk the very scenario both wish to avoid.” …source

The U.S. approved to grant 400 M1A1 Abrams to Greece
October 3, 2011 – Army

According to information of the “Hellenic Defence & Technology” magazine, the U.S. authorities approved to grant 400 M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Greek Army, which will include options between simple refurbishment – worth tens of millions dollars for all the tanks- and upgrading to a higher level of operational capability, with a higher corresponding cost. The relative Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) is expected soon.

Also according to exclusive information of the ‘Hellenic Defence & Technology’ magazine, a Price and Availability letter was sent to U.S. authorities regarding 20 AAV7A1 and a low cost upgrade program for them. This is the first step to cover an operational requirement for 75-100 vehicles.

Additional exclusive details on these requirements as well as for Bradley IFVs, in a forthcoming issue of the ‘Hellenic Defence & Technology’ magazine. …source

Sign Petition HERE

Daughter of jailed Bahrain opposition leader speaks about his torture whilst in detention
2011/10/06 – by bahrainjdm

A Bahrain military court today jailed Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-Mahfoodh, Chairman of the opposition Amal Party, for 10 years.

Daughter of jailed Bahrain opposition leader speaks about his torture whilst in detention(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – A Bahrain military court today jailed Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-Mahfoodh, Chairman of the opposition Amal Party, for 10 years.

His daughter Hajar says whilst in detention he was tortured so badly she could barely recognize her own Father. She affirms there is no tangible evidence against him and his case is clear political persecution.

Another 13 members of the party received sentences of between 5 and 10 years at the same hearing.

Sheikh Mohammed Ali was first arrested on 2nd May 2011 but according to Hajar the Security Services had been trying to arrest him since one month before.

Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-mahfoodh
“They broke into my home four times and told me it’s either your husband or your daddy”. On April 2nd police arrested her husband in what she says was a ‘hostage situation’ to secure the arrest of Sheikh Mohammed Ali. In the same incident items were stolen from her home and she says she feared leaving the house in case they returned.

One month later when police finally caught up with Sheikh Mohammed Ali, they also arrested two of Hajar’s brothers at the same time.

By the end of May both brothers and the husband had been released but there was no word about Sheikh Mohammed Ali until the family received a call to say they could visit.

“I felt the man I met wasn’t my daddy. He couldn’t focus, his voice was different and he looked like a different man”. Hajar describes her visit to see her father in prison. “It was only later when I found out he had been tortured using electricity that I understood why he was in this state”.

A few days after the visit Sheikh Mohammed Ali’s first hearing began. The family was allowed to meet him for a few brief minutes after the hearing began and in this time he detailed his ordeal.

“He did not want to give full details, because he was worried about upsetting me, but he told me they wanted to kill him”. He told his daughter that he had been in solitary confinement for 45 days and given no food or water for the first 15 days, twice being admitted to hospital.

“They used mostly electricity and whipping to torture him and he is sure all those investigating were of Jordanian nationality”.

Since that first hearing Sheikh Mohammed Ali has faced a new hearing every 2 weeks until his sentencing today.

Hajar says from a legal point of view, as the defense lawyers pointed out, the trial is biased to say the least. “The defendants do not meet the lawyers regularly and the accused are not allowed to speak for themselves. She also says no tangible evidence of guilt has been offered according to the defense lawyers.

Sheikh Mohammed has been accused of trying to damage the image of Bahrain at an international level. There are 3 main prosecution witnesses, all claiming that he confessed his crime during detention. Something she categorically denies.

On the other hand there are “26 defense witnesses who all prove that there was no wrong doing on the part of the accused”. But in Bahrain the truth counts for nothing.”

Hajar says she fears for the future of Bahrain and thinks that unless real reform happens soon, violence will soon erupt.

“I am a peaceful person and my father is too. All we want is peace and unity in Bahrain. But the situation is getting worse and these military trials are pushing the country to the edge of breaking.”

Notes:
1- All raids happened without any permission from the prosecution.
2- We hope that the human rights organizations interfere in the case of Amal because it is a crime against freedom of speech and freedom of thought, both of which are global human rights according to the decent and creditable constitutions.
3- The detainees did not have the rights to speak during trials.
4- All false confessions have been taken under severe torture. The detainees are forced to confess under torture.
…source