New Year in Bahrain Different: Systematic Violations Against Human Rights Activists
17 January, 2012 – BYSHR

On January 1, 2012, Mr. Hani Alqmich was injured in the head by teargas canister were fired by the riot police during the assault on a peaceful protest.

Mr.Hani had surgery in the head, but he is still in hospital suffering from injury.

Mr.Hani activist in defending the rights of the unemployed.

On January 1, 2012, Bahraini authorities arrested Mr. Ahmed Abbas (a member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights-BYSHR) and he has been subjected to ill-treatment.

In October and November 2011, the authorities attempted to arrest Mr. Ahmed Abbas, a member of the BYSHR, in relation to the monitoring and documentation of human rights violations in the village of Nuwaidrat. Mr. Ahmed Abbas has since then been forced to remain in hiding to continue his human rights work.

In the evening of January 6, 2012, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights was beaten severely by the security forces in Manama while he was participating in a peaceful demonstration to call for the release of political prisoners and human rights activists. According to testimonies, policemen attacked the demonstrators and a group of police officers gathered suddenly around Mr. Rajab and started beating him. He was kicked, punched and beaten all over his body and especially on the face and back, while lying on the ground.

In the evening of January 12, 2012, Mr. Nader Abdulemam, Human Rights Activist was injured in the face by teargas canister were fired by the riot police during the assault on a peaceful protest.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands to punish the perpetrators and the protection of human rights defenders in Bahrain. …more

Bahrain Today: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
By Badr al-Ibrahim – 17 January, 2012 – Al-Akhbar

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) – also known as the Bassiouni Commission in reference to its chair, Cherif Bassiouni, has been heavily criticized and questions have been raised about its independence given that it was established by Bahraini authorities.

Bassiouni is thought to have violated rules of professional conduct by issuing “political edicts” in the media after his report was released. Such comments violated the investigative mission he was assigned to carry out and undermined his professionalism and objectivity.

Despite all that, Bassiouni caused an uproar when he discredited the Bahraini authorities’ claim that there is a connection between the popular protest movement in Bahrain and Iran.

The Bahraini regime had used this claim to vilify the opposition, protesters, and to justify bringing in the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Peninsula Shield Force. Most importantly, this accusation fostered hostility against the Bahraini revolution in the Gulf region by playing the sectarian card.

Many believed that the Bassiouni Commission report would provide the regime and the opposition with a graceful exit out of the crisis. The commission was established in June to investigate unrest in Bahrain following the popular uprising and government crackdown in February and March. It was thought that the work of the commission – established due to Western and specifically US pressure – would provide a stepping stone for real political dialogue and a compromise that would satisfy everyone.

The US, whose Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, seemed annoyed with the way the Bahraini regime managed the crisis. They wanted to see a solution that would preserve stability in the small Gulf island. But the Bahraini authorities did not offer anything new.

Preoccupied with its military withdrawal from the region, its Afghanistan dilemma, and its economic crisis, the US did not do much either, apart from continuing to treat different countries that are part of the Arab Spring with double standards (For example, it strongly interferes in Syria and shows concern for the situation in Egypt, while it turns a blind eye to what is happening in Yemen and Bahrain).

After the report of the BICI, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa removed the country’s national security chief Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, member of the ruling family, from his position. He was then appointed as Supreme Defense Council secretary-general and as an advisor with the rank of minister.

This step showed that even expectations of using some officials as scapegoats, by holding them responsible for the crimes committed during the uprising, were misplaced.

Instead, the Bahraini regime has raised the ire of its people as it has honored those who violated their rights and killed and tortured them. The continued crackdown and killing of protesters, including children, supports the view that the regime’s hawks have emerged victorious over its doves.

This view stems from the belief that there are differences within the Bahraini regime regarding the best way to handle the protests. …more

Testimony: Military personnel in Bahrain: killed, discharged from service, and awaiting trials
14 January, 2012 – BCHR

Last July, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights documented more than 248 violations affecting personnel in military services within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Department of Defence, the two entities that are headed by members of the Bahraini Royal Family. Until this day those violations are ongoing. Bahraini authorities have killed, arrested, and discharged hundreds of military personnel, many of whom while currently released, are awaiting appeals courts that may send them back to imprisonment. This is a testimony from a military officer, who was arrested previously, describing some of the violations that military personnel have endured.

Below is the speech that was read on 28 December 2011 on behalf of military personnel in a solidarity stand at Al Wefaq National Islamic Society. It was written by Abdullah Abu Idrees, a military officer who was detained for months, and read by the brother of Ali Al Ghanmi, another military officer who is currently detained:

May peace be upon you,

I would like to begin by thanking Al Wefaq National Islamic Society for its stance in solidarity with military personnel. This is a true reflection of its stance towards the rest of society be it civilian or military.

I am not here to speak of an incident that affected me personally as my speech will be on behalf of all the honourable military personnel who refused to stain their hands with the blood of innocents. We are a special layer (of society) and differ from our civilian brothers. A doctor will conduct his duties in line with his profession’s requirements of humaneness and so does a teacher and staff in all sectors without expecting to be arrested, tortured, discharged, or even trialled.

I am not here to exaggerate or belittle their contributions, but to bring to light things many have been neglected in the minds of many people. As military personnel, we knew that our position was a dangerous one from the onset. We understood that refusing to obey military instructions would have dire consequences for us and our futures, yet we stood by our brothers in their demands for justice and refused to point our triggers at them. We carried the pain of our nation with them and shared their concerns. …more

Police have been cracking down on Bahraini protesters for the third consecutive day following the death of an elderly woman from tear gas. 81-year-old Salma Mohsin died of suffocation after tear gas was fired into her home in the northern village Barbar on Saturday, prompting three days of mourning and protests. Sunday and Monday’s protest marches turned violent with large quantities of tear gas fired at protesters. On Tuesday afternoon protesters were once again targeted by police as they marched through Barbar, with reports of tear gas and clashes. …see much more coverage HERE

Legislation okayed to criminalise torture in Bahrain
by Suad Hamada – 15 January 2012 – Khaleej Times

The cabinet has approved two key laws to implement its zero-tolerance policy towards torture as part of its commitment to fully implementing the BICI recommendations.

The first amendment to the Penal Code aims to protect persons who claim to be tortured or other forms of inhumane treatment and the second ensures these complaints are swiftly investigated and prosecuted by the attorney-general rather than police.

These amendments come on top of previous legislation, approved by the cabinet in October last year that brings the law into full compliance with international human rights standards. Under these amendments to the Penal Code, the crime of torture is no longer limited to acts of inflicting severe pain used to extract a confession, as was earlier the case, but rather criminalises all acts of torture. Further, the amendments provided that there is no time-limit to investigating and prosecuting persons for torture. Finally, the amendments ensure that the crime of torture attracts severe penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offence. …source

Bahraini Shi’ites urge probe of “torture” death
Reuters – by Firouz Sedarat -14 January, 2012

DUBAI, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s main Shi’ite opposition group on Saturday called for an international investigation into the death of a young protester after a rights group said his body showed signs of torture.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights quoted an uncle of the 24-year-old victim as saying his body carried “clear marks of torture”, however the Interior Ministry said an autopsy revealed the youth, who went missing on Wednesday, had drowned.

Wefaq, the largest Shi’ite Muslim opposition group, said a neutral non-Bahraini commission should investigate the case and other killings.

There had been “a complete loss of confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and security services of Bahrain”, it said in a statement.

Tensions between Bahrain’s ruling Sunni minority and Shi’ites have continued almost a year after violent demonstrations flared in the island state. The unrest was put
down with military help from Sunni-led Saudi Arabia, but low-level protests continue on an almost daily basis.

The United States, which moors its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, has made a $53 million arms sale to Bahrain contingent on a positive response to the recommendations of a government inquiry into the unrest. Bahrain has said it is committed to reforming its police forces. …source

There are good reasons not only for the media, but for western governments to begin taking an active interest in the ongoing street conflict in Eastern Province

The quiet war in Saudi Arabia
by Joshua Jacobs – 15 January 2012 – Open Democracy

While western powers have been happy to use Saudi Arabia as an ally to ratchet up the pressure on Assad’s beleaguered regime in Syria, it has not caught a whiff of the silent crackdown occurring within the kingdom. Since late November the protest movement which was largely snuffed out last spring has returned to the streets in force, largely centered on the oil rich and largely Shia Eastern Province.

The Saudi response was both brutal and predictable. Security forces shot and killed three protesters and wounded many more over several days of crackdowns in the eastern city of Qatif. Clashes continued throughout December as demonstrators battled security forces who routinely utilized live ammunition. In a series of retaliatory raids on the homes and districts of protest sympathizers hundreds were arrested and wounded. The killings along with the continued discrimination and mistreatment of the Shia of the Eastern Province has formed the basis of the current protest movement – a protest movement that has suffered heavily like its neighbour in Bahrain, but with little in the way of a headline.

Today, while attention was focused on the Strait of Hormuz, on Syria, and on the rising tensions in Bahrain, Saudi security forces launched an assault on the city of Awamiyah killing at least one and wounding half a dozen more. Eye witnesses have stated that soldiers on trucks opened fire on demonstrators, hitting many as they fled. The attack bears all the hallmarks of a planned operation with electricity being cut to the area prior to the assault. The area at the time of writing is apparently still under military lock-down and reflects a state of siege with clashes continuing to occur and gunfire being heard.

This attack was almost certainly condoned by the royal family and comes on the heels of a series of indictments against demonstrators and high profile invectives against the protest movement. Despite this attack and others like it, the rumblings and tremors of protest and crackdown show no sign of abatement. Indeed in the past few months they have once again reared their head in the south west in Najran and Jazan, compounded with protests over women’s rights in Riyadh and Buraydah.

These protests bear all the hallmarks of a movement which could coalesce and burst anew from the ashes of the disjointed and largely suppressed protests of last spring. They also come at an extremely troubling time for the kingdom. The death of Crown Prince Sultan highlighted the geriatric character of the upper echelons of the ruling family, and the potential uncertainty and disquiet surrounding the issue of succession. Meanwhile, continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising furor on the streets of Bahrain open up the risk of unrest spreading to the kingdom in a domino effect. Indeed the extremely aggressive Saudi position on Bahrain and the continued quartering of troops in the tiny island monarchy has a direct relationship to their fears of domestic instability. The possibility of Saudi Shia rallying on behalf of their co-religionists in Bahrain, or vice versa is a looming threat that the Saudis are taking great pains to neutralize. …more

Iran warns Saudi Arabia to reconsider ‘unfriendly’ vow to open oil taps
by Agence France-Presse – 17 January, 2012

TEHRAN – Iran has warned Saudi Arabia to reconsider its vow to make up for any shortfall in Iranian oil exports under new sanctions, saying Riyadh’s pledge to step into the market was unfriendly.

The foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, issued the warning in an interview with Iran’s broadcaster Al Alam.

“We invite Saudi officials to further reflect and consider” their offer to compensate for curbed Iranian oil exports, he said.

He attacked recent comments by the Saudi oil minister, Ali Al Naimi, saying Saudi oil output could be boosted to about 2.6 million barrels per day – the same amount that Iran exports – and that the world will not permit Iran to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“These signals are not friendly signals,” Mr Salehi said.

He said the security of the Arabian Gulf was “a collective security and Iran is a major player in this regard”.

Meanwhile, South Korea said it would continue bilateral discussions with the US to find an acceptable compromise on sanctions against Iran’s crude-oil exports, as the resource-poor country attempts to safeguard its energy security without alienating its key ally and trade partner.

A delegation of US officials met South Korean officials throughout yesterday to solicit Seoul’s cooperation on US-led efforts to curtail Iran’s oil revenues to pressure Iran into giving up its nuclear programme. …more

Nabeel Rajab’s Speech During the Political Societies’ Mass Gathering
15 January 2012 – Mohdashoor blog

The opposition political societies in Bahrain have drawn a red line for themselves, refraining from criticizing the King of Bahrain and its Crown Prince, in a belief that the way forward is for the call for a Constitutional Monarchy. Therefore, in all their weekly gatherings and political protest marches, they have only gone as far as calling for the resignation of the Government, headed by the King’s uncle.

However, in their weekly gathering on Thursday, 12th January, 2012, Nabeel Rajab (President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights) dropped quite a shock to both the regime and the political societies when he took to the podium by making the King of Bahrain his main target. This could well be a new page in the struggle for Freedom in Bahrain. The video of his speech and the English translation are below. Judge for yourself….

Brothers & sisters, after the publication of the Bassiouni [BICI] report, it has become clear that the regime is insisting on its existing policies, its recklessness, its brutality and its tyranny. And it doesn’t seem like there is any glimpse of hope or sign that we cling on to that indicates to us that the regime is going to reform itself. The persistent use of excessive force against protesters, and the new strategy of kidnapping the youth from the villages, dragging them to isolated places like the Youth Hostel, municipality buildings and stable in Budaiya, and torturing them there indicates that the new strategy is not to take them to police stations to do this, so that these institutions are able to distance themselves from these crimes, and for them not to be accused of ill-treatment and/or torture. This shows that this regime does not learn from its past mistakes, and does not learn from what is going on in the world around it.

I think that we are entering a new phase of activism. We are entering a phase in which we have to escalate our activism work as individuals, organizations, activists and human rights defenders. The regime has undoubtedly gotten used to the current rhythm of protests, just like a body that gets used to certain drugs. The regime got used to these gatherings and to the small village protests that it ends and disperses using tear gas. At the same time it tries to mislead the world public opinion in saying that Bahrain does not have any problems except for some small protests inside the villages and these gatherings.

We have to be clear in our speech. Our problem is not with the Prime Minister, nor with the government of the Prime Minister, whom are all merely employees. Our problem is with the King of Bahrain.

Our problem is with the King, whom since his ascendancy to the throne we have been facing tragedies. It’s the same King that was behind the Bandar Report [Bandargate], the same King that was behind the sectarian cleansing in public institutions, the same King that tried to implement sectarian segregation, and the same King that is trying to change the demographic composition of the country. As I said before, we tried to give the King a chance. We have rarely criticized the King in our speeches and writings to allow him a way back from his policies and for him to reform. However, it is now clear that this strategy has not produced any results with the King. So it is now important that we openly confront the King with honesty.

[Speaking to the King] We have given you a great opportunity to reform yourself. If you cannot get rid of the heavy weights of your regime and the crimes that your regime has committed, then it is the appropriate time now for you to leave.

I call on the patriotic lawyers, that have played a crucial role during this crisis and deserve all the thanks and gratitude from us, to start filing court cases against all the criminals and human rights violators that have killed and tortured. Especially that most of the international courts of justice do not accept cases in their courts until after exhausting all the local means of obtaining justice. Therefore, I would request the lawyers, again which have already exerted considerable effort in the legal movement in the courts and have themselves been victims of detention, like Mohammed Al Tajer, and threats, like Jalila Al Sayed, Mohammed Ahmed, Mohammed Al Jishi and others, to start filing these court cases, and to start with members of the ruling family that have been complicit in these crimes, headed by the sons of the King; Nasser & Khalid. Adding to them, the Commander of the BDF, Khalifa bin Ahmed, the Head of the NSA (that has been recently promoted), Khalifa bin Abdulla, the Head of the Riffa Police Station, Khalifa bin Ahmed, and also Sh. Noora. These people, and according to many statements received by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, have been complicit in crimes of torture either directly or indirectly.

On another point, we must get past the protest marches and gatherings that wait for the permission of the authorities. …more