Posts from — January 2012

HM King Hamad Receives Letter from UK Premier
BNA – 26 January, 2012

Manama, Jan. 25. (BNA) – His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today received a letter from the UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

In the letter, Cameron lauded the fruitful results of HM the King’s visit to the UK in December, 2011 and its positive impact on the solid historical Bahraini-UK ties. David Cameron also hailed the steps taken by the kingdom recently to address the repercussions of last year’s incidents, citing the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), and commitment to implement the recommendations featuring in its final report, with the support of international legal, security and human rights experts.

He also praised the kingdom’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Red Cross, which he considered as a “positive” move that will consolidate the kingdom’s reform march, expressing his country’s keenness to back the steps taken so as to ensure the country continuous stability and prosperity.

The UK Premier expressed hope that he will visit the Kingdom, following HM the King’s invitation, wishing that bilateral political and economic cooperation will grow further in 2012. …source

Anti-Discrimination Demo in East Saudi Arabia
ANBA – 27 January, 2012

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – Saudis have held a demonstration against the ruling House of Saud in the east of the kingdom.

Protesters in the island of Tarot took to the streets on Wednesday night and chanted “[Crown Prince] Nayef, you are responsible for the killing of protesters,” denouncing the regime’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy rallies.

The demonstrators also demanded the release of thousands of political prisoners, whom the ultraconservative kingdom is holding without charge or trial.

The Saudi regime has recently stepped up its crackdown on the protesters, killing several and wounding many more of them.

On Tuesday, Saudi security forces opened fire on demonstrators in the Qatif region of Eastern Province, injuring many people.

Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition. Nine protesters were also arrested during the attack.

On January 12, regime forces killed 22-year-old protester, Essam Mohamed Abu Abdellah, and wounded three others in Awamiyah.

Saudi Arabia’s east has been the scene of anti-government protests over the past months, with demonstrators demanding respect for human rights, implementation of reforms, realization of freedom of expression, and release of political prisoners.

Anti-government protesters in the kingdom also want an end to economic and religious discrimination and the termination of the government’s March 2011-present involvement in brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests in neighboring Bahrain.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, has warned the kingdom against continuing the brutal crackdown in Eastern Province. …source

Bahrain bars human rights groups as unrest escalates
27 January, 2012 – by Sara Yasin – XIndex

When Index on Censorship visited Bahrain on a fact finding mission late last year, officials repeatedly pledged to maintain a transparent relationship with the international community. Now that undertaking seems just another broken promise. Three international rights organisations have been denied entry this year.

The fact-finding mission investigated the state of free expression in Bahrain. We detailed our findings in a report released this week. In meetings with officials from the Ministry of Human Rights, the mission was promised that as long as the correct procedures were followed, we (and other organisations) would be allowed to enter Bahrain.

Earlier this month Bahrain refused to grant the visas to staff from Physicians for Human Rights and Human Rights First, asking that they delay until March. Despite having visas and a scheduled meeting with the US Embassy, a delegation from Freedom House was barred from entering the country on 19 January, only days before they planned to travel. Authorities asked that the organisation delay their trip until the end of February.

“I was very disappointed that I was unable to go”, Freedom House’s Courtney Radsch told Index. According to Freedom House, the mission’s was not related to political unrest in the county but part of a programme monitoring the empowerment of rural women started in 2010. Radsch said that the decision showed the “complete hypocrisy” of officials. In a blog post, Radsch quoted King Hamad assuring the international community that they would have any open door, saying ”any government which has a sincere desire for reform and progress understands the benefit of objective and constructive criticism.”

A violent crackdown on daily protests continues, and despite the BICI committee’s recommendation that prisoners be released or employees be reinstated, many Bahrainis have been unable to resume their daily lives. Even the chair of the BICI commission, Cherif Bassiouni, who previously commended the King for commissioning the report, said that critics would be justified in calling Bahrain’s sluggish implementation of their recommendations a “whitewash“.

Meanwhile, members of the opposition are growing restless, and this week things took a bloody turn. Violence escalated between protesters and security forces Wednesday, as some younger opposition members attacked police officers. Wednesday’s violence reportedly resulted in four deaths, including that of Mohamed Yacqoub, 18. While human rights activists Index spoke to were insistent on peaceful protest methods, they warned of things taking a more violent turn if brutality against peaceful protesters were to continue after the release of the BICI report. …source

Police join Pro-government Vigilante Attacks on Opposition Protesters, Following Bizarre Orwellian like Pro-government Protest Against US-UK involvment in

In bizarre display of Pro-Regime support, a small group of Bahraini citizens demonstrate, seemly oblivious that US and UK have intervened at the ruling Al Khalifa Regimes request with Top-Cop Trainers, Political, Security and Public Relations Consultants. All the while, the US State Department runs interference for King Hamad’s misdeeds and Human Rights abuse against the majority of the countries citizens who are demanding democratic rule.

News of more deaths in Bahrain.

The total of deaths in January has now reached 9, making it the highest number in one month since March 2011. The situation in Bahrain is rapidly deteriorating as we reach the one year anniversary of the beginning of the protests on February 14th, 2011.

1 – *Saeed Ali Al-Sukari* (65) , from Aali, death announced early morning on the 25th, family says it’s due to excessive tear gas that was thrown in the area the night before.

2- *Abbas Jaffar AlShaikh* (26) from Daih, death announced at Salmanyia hospital due to cancer. Abbas is a protester who was injured many times since Feb 14, 2011, including injuries caused by birdshots. Speculations are that because he was increasingly subjected to teargas, that may have sped up the cancer. BHRS has stated that Abbas Jaffar Al.Shaikh after being shot in his back with sound bomb from a close distance caused him blood clotting. Picture HERE He was admitted to hospital on 27 Dec 2011. Some background about him HERE

For the first two cases, because of the difficulty of verifying the cause of death, the BCHR demands an independent forensic examination of the deceased.

3- *Muntadher Saeed Fakhar *(37), from Sanabis, Photo: HERE died under torture in Hoora police station within 24 hours from time of arrest. A witness has told BCHR that the police hit the car of Muntadhar, after which they beat him in the street near Jidhafs graveyard at around 1am , Jan 25 then arrested him. They also confiscated his car. BCHR has confirmed the marks of beating on the body of the victim before his burial – This Photo HERE shows what looks like marks of a shoe on the head of the victim, other photos HERE and HERE and a photo showing Muntadhar bleeding and handcuffed while sitting in police car at time of arrest HERE .

4- *Mohamed Ebrahim Yaqoob* (19) from Sitra , Photo HERE , was a victim of run over attempt by police in the afternoon- video HERE then was arrested, few hours later the ministry of interior announced his death over twitter without giving details of cause of death. HERE His Uncle has told BCHR that a police officer told them Mohamed had sickle cell, when the uncle replied that they have a video which proves the run over attempt the officer threatened him with accusation of illegal gathering. Lawyer Zahra Masood said today that the public prosecution refused to assign an independent forensic doctor to examine the body of the deceased. They also refused to allow the lawyer to examine the body.

Two funerals were held today in Noaim and Daih for three of the listed above , both were attacked with tear gas [noaim] HERE , the house of Abbas AlShaikh was also attacked after the funeral HERE .

Confirmed undisclosed Source

Bahrain confirms teen died in police custody
26 January, 2012 – AlJazeera

Bahrain authorities say a detainee has died after being taken into custody during clashes between security forces and protesters.

The government on Thursday issued a statement saying that public prosecutors are investigating the death.

The brief statement gave no further details on the death, but said the detainee was hospitalised and accused of “vandalism” during widespread demonstrations on Wednesday.

“He died in hospital and the public prosecution has been notified,” it said.

Leading opposition figure Matar Matar told the AFP news agency that Mohammed Yaaqub, 18, was chased by police vehicles and that his body “was stuck between two [police] cars that were following him”.

“Instead of receiving the necessary medical treatment, the police took him to the yard opposite Sitra police station where he was tortured,” said Matar, a former MP.

The interior ministry said 41 officers were injured in “orchestrated attacks on police” on Tuesday, as tensions rise almost a year after the eruption of Shia-led democracy protests that were crushed last March.

Ebahim told the Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper that, “the new policy is trying to minimise torture inside prisons, but the alternative is that they torture in other places, such as construction sites”. …source

Monday Offers Bahrain Regime Chance to Free Targeted Medics
26 January, 2012 – Human Rights First

Washington, DC –The group of 20 Bahraini medics convicted by the dictatorship’s military court in September have had their next appeal hearing date suddenly moved-up to Monday, Jan. 30. This hearing gives the Bahrain regime a golden opportunity to show the world it is serious about human rights reform, said Human Rights First.

The regime targeted the medics for their treatment of pro-democracy protestors in February and March of 2011 and for telling the international media the truth about attacks on the demonstrators. They were informed earlier this week that their next appeal hearing, initially scheduled for March 19, would instead take place to Jan 30.

One of those detained and tortured into making a false confession is Dr. Nada Dhaif. She was sentenced to 15 years by the military court in a trial that fell well below recognizable legal standards. She told Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley, “We were totally surprised when they brought the hearing forward. I think this was done so that no international observers would be there to witness the sham trial – they’ve been shut out until March. It’s hard to know what will happen and, with all the disappointments we’ve had this last year, it’s hard to be optimistic. But we’ll keep on struggling and praying.”

February promises to be a vitally important month for the regime. The anniversary of Bahrain’s Arab Spring falls on the 14th and major protests are expected around that time.

Last week, Dooley was denied entry to Bahrain. He notes, “The fear is that the Bahraini government wants to keep observers out during this sensitive period. The dictatorship has some serious decisions to make – will it react with widespread violence like last year or will it show the world it has changed by allowing peaceful protests? Dropping the charges against the doctors would be a useful first step in showing it’s not going to be the same old repression as usual.”

Dooley also noted that Human Rights First is calling on the Bahraini government to immediately launch an investigation into who tortured the medics while they were in custody.

In recent weeks protestors have been attacked the police using tear gas, resulting in several deaths. There have also been fresh reports of torture in custody. The Bahrain regime admitted today that another man has died in custody in recent days. It did not elaborate or give further details about that incident.

“A month from now, we’ll know if the Bahrain regime’s claims to have changed are real or bogus,” concluded Dooley. “Monday is a key indicator. If the medics aren’t freed and the charges dropped the world can expect the violent crackdown to continue.” …source

Court rules Bahrain king’s emergency call was legal
Agence France-Presse – 25 January, 2012 – The National

A Bahraini court yesterday ruled that the king acted lawfully when he declared a quasi state of emergency in March ahead of a crackdown on Shiite-led protests.

The constitutional court “rejected the appeal into the constitutionality” of the state of National Safety, the state news agency reported.

National Safety is the first of two categories of exceptional measures that the king can resort to in times of emergency. The second is a full state of Martial Law.

An independent commission that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had tasked with investigating the crackdown on a month-long protest in mid-March had recommended that the constitutional court review the royal declaration of a three-month state of National Safety.

The commission found 35 people were killed in the purge on protests, including five security personnel and five detainees who were tortured to death in custody. Hundreds more were hurt.

The defence teams of scores of the predominantly Shiite defendants who appeared before the National Safety Court had questioned the legality of the royal decree.

“This decree violated the laws of Bahrain. Many laws were suspended due to the decree,” said Matar Matar, a leading figure in Al Wefaq, the main Shiite opposition group.

Tensions have remained high in Bahrain since the crackdown last spring.

Sporadic violence has risen in recent weeks as the first anniversary approaches of the launch of the protests against the government. On Tuesday, Bahraini police dispersed anti-government protesters who blocked roads in several villages, a government statement said yesterday.

The public security chief, Major General Tariq Al Hassan, said that “vandals blocked roads” and threw petrol bombs during clashes on Tuesday night.

Gen Al Hassan added that security forces made “several arrests” in Shiite villages, but did not give the exact location of the clashes or if there were any injuries.

On Monday, the US said it was relocating embassy staff and their families to new neighbourhoods in Manama as part of safety precautions amid anti-government unrest.

Bahrain’s Shiite community, a majority in the kingdom ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty, has complained of marginalisation. …source

World Report 2012 – Bahrain
Events of 2011 – Human Rights Watch

In mid-February Bahraini authorities used lethal force to suppress peaceful anti-government and pro-democracy protests, killing seven and wounding many more.

The crackdown resumed in mid-March, after troops from Saudi Arabia entered Bahrain and Bahraini military and security forces launched a systematic campaign of retribution, arresting thousands of demonstrators or individuals who supported the protests. Authorities fired hundreds of public sector employees suspected of supporting the protests, as did large private firms in which the state had a substantial stake.

Security forces’ use of birdshot pellets, rubber bullets, and tear gas as well as live ammunition caused most of the deaths and injuries of protesters and bystanders. Attacks against protesters continued after authorities formally lifted the “state of national safety” on June 1. At this writing more than 40 persons had been killed in connection with suppression of protests, including four who died in custody in April from torture or medical neglect, and several members of security forces.

Right to Assembly

During the early morning hours of February 17, security forces attacked peaceful demonstrators at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, the capital. Many were sleeping. The assault left four protesters dead and hundreds injured. On February 18, security forces and the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) fired live ammunition and rubber bullets at peaceful protesters marching towards the Pearl Roundabout – then occupied by BDF tanks, armored vehicles and police units – mortally wounding Abd al-Ridha Bu Hameed.

On February 19, authorities ordered security and military forces to withdraw and protesters reoccupied the Pearl Roundabout. For four weeks protesters gathered at the roundabout and other areas to voice opposition to the government and ruling Al Khalifa family. Crown Prince Salma bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appeared on national television and guaranteed that protesters would be free to demonstrate at the Pearl Roundabout without facing arrest or attack by government forces.

On March 16 – a day after King Hamad declared a “state of national safety,” akin to a state of emergency – security and military forces forcibly cleared the Pearl Roundabout, the center of anti-government protests. The same day, forces dispersed protesters in villages outside Manama and surrounded the Salmaniya Medical Complex, the country’s largest public hospital, preventing patients and medical staff from entering or leaving the hospital. At least six people were killed during clashes on March 16, including two police officers.
[Read more →]

Bahrain police fire tear gas at rally
25 January, 2012 – Associated Press

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Security forces in Bahrain have fired tear gas and stun grenade after opposition groups staged a rare march into the center of the capital Manama.

Police set up checkpoints and many shops were closed after the Wednesday unrest. Clashes occur almost daily in the island kingdom, but mostly in areas outside the Manama’s business districts.

Bahrain’s majority Shiites began protests nearly a year ago to seek greater rights from the ruling Sunni monarchy.

A government statement also said at least 41 policemen were injured in clashes with demonstrators that took place elsewhere on Tuesday. One policeman has severe burns from a petrol bomb. …source

Bahrainis seek freedom and justice, says Lamees Dhaif
WSN – by Lameses Dhaif – 23 January, 2012

Bahrain, a country that feels the world forsake it and ignores its struggle as compared with the rest of the revolutions.

The people of Bahrain are peaceful people living at the mercy of a repressive, corrupt authority. We are the only oil country where more than half of its people live in need, not because we do not have the resources – but because the corruption here created two categories of people – extreme wealth and extreme poor.

The indigenous people of Bahrain lived here before the arrival of the royal family. These – the original inhabitants – suffered more than others of oppression, discrimination and marginalization.

Recently these people revolted demanding conditions which are more just and democratic.

They also requested to change the prime minister, who has governed the country for four decades. During these years he looted so many of the countries resources for himself and his family.

Instead of listening to these demands, the regime suppressed villages and the regions that participated in the protests. Thousands of people were arrested, starved and injured. Lots of martyrs fell, most of them below the age of 16 years.

The peaceful demands were met with repression and abuse not only rejection.

However, the people are determined to continue their struggle to regain their legitimate rights.

The role of women

Women participated alongside men in these protests and were in the front lines. They were not afraid of the bullets and the military.

The martyr Bahia Al-Aradi, was one of the first to be killed in the confrontations. She had remained steadfast and was standing even when the men began to retreat after attacks from the military.

The women were subjected to the worst types of torture and were deployed from work and their reputation and chastity were trashed. This increased their determination to contribute to positive change.

Democracy is what Bahrain wants

When it comes to democracy, we believe that this form of tribal rule has failed. The existence of one family that controls the country and the destiny of its people has become a thing of the past. The era of absolute monarchies has ended since the Middle Ages.

The people of Bahrain are educated and they deserve a democratic government that respects and honors its will. Freedom and justice is all we want .. Is it too much to ask?

(Lamees Dhaif is a Journalist and human rights activist from Bahrain, she shares her views on Bahrain with www.wespeaknews.com via email)
…source

STL defense to answer questions on Twitter
24 January, 2012 – The Daily Star – Mohammad Azakir

BEIRUT: The head of the Defence Office at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will be answering questions on Twitter from members of the public from 3 to 5 p.m. Beirut time Tuesday.

Francois Roux will answer questions related to the Defense Office, whose principal duty is to protect the rights of the accused.

In late June, the STL indicted four members of Hezbollah in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. Hezbollah denies involvement.
…source

Bahrain police under attack after Shia cleric’s call
25 January, 2012 – BCC

Violence has flared up in Bahrain in the wake of a leading Shia cleric’s call on Friday to “crush” police.

At least one person was reportedly killed and dozens were injured as protesters attacked security forces in Shia villages outside the capital.

Demonstrators from the Shia majority have faced a crackdown in the past year, as the Sunni monarchy attempts to cope with their demands for reform.

Sheikh Isa Qassim said: “Whoever you see abusing a woman, crush him.”

The sermon by the previously moderate cleric was taken as a call to arms by angry young Shia.

In a fiery harangue, a video of which has been seen by the BBC, Sheikh Qassim said: “Let us die for our honour.” …more

“How do those who do this to people expect the people to remain silent and not defend their rights and honour?” he asked.

Police routed

Video footage made available to the BBC show security forces being routed by Shia activists hurling stones and petrol bombs in the village of Sitra near the capital Manama over the weekend.
Protesters clashing with police officer Shia anger is turning increasingly violent

Sitra has been a focus of tension in the struggle between Shia protesters and the government of King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa.

Two pictures from another Shia village, Diraz, show a security officer lying wounded on the pavement after being beaten by rioters on Tuesday.

Others show protesters in balaclavas and white martyrdom robes in a stand-off with police in Budaiya, just outside Manama.

The ministry of interior later released a statement saying that 41 security officers had been injured, two of them critically.

Activists meanwhile said at least one protester had died as a result of police violence. …more

Bahrain Analysis: Navigating a Rising Tide of Violence
24 January, 2012 – EA World News – by Marc Owen Jones

In his Friday sermon three days ago, Bahrain’s most senior Shi’a cleric Isa Qassim sent a strong message out to the state security services, saying, “Whoever you see abusing women, you must crush them.” Unsurprisingly, such words caused considerable anxiety in Bahrain, where tensions and violence seem to have escalated sharply since the beginning of the year. On Sunday, in what is one of the more powerful videos to emerge from Bahrain in the past year, residents of al-Eker videoed themselves chasing away riot police with Molotov cocktails, sticks and stones. Protesters have claimed that this was in retaliation to this incident, in which women appear to be struck and manhandled by riot officers after becoming involved over a man’s arrest.

With Qassim’s endorsement of violence in the defense of women comes the anxiety that Bahrain’s largest political opposition society al-Wefaq are taking on an increasingly hardline stance. It would, however, be inaccurate to suggest Qassim’s words reflect the will of the party itself. On the contrary, several months ago the opposition coalition (which includes al-Wefaq) used the post-BICI [Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry] period of relative goodwill to affect some sort of rapprochement, and denounced the use of roadblocks and pouring oil on the road.

To clarify al-Wefaq’s stance, Ali Salman outlined when it was acceptable to use violence, and stipulates clearly that it should only be used as a form of self defence in situations where the attack has clearly been established or when violations of property have occurred. He also added that protests should be peaceful, and that if this peacefulness was met with violence, then it is only fair to defend oneself. Despite Ali Salman’s clarification, Qassim’s words may have swayed those still deliberating whether or not violence is a legitimate defensive strategy to counter continued state repression. Such rhetoric concerning the defence of women will not only resonate strongly within an Islamic context, but also amongst many men themselves, who see violence against women as an affront to masculinity and pride.

Regardless of Qassim’s words, this escalation in violence seems to have been particularly notable over the last months, and a number of videos have surfaced that show residents of Bahrain’s villages resorting to increasingly extreme tactics to combat the presence of the riot police.

While violence towards the state security apparatus is not new, the uprising that began on 14 February 2011 was a largely peaceful movement, and generally rejected the violence that was more commonplace in the 1990s. However, continued government reluctance to affect meaningful change and provide space for legitimate political opposition is inevitably leading to increased radicalisation amongst Bahrain’s youth. Recent events would suggest that the violence is becoming less sporadic, more organised, and more widespread, as these videos show.

– Al-Daih. 22nd December. Unknown persons throw some sort of incendiary device off a roof, setting a policeman’s foot on fire. (This one particularly looks like it could have been a lot worse).

– Sitra. 23rd December. Protesters throw Molotovs and stones at passing police jeeps.

– Nabi Saleh. 24th December. Protesters throw Molotovs and iron rods at police, managing to set fire to a policeman’s leg

– Nuwaidrat. 30th December. Protesters wearing white smocks launch a co-ordinated attack on riot police

– Al Dair. 20th January. Protesters throw Molotovs and stones and riot police.

– A’ali. around 20th January. Protesters throw molotovs at the police.

-Uniformed protesters in Diraz march in a well-drilled and regimented fashion. They appear to be holding flags with Feb 14th Youth imagery….Similar to the previous video, this one shows youth in North Sehla marching in a regimented fashion, also holding flags that bearing Feb14th Youth imagery. A markedly similar procession is held in Sitra. These three videos all concern this idea of “holy defence” which will be discussed later. ِ

This is not an exhaustive list, but simply an indicator of increased militancy amongst Bahrain’s youth. Although the videos depicting violence speak for themselves, the latter 3 videos documenting the regimented processions are a bit more ambiguous to interpret. If, like their banners suggest, they represent the Feb 14th Youth, does this then challenge the existing conception that they are a “loosely organised” group. Possibly.

In addition to the above videos, a number of alarming discussions have been taking place on one of Bahrain’s popular opposition forums. This short thread focuses on the best way to run over policemen, whilst this one requests the addresses of thugs, “mercenaries” and officers. This use of violence is often justified in the context of “holy defence”.

Indeed, today sees the launch of “BahrainFist”, an operation of “holy defence” whose aim is to send a clear message to the security forces. The operation will not rely on peaceful means, and it seeks to “crush” the “mercenaries” should they decide to park at the entrance to the villages (which they inevitably will). Despite all the aforementioned talk of running over policemen, BahrainFist seems mainly to promote the use of Molotov cocktails, though there is a post on their website linking to this bizarre, marble-firing-gun made by some people in Barbar (though I imagine such weapons are more frightening than they are effective). [Note, the video of the marble-firing gun has since become private — odd. Another two (1,2) clips resemble martyrdom videos, and show men talking about their commitment to the BahrainFist operation.

Although it is not clear who is behind BahrainFist, it would be safe to assume it is a youth-based endeavour. Interestingly, those behind BahrainFist made a point of noting that the Feb 14th Youth endorsed their operation, suggesting that the two are not necessarily linked. BahrainFist also took Isa Qassim’s recent speech as an endorsement of their operation, though this may be a somewhat liberal interpretation of his speech.

While BahrainFist claims it is an operation of holy defence, the line between defence and pre-meditated offence can be somewhat nebulous. Do the riot police simply being parked at the entrances to a village constitute a transgression worthy of violent self defence? I imagine most would tend to disagree, though if the ability to protest peacefully is not provided, then is violent self-defence an inevitability? All valid questions, yet there does seem to be something pre-meditated about today’s operation.

Predictably, Qassim’s words and the advent of BahrainFist are not doing much to pacify loyalists, who have posted videos such as this, which shows them denouncing the likes of Isa Qassim and friends. They state that they will force them back to their original country (Iran) if they don’t stop what they’re doing. Although such threats are decidedly vague, the belief amongst many loyalists that the Government are refusing to enforce laws increases the possibility of vigilantiism. Indeed, thugs seemed to be out in force at the funeral of Yousif Muwali two days ago, and a number of people complained about being attacked. A new video has emerged of thugs and riot police officers beating up a man in Nuwaidrat. This comes a few weeks after thugs were reported to be loading up unmarked cars with molotov cocktails. The previous video also shows a thug throwing a Molotov cocktail with a riot officer doing little more than shooing him away. Let’s not also forget that the police themselves indulge in throwing molotov cocktails.
…more

February 14 Youth Coalition Condemns International Community’s Silence Over State Terror and Hold It Responsible For Any Future
by إئتلاف شباب ثورة 14 فبراير on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9:51pm

The February 14 Youth Coalition condemns international community silence over the countless crimes and violations, which have been committed by the regime in Bahrain and the invading Saudi Arabia forces (under disguise of GCC Peninsula Shield) since the beginning of Bahrain Spring on 14 of February last year.

Clearly, this silence has been interpreted by the regime in Bahrain as an approval to use brutal methods to crush the peaceful revolution and crackdown on political activists. Use of lethal weapons, arbitrary detention, systematic torture (fatal in some cases) by hands of foreign mercenaries, job dismissal and sexual abuses in addition to laying siege on villages, ruining warship places and various sorts of collective punishments have been part of Bahrainis daily life!

Despite ongoing calls from credible human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Human Rights First to take serious action, the international community has remained largely silent. Furthermore, the international community has adapted a double-standard approach by deliberately ignoring the legitimate demand of Bahrain pro-democracy supports for self-determination, while it intervened directly in other Arab countries where people have called for the downfall of their dictatorships.

For the last eleven months, we have repeatedly pleaded for the international community to stand up to its expectations and protect the people of Bahrain from the brutal and illegitimate regime of Al-Khalifa but to no avail. Our people have had enough and it is time for us to assert to our right for self-defense and give up on a community that has proven it acts only when its selfish interests are threatened.

Therefore, we hold the international community fully responsible for any dangerous escalation that might happen in the future. …source

Protester responds in extreme, frustrated by murders of Protesters at peaceful protests and people in their homes with gas attacks

Saudi forces fire on Peaceful Shia protesters in Qatif
25 January, 2012 – JafriaNews

JNN 24 Jan 2012 Qatif : Several Saudi protesters have been injured in an attack by security forces on a demonstration in the Qatif region of the Eastern Province, Press TV reports.

On Tuesday, Saudi security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Qatif that protested against the ruling Al Saud regime.

Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition.

Nine protesters were also arrested during the attack on Tuesday for involvement in anti-regime demonstrations in the region.

Saudi officials accuse the detainees of “shooting members of security forces” in Eastern Province.

On Monday, Saudi security forces detained Zaher al-Zaher, a social activist, in the town of Awamiyah in the Eastern Province.

Regime forces also killed 22-year-old protester Essam Mohamed Abu Abdellah and wounded three others in Awamiyah on January 12.

Since February 2011, Saudi protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in the oil-rich Eastern Province, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protest rallies against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in Eastern Province.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, has warned the kingdom against the brutal crackdown on protesters in Eastern Province and called on the Al Saud regime to stop bloodshed.

Saudi Arabia is a state party to the Arab Charter on Human Rights. Article 24 of the charter states that “every citizen has the right… to freely pursue a political activity [and] to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.” …source

Some Protesters Retaliate Against Police Violence

Several people were wounded as “violence flared up in Bahrain in the wake of a leading Shia cleric’s call to ‘crush’ police.’” In his sermon Sheikh Isa Qassim said, “whoever you see abusing a woman, crush him,” which spurred some youth activists to engage in violence. “How do those who do this to people expect the people to remain silent and not defend their rights and honor?” he asked, referencing the violence that security forces have used against opposition groups. The video (above) shows Shia activists throwing stones and petrol bombs in response to recent attacks on protesters and women. Some sources also said that two policemen kidnapped and assaulted before being released. Public Security chief Major-General Tariq Al Hassan said, “a number of vandals were arrested after they blocked roads in various villages.” Some peaceful protesters expressed concern over the attacks, saying, “no one should come down to that level. It is not right what (the protesters) are doing.”

Meanwhile, security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades when protesters marched into the capital city of Manama. Police set up checkpoints and many shops were closed after the clashes. …source

Bahrain protesters Martyred by toxic gas assaults
25 January, 2012 – Shia Post

Two more anti-government Bahraini protesters have martyred from inhaling toxic tear gas and the other by sound grenade fired by al-Khalifa regime forces.

According to informed sources, Bahraini forces attacked houses in A’ali and al Diyah village by fiering tear gas and severely suppressed innocent civilians.

Today victims namely ’Haj ali al Sakri’ martyred from inhaling toxic tear gas in A’ali village and the other one ’Abbas Ja’afar Sheikh’, 22, by sound grenade from al-Khalifa regime forces, in al-Diyah village.

The number of Bahrain martyrs reached to 63.

Local sources said the demonstrations were held mainly in the village of Ma’ameer, about 15 kilometers (9.5 miles) south of the capital Manama, and the village of Dair, located on the northern coast of the Muharraq Island.

Many were also injured during the attacks, the sources said.

Regime forces also used toxic gas against a protest in the town of Sitra, A’alia and al-Dirah.

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces continue their violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in the country. …source

Human Rights in the Middle East: Why US Voices Matter
by: Sanjeev Bery – 25 January, 2012 – Human RIghts now Amnesty

Five months ago, I joined the team at Amnesty International USA to advocate for human rights across the Middle East and North Africa. Together with my colleagues in our Washington DC office, I work daily to push governments to stand up for core freedoms — or at least, to stop violating them.

From my perch in DC, I’m especially concerned about US foreign policy and how it impacts the lives of those across the Middle East and North Africa. In a number of countries where protestors have been in the streets, the governments that have attacked them received guns, ammunition, and equipment from US sources.

Egypt’s military leadership is one example. Bahrain’s monarchy is another. What this means is that US-based human rights advocates and activists have a very important role to play. What happens in Washington DC and in congressional districts across the country has a significant impact on human rights around the world.

That’s because the people responsible for putting US weapons in the hands of human rights violators pay close attention to what US voters have to say. Where there is silence, the status quo remains. But when concerned US citizens and residents speak up, elected officials notice.

One good example was the US State Department’s decision late last year to delay a proposed $53 million weapons sale to the Bahraini government. Since February of 2011, the Bahraini security forces have shown a willingness to use violence and torture to control and penalize Bahraini protestors.

Bahrain is a tiny island nation that has been ruled by the al Khalifa monarchy for some 200 years. As with so many governments across the Middle East and North Africa, Bahrain’s leaders are now facing increasing scrutiny and protest from the society they have ruled over. And as in so many other countries, the Bahraini government has responded to such protests with violence.

That’s why there was significant protest inside the United States when the Obama Administration proposed selling $53 million in US arms to the Bahrain government in September of 2011. Amnesty International, human rights activists, and even Members of Congress criticized the proposed sale. The Bahraini government had already used tanks to surround a hospital where wounded protestors had been treated. Why was the US government now proposing the sale of additional armored Humvees and tow missiles?

Following public criticism and threats of legislative action, the weapons sale has now been put on hold. That’s why Bahrain’s monarchy invests time in Twitter and pays for US lobbyists like Joe Trippi – the one-time strategist behind Howard Dean’s presidential campaign. They want to do their best to prevent such an outcome from happening again in the future. As human rights violations in Bahrain continue, the Bahraini government wants to limit the resulting political damage in the US.

All of this, however, shows how important domestic US opinion is for securing global human rights. As protestors take to the streets in country after country in the Middle East and North Africa, let’s make sure we in the US are doing our part to stand up for their core human rights. That doesn’t necessarily mean endorsing their every specific demand or political platforms. But it does mean preventing the shipment of US weapons that could be used to kill them.

In the global struggle for human rights, our own policymakers need to hear from us.

International Mission to Bahrain Report says promises for reform unfulfilled, while situation deteriorates
24 January 2012- BCHR

(ANHRI/Index on Censorship/WiPC/IFEX) – 24 January 2012 – Tunis/London – A report from a six-member mission of international organisations to Bahrain last November called out Bahraini authorities for failing to deliver on promises of reform, despite a highly-touted commission of inquiry which made numerous recommendations. Rights violations continue on a daily basis, and people are still jailed on long sentences, including prominent human rights activists jailed for life. Yet the world has not been paying attention to this forgotten country during a year of turmoil in the region.

The report, “Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed”, outlines violations of human rights related to the authorities’ handling of protests and demonstrations in the country since February 2011. The report details meetings with human rights defenders, lawyers, writers, artists, journalists, government officials and foreign diplomats and provides insight into how the government continues to punish and prosecute individuals for expressing their opinions and protesting ongoing repression.

“In the middle of the successive events that occur in the region we must not lose sight of the Bahraini people’s plight. We should deal with what’s happening in Bahrain as a peaceful uprising asking for dignity and human rights, not in the framework of sectarian conflict,” said Mina Mamdouh, Researcher at the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.

With the publication of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report at the end of November (witnessed by the mission) and the deadline of February 2012 for a national commission to make recommendations for reform, expectations have been raised that there will be change in Bahrain. However, as the report indicates and as the mission members witnessed – and continue to monitor –the reality on the ground in Bahrain remains unchanged. Human rights activists, doctors, teachers, union members, political figures, journalists, bloggers and others continue to face harassment, prosecution and imprisonment despite the use of torture and unfair trials against them. Protests continue on an almost daily basis, and the security forces response is virtually unchanged since before the publication of the BICI report.

“It seems that despite the BICI report’s extensive catalogue of abuses against Bahraini citizens including torture, and a clear condemnation of the culture of impunity, the government of Bahrain is intent on maintaining the status quo. We are not seeing the immediate release of prisoners. Instead there is an interminable succession of postponed trials,” said Marian Botsford Fraser, Chair of the Writers in Prison Committee, PEN International.

The 11 recommendations made in the report, “Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed”, include calls to end the harassment, imprisonment and prosecution of Bahraini citizens for what essentially amount to persecution of free expression and legitimate human rights work. In line with the BICI report, which was accepted by the government of Bahrain, the international mission report also insists on accountability for those responsible for violating international human rights norms, in particular those responsible for torture and killing.

The full mission report is online in English at:
bahrainmissionreportjanuary2012final.pdf (634 KB)

The mission team was composed of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Front Line Defenders, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Index on Censorship, International Media Support (IMS) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International, and was supported by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). …source