Study Reveals Corporate News Blackout On Democracy Uprising in Persian Gulf Kingdom

BAHRAIN: How the US Mainstream Media Turn a Blind Eye To Washington’s Despotic Arab Ally
by Colin S. Cavell – 9 April, 2012 – Global Research.ca

In her year-end summary of the Arab Spring revolts of 2011, Christiane Amanpour, the Global Affairs Anchor of ABC News as well as an anchor and Chief International Correspondent at CNN, highlights the rebellions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria but never mentions the uprising in Bahrain (“This Week,” December 25, 2011). Apparently, Bahrain falls off the global map with Amanpour and ABC News [1].

In its year-end edition, the world’s largest weekly news magazine with headquarters in New York City, Time, awarded its “Person of the Year” award to ‘The Protester’ heralding the millions who voiced their opposition to dictators and corruption in 2011 starting with the protests in Tunisia which spread throughout the Arab world on into Europe and across the Atlantic to the Occupy Wall Street Movement in the USA. In his cover story on “The Protester,” Time magazine reporter Kurt Andersen praises activists in cities in Tunisia, Egypt, Spain, Greece, Britain, Israel, Mexico, India, Chile, the USA, Russia, Syria, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Jordan, Yemen, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco. Is Bahrain mentioned at all, our dear reader may inquire? Only once: to indicate that the “days of rage” had reached to the “softer monarchical dictatorships—Jordan, Bahrain, Morocco…” (Andersen, p. 72) [2]. Yes, that is it—one mention. In a 21-page article, one would think that a seasoned journalist would care to write a little more about the massive demonstrations and subsequent onslaught by regime forces against the pro-democracy protesters which occurred in Bahrain in 2011. Is this careless journalism or deliberate policy to exclude reporting on Bahrain?

Dr. James J. Zogby, founder and president of the Washington DC-based Arab American Institute, in his article “The ‘Arab Spring’ Effect,” conducted a year-end public opinion survey in Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran regarding the effect of the 2011 Arab Spring and the publics’ satisfaction with the pace of political change, and there is not one mention of Bahrain and no reporting on how Bahrainis feel about the pace of political change in their country (January 1, 2012). Is Bahrain just too small or too insignificant one may begin to ponder?

Noted commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, Professor Juan Cole from the University of Michigan, in his November 10, 2011 article entitled “Protest Planet: How a Neoliberal Shell Game Created an Age of Activism,” writes of the factors that have motivated the Arab Spring rebellions including “the resulting corruption, the way politicians can be bought and sold, and the impunity of the white-collar criminals who have run riot in societies everywhere…high rates of unemployment, reduced social services, blighted futures, and above all the substitution of the market for all other values as the matrix of human ethics and life.”

Though able to pinpoint many of the causes of the revolts, Dr. Cole—like others in the American mainstream—fails to mention Bahrain even once when he traces the path of the Arab rebellions thusly: “The success of the Tunisian revolution in removing the octopus-like Ben Ali plutocracy inspired the dramatic events in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and even Israel that are redrawing the political map of the Middle East” (Cole, November 10, 2011). Excuse me, Professor Cole, but what about Bahrain?!

“Just like nothing ever happened”

In a rare exception to the near-national blackout of reporting on Bahrain by the USA’s top media outlets [3], National Public Radio reporter Kelly McEvers, in early 2012, tells, after several trips to Bahrain in 2011, of “Bahrain: The Revolution That Wasn’t” (McEvers, January 5, 2012). “Bahrain’s uprising didn’t get quite as much attention as some of the others in the Arab world last year,” she reports. “But it was one of the first, beginning on Feb. 14.” McEvers continues, “Bahrainis had protested before, mainly about the fact that the country’s majority Shiites remain poor [4] and disenfranchised by the Sunni monarchy. But they’d never protested like this.

“At first the protesters asked for things like an elected Parliament, a new constitution. But then when demonstrators started getting killed, tens of thousands of Bahrainis converged on a place called the Pearl Roundabout to call for the fall of the ruling Al Khalifa family.”

“Bahrain State TV called protesters traitors and agents of Iran, which is nearby and also has a Shiite majority.”

“In Bahrain, pro-government thugs attacked protesters, and protesters fought back. Just one month into the uprising, Bahrain’s ruling family authorized some 1,500 troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to enter the country.”

“Apache helicopters circled overhead as authorities cleared the Pearl Roundabout of all protesters. They never made it back” (McEvers, January 5, 2012).

McEvers further notes that Bahrain is the one Arab country where the government was able to definitively suppress a major uprising. She quotes Dr. Toby Jones, a professor of Middle East history at Rutgers University, who concluded this is because “the United States and its allies wanted it that way.” Bahrain definitely stands apart from the other Arab regimes implies Jones. …more

editor: There was a similar blast tot he one that occurred today last December and it was met with great skepticism and dismissed by the media and most foreign governments alike. The MOI police at this hour have attacked several Villages in force in a riotous manner. While this is not uncommon the scale and intensity of the violence from the MOI Police is exceptional. This may well be the pretext of a agitation of violence against the villages in preparation for the announcement of the death of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. This would help justify a more intense military style crackdown similar or even more intense during the Saudi invasion of Bahrain last year. Saudi Forces have not yet been reported on the causeway. The International media should keep in mind the treachery and deceit of the al Khalifa regime. Additional the al Khalifa have hired the best of the experts in “dirty tricks” and public relations propaganda. All of this is against the backdrop of the regimes cruel detention of politicals and the “freedom or death” hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who’s condition is unknown at this hour. This coupled with the apparent collapse of F1 team support for King Hamad’s point of pride, the Bahrain F1 is a recipe for disaster.

It is plain and likely that the current invasion of the villages that the MOI thugs will plant evidence, find suspects and engage in wide spread torture of individuals they intend to use patsies for what is likely a MOI staged blast. In these latest developments, it is clearly the al Kahfia regime and the opposition have enter into a new and extremely dangerous phase of conflict. In the meantime the US Department of State has public called for a “humanitarian solution” for Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Their timing is peculiar. Here until now, the DOS has given no indication or public call for AlKhawaja’s release and it is inopportune that their public announcement of support coincides with the increasing rumors and expectation of AlKhawaja’s death. Giving the US pattern of support for the regime and relative indifference toward the plight of Bahrain democracy seeking opposition, it is increasingly difficult to understand the conflict in Bahrain as anything but US backed campaign of cynical belligerence and active participation in a Saudi directed apartheid and systematic assault against Bahrain’s Shiite. The Department of State must give a through accounting of it actions or lack there of and take a firm and intolerant position against the al Khlaifa regime or it will stand totally discredited at this point. In defense of the Depart of State, they were apparently asleep at the switch when Egypt ushered in the so called “Arab Spring”, it may well be they are simply inept. In either case, their credibility as advocates of “human rights” and “democracy” is evaporating.

While we hope the USG is inept in this instance, there is a far more ominous question of motive that must be asked; Is the USG deliberately agitating the situation in Bahrain for some extraneous goal? Perhaps to destabilize the Gulf as a provocative move to engage the GCC and Iran? Which would ultimately justify a US military response to Iran. Whether by design or by or USG ineptitude, the situation seems to be shaping up for such a confrontation. Perhaps not, but once again the situation demands the Department of State act responsibly and take a clear and unambiguous position in condemnation of the brutality of the al Kahlifa regime and to effect immediate and tangible actions to stop the reign of brutality. This will send a meaningful and necessary message of support to those who seek a free and democratic Bahrain and feel abandon by the hope from President Obama they have been counting upon . Phlipn.

Bahrain: Blast Injures 7 Police Officers During Protest
By REUTERS – 9 April, 2012 – NYT

Seven police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded on Monday as protesters near the capital called for the release of an activist on a two-month hunger strike, an Interior Ministry spokesman said. Protesters threw explosive devices at police officers to lure them into a village outside the capital, Manama, before the explosion was set off, the spokesman said. Bahrain has ruled out sending the jailed activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, left, who is also a Danish citizen, to Denmark for medical treatment despite a request from the Danish government to do so. On Monday, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations urged Bahrain to reconsider. Daily protests to demand his freedom have been taking place across Bahrain, which crushed protests, mainly by the country’s Shiite Muslim majority, against the Sunni royal family last year. …more

US in contact with Bahrain over jailed activist
(AFP) – 9 April, 2012 – 18:22PM EST

WASHINGTON — The US State Department said Monday it is in contact with Bahraini authorities over the case of a jailed Bahraini-Danish activist and is urging a “humanitarian solution.”

Mohammed al-Jeshi, the lawyer for the activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, told AFP that Khawaja was feared to have died, after Bahraini authorities rejected repeated requests by Jeshi and his family to visit or contact him.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington that “we are very concerned about the case of Mr al-Khawaja, particularly with regard to his health.”

She added that Jeffrey Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, and diplomats at the US embassy had reached out to the Bahraini authorities about the activist’s case.

“We are in touch with the Bahrainis and with our international partners, and we are urging a humanitarian solution,” Nuland said.

Jeshi, who spoke by telephone to AFP in Dubai, said the last time he contacted Khawaja was on Saturday, a day after he was moved from the interior ministry hospital into a military hospital in Manama.

Khawaja, a Shiite who was condemned with other opposition activists to life in jail over an alleged plot to topple the Sunni monarchy during a month-long protest a year ago, began a hunger strike on the night of February 8-9.

Denmark has asked Bahrain to send Khawaja, who is also a Danish citizen, to the Scandinavian country. Bahrain’s official news agency BNA reported Sunday that Manama had turned down the request. ..source

Queen invites ruler of Bahrain’s bloody regime to her Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle because ‘it’s very rude to leave anyone off the list’ By Katie Nicholl and Jonathan Petre – 7 April 2012 – UK Mail Online

Human Rights Defender, Saeed Yousuf Al Muhafda bottom right documents victim of systematic rape by Bahrain MOI Agents in Sanabis March, 2012

The country’s despotic rulers were accused of using brute force and torture to crush the protests last year, which saw more than 50 civilians killed and thousands arrested. The Bahrain royal family has direct control of the police, army and security services.

The king’s son, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, was last year invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton but pulled out at the last minute in a move that spared the couple from potential embarrassment. Human rights activists had threatened to disrupt Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s stay in London, insisting he was the chief architect of the crackdown.

In January, the Countess of Wessex came under pressure to return lavish jewels given to her by the Bahrain royal family during a pre-Christmas visit to the country.
Despot: The English-educated King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, leaves Number 10 Downing Street in December last year

Despot: The English-educated King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, leaves Number 10 Downing Street in December last year

One set of jewels came from the king and another from the prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the king’s uncle. The crown prince gave her a silver and pearl cup and her husband, the Earl of Wessex, received a silk rug.

Continuing unrest on the streets of Bahrain has also led to calls for this month’s Formula 1 race there to be cancelled, with critics including ex-world champion Damon Hill. One protester was shot dead last week when riot police used tear gas and live bullets against demonstrators.

Buckingham Palace aides said yesterday that the King of Bahrain had not yet confirmed that he will attend the Diamond Jubilee lunch, which will take place at Windsor on May 18 and which will be a historic and intimate gathering of crowned heads.

During the Golden Jubilee the Queen hosted a party for the sovereigns of Europe, but this is a much wider gathering of reigning monarchs from around the world.

Palace aides said the luncheon would tie in with the ‘Big Lunch’ theme of the Jubilee celebrations which encourages the British public to organise street meals around the country to celebrate.

Prince Charles has organised a dinner on the same evening at Buckingham Palace as a personal ‘thank you’ to his mother, who will celebrate her 60 years on the Throne with a weekend of celebrations in June.

While the Prince’s dinner is expected to be an elaborate affair, and is likely to be organised by his former valet Michael Fawcett, who now runs a catering business, the Queen’s lunch will be catered ‘in house’ and may be staged in the gardens of Windsor Castle.

Aides said it was the Queen’s idea to host the lunch and she was ‘delighted’ when Prince Charles offered to throw a dinner. It is understood that the reigning heads of Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands and Norway will all attend the lunch.

Crowned heads from further afield are expected to include the Emperor of Japan, the King of Tonga and rulers from the Middle Eastern kingdoms including President Khalifa bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates, the Sultan of Brunei, Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait and the Emir of Qatar.
…more

Mon, 9 Apr 2012, 13:31 GMT+3 – Bahrain

The lawyer of jailed Bahraini activist Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja told the AFP news agency there were fears his client may have died, after authorities turned down repeated requests to contact him.

“Authorities have been refusing since yesterday [Sunday] all requests, made by myself and by his family, to visit or contact al-Khawaja,” Mohammed al-Jeshi, his lawyer, told AFP.

“We fear that he might have passed away as there is no excuse for them to prevent us from visiting or contacting him,” he said, adding that no information was available on Khawaja’s health.

Jeshi said the last time he contacted Khawaja was on Saturday, a day after he was moved from the interior ministry hospital into a military hospital in Manama. [AFP] …source

Protest in Lebanon over jailed Bahraini activist on hunger strike
9 April, 2012 – The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Dozens of people protested in front of the Bahraini consul-general’s residence in Hamra Monday in solidarity with imprisoned Bahraini activist Abdullah al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for two months.

Organized by the Palestinian Human Rights Foundation [Monitor], the protesters voiced their concerns over the health of Khawaja, a leading activist in the ongoing protests against the ruling family in Manama, holding the Bahraini government responsible for his deteriorating condition.

On Sunday, Bahrain ruled out extraditing the dual Bahraini-Danish national to Denmark, according to Reuters.

Khawaja, who was transferred to a military hospital last week and is being fed intravenously, received a life sentence on charges of treason last year along with 13 other activists.

Bahraini activists have rallied support for Khawaja on social media outlets. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also asked for his release.

During the protest Monday, the administrative director of Monitor said that Khawaja was “engaging in this battle on behalf of the honorable defenders of dignity and freedom.”

In a statement, the organization called on the international community and in particular the Danish government to intervene immediately to release Khawaja.

Over 5,000 demonstrators took to the streets Saturday near Manama demanding the release of Khawaja but were met with riot police. Anti-government activists claim charges against Khawaja are fabricated.

In February of last year, protests by Bahrainis calling for reform were crushed by the government. Bahrain accused Iran of fueling the protests. Tehran denied the allegations.

Recent weeks have seen a renewal of large-scale protests. Last month, thousands of Bahrainis demonstrated near Manama to demand democratic reform.
…more

President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Prime Minister Cameron, US Congress, Members of Parliament, as the enablers of the al Khalifa regime brutality and apartheid, you bear great responsibility for the crimes King Hamad directs against the people of Bahrain.

A Question of Human Rights: Keeping the F1 Racing Series Out of Bahrain
Dave Zirin- 9 April, 2012 – The National

On April 22nd, the royal family of Bahrain is determined to stage its annual Formula 1 Grand Prix race. This might not sound like scintillating news, but whether the event goes off as planned is a question with major ramifications for the royal Khalifa family, as well as for the democracy movement in the Gulf kingdom. It will also be viewed closely by the US state department and human rights organizations across the globe. From a renowned prisoner on a two month hunger strike to a British billionaire fascist sympathizer, the sides have been sharply drawn.

For the Bahraini royals, staging the Formula 1 race is a chance to show the people that normalcy has returned following last year’s massive pro-democracy protests. In 2011, the race was cancelled to the rage of the royals. Now, the royal family is hoping that the 60 people slaughtered by Bahraini and Saudi forces, as well as the thousands arrested and tortured can be forgotten in the roar of the engines.

For those protesting in the name of expanded political and personal freedoms, the return of the F1 racing series as a slap in the face, given all they’ve suffered in the last year and continue to suffer today. Now the protest movement and human rights organizations are calling upon Bernie Ecclestone, the CEO of Formula 1 Grand Prix, to cancel the race.

Maryam al-Khawaja, head of the foreign relations office at the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, said:

“The government promised changes last year but no changes have taken place because there is no incentive to make them. And tortures are still taking place. The government want the message to go out that it is business as usual. But today armored vehicles went into residential areas for the first time since last year’s martial law ended in June. I have heard reports of protesters being thrown from rooftops and others having legs broken. That it is why Formula One should make a stand and call this race off.”

At a mass anti-F1 rally, Ali Mohammed commented to the AP, “We don’t want Formula [1] in our country. They are killing us every day with tear gas. They have no respect for human rights or democracy. Why would we keep silent? No one will enjoy the F1 in Bahrain with cries for freedom from the inside and outside of the race.”

Then there is prominent activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike for more than 50 days. Calls for his immediate release have merged with calls for the F1 cancellation. Protesters are described as holding al-Khawaja’s picture in one hand, and a “no to F1” sign in the other.

1996 F1 champion Damon Hill of the UK, who is now a commentator for Sky News also expressed his concern, saying, “It would be a bad state of affairs, and bad for Formula One, to be seen to be enforcing martial law in order to hold the race. That is not what this sport should be about. Looking at it today you’d have to say that [the race] could be creating more problems than it’s solving.” …more