Bahraini activists ask appeals court for freedom
29 May, 2012 – Agence France Presse

DUBAI: Two Bahraini opposition activists facing life terms for plotting to overthrow the Sunni monarchy told an appeals court on Tuesday they were “tortured” in detention and asked to be freed, their lawyers said.

Hasan Musheime and Abdel Jalil al-Sankis, both Shiites, testified that they were “prisoners of conscience” and called on the judge to release them, one of their lawyers told AFP on condition of anonymity.

According to prosecutors, prominent Shiite opposition activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who also faces a life sentence, refused to attend Tuesday’s hearing which came just one day after he said he would end his 110-day hunger strike.

All three men were arrested during last year’s mid-March crackdown on Bahrain’s Arab Spring-inspired anti-government protests.

The activists are among 13 prisoners whose cases were being heard on Tuesday. All 13 defendants, seven of whom face life terms, are being retried in a civil appeals court.

The next hearing is set for June 5, according to lawyers.

In June 2011, a specially formed tribunal handed down harsh jail terms for 21 mostly Shiite activists for allegedly plotting to overthrow the regime, including the 13 activists at Tuesday’s hearing.

Ten months later, Bahrain’s highest appeals court ordered a retrial in the case of all 21 activists.

Bahrain came under strong criticism from international rights organisations over last year’s crackdown on the Shiite-led demonstrations.

An international panel commissioned by King Hamad to probe the government’s clampdown found out that excessive force and torture had been used against protesters and detainees. …source

Bahrain to quit Arabsat to protest Iran channels
26 May, 2012 – AFP

DUBAI, May 26, 2012 (AFP) – Bahrain will stop broadcasting its channels on satellite operator Arabsat to protest an Iran-led “hostile” media campaign, the state news agency BNA reported on Saturday.

“The Information Affairs Authority (IAA) decided to stop broadcasting Bahrain bouquet on Arabsat, starting from June 1,” BNA said quoting an English language statement.

IAA criticised Arabsat for failing to heed repeated requests “to take an official measure” against Iranian channels which also broadcast on Arabsat.

These channels, it said, were waging a “hostile media campaign” against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia “to incite sectarianism and shake security and stability,” in the Sunni-ruled kingdoms.

The IAA said it had “repeatedly requested” Arabsat to take measures against Iranian channels since February 2011, when a month-long Shiite-led uprising began in Bahrain against the regime.

“The executive body of Arabsat did not respond to these requests,” said the statement.

In 2009, Saudi-based Arabsat and another Arab satellite operator, Nilesat, briefly stopped broadcasting Arabic-language Iranian channel Al-Alam.

Tensions have escalated between Shiite Iran and its Arab neighbours in the Gulf since a Saudi-led Gulf force rolled into Bahrain in March 2011 to boost the kingdom’s security forces, which then crushed a month-old uprising against the regime.

Iran has repeatedly voiced support for the protests in Bahrain and strongly condemned the deployment of the Saudi-led forces.

Al-Alam and Lebanon’s Hezbollah’s Al-Manar channel have provided full coverage of the protests dominated by their Shiite co-religionists. …source

Court Cases in Kuwait and Bahrain Heighten Tensions with Iran
29 May, 2012 – Shirin Moradi – insideIran

A Kuwaiti appeals court last week mitigated the sentences of four Iranians charged with participating in an espionage ring linked to the Iranian government, an accusation categorically denied by Iran.

The court commuted the sentence of three individuals- two Iranians and a Kuwaiti national – formerly sentenced with the death penalty under suspicion of conducting intelligence activities for Iran to life imprisonment due to their tenure in the Kuwaiti army until May 2010, according to the BBC Persian Service. The court also acquitted an Iranian man and woman and a Syrian, but upheld the life sentence for a stateless man who had previously faced the same charges.

In May 2010, Kuwaiti sources reported that a group of informants — several of whom were officers in the Kuwaiti army- were arrested for leaking information to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) about American military facilities in Kuwait, which are used as a transit point for delivering supplies and troops to U.S. military forces stationed in Iraq. The Iranian government, however, adamantly refuted these allegations.

The iterative nature of the accusations made against Iran by Gulf States shows the growing geopolitical tensions between Shiite Iran and its Sunni-led Arab neighbors- particularly Saudi Arabia- in the Gulf Cooperation Council in the wake of the Arab spring protests. On May 27, a Bahraini court also reportedly sentenced several individuals for collecting intelligence for Iran.

The high-profile case sparked tensions between Iran and Kuwait, which escalated into a bilateral expulsion of diplomats and a breakdown in relations. Following a visit by Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi to Kuwait City in May 2011, ambassadors and diplomats from the two countries returned to their respective duties and Kuwaiti-Iranian relations were restored.

In response to the Kuwaiti decision to exonerate several of the spies, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on May 29, during his weekly press briefing, denounced the accusations against Iran as spurious and “baseless and unfounded” and emphasized that the Islamic Republic rejected these claims.

Mehmanparast further described the accusations against the Iranian nationals and the Iranian government as “fictional scenarios” and indicated that it would behoove countries of the region to “stay out of these games.”

The defendants maintained their innocence throughout the trial and claimed that the confessions used against them in court had been made under torture. Throughout the trial, the defendants claimed that the frequent trips they had made to Iran were for tourism and for medical treatment, rather than for engagement in intelligence activities. According to a dispatch from Bloomberg, the Iranian consulate has not been allowed to meet with the accused throughout the course of the trial.

The case will now proceed to the Kuwaiti Supreme Court for its final adjudication. …more

The Undeclared War Between Iran and Saudi Arabia
Aref Alobeid, Ph.D. – 29 May, 2012 – Geostrategic Forecasting

Historically, Iran has blamed the Arabs for the demise of the Persian Empire in 636 A.D. The predominance of the ideas of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the current Tehran’s nuclear program and the Iranian interventions against the internal affairs of the Arabic neighboring Gulf countries, constitute grounds of concern for the regime of the family Saud in Saudi Arabia, which is the old rival of Iran.

The factors that give to Saudi Arabia the power to compete with the other member of the Middle East at the regional level are firstly, the leader of the Sunni Islamic Wahhabism as official doctrine[1]. Secondly, the occupation of the first position in production of oil in the world, thirdly, the developing military power compared with all the Arab countries of the Gulf including Iraq and Yemen. In addition, the Saudi dominant role in the Arab League, the Islamic Conference and the Cooperation Council of Arab States of Gulf (GCC) [2].

In 1998, a positive climate developed between Saudi Arabia and Iran for their cooperation in policy-making of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to significantly increase their national incomes. However, recent revelations of Wikileaks reveal the concern of the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia about the Islamic Republic of Iran in general and its nuclear program in particular. According to them the King Abdullah urges Americans to destroy the Iranian program and “cut the head of the snake”[3], as mentioned characteristics in the diplomatic documents leaked to the public.

The new era of uprisings in the Arab world concerns particularly the Gulf countries. The fear of revolt of the Arabs Shiite against the monarchies is real. Iran, exploiting the Shiite element, considers that the wave of uprisings in the Arab world, with the exception of Syria, is a great opportunity to regain its regional hegemony which has been lost since the Arabs limited his empire. Therefore, the Saudis, who know the Iranian intentions, made the decision to send forces to the neighboring monarchy of Bahrain as the first line of defense, resulting in a deterioration of relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

Bahrain is the apple of discord for the Saudi-Iranian conflict, where Iran, because of sympathy and solidarity, stands on the Shiite opposition of Bahrain on one hand; however Saudi Arabia supports the Sunni dynasty on the other hand. Moreover, the intervention of forces of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain prevented Tehran to exploit the uprising to overthrow Bahrain’s regime. Also, it caused disruption among Shiite communities in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and Al Kteif in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, next to the oil producing facilities. …more

Free Hassan Mushaima: Prisoner of Conscience
29 May, 2012

Mr. Hassan Mushaima, a 64 year old is a political prisoner of conscience who has been in detention since March 2011.

He is a prominent leader of the Bahraini opposition movement, the bulk of Mushaima’s life was spent in a prison cell (over 6 years in the 1990’s, then in 2006, 2008 and, more recently, 2011), his only crime being devotion for justice, equality and democracy for Bahraini citizens.

Prior to the popular uprising that took place in February 2011 within the small Middle-Eastern island of Bahrain, Mushaima was in London receiving ongoing medical treatment having been diagnosed with stage IV follicular lymphoma, a malignant cancer, in June 2010, for which he received 6 cycles of chemotherapy under the care of Professor Cunningham, consultant oncologist at the Royal Marsden hospital.

After having responded to the initial chemo-therapeutic drug regime, the plan was to have regular 2 monthly injections of Rituximab (a drug used to prevent relapse of disease, progression and death) for 2 years until January 2013 (appendix- add prof Cunningham letter scan0015).

Mushaima returned to Bahrain in March for a short visit, and was arrested shortly thereafter when the Saudi troops and their tanks occupied Bahrain and took control of the streets, demolishing the iconic Pearl roundabout, previously a hot spot for the peaceful protestors.

During his detention, despite his age and medical condition, Mushaima was subjected extreme physical and psychological torture. Such torture included: direct blows to the body; sleep deprivation; drenching in cold water then placed under a cold air conditioning unit; verbal abuse; and threats regarding his family.

After informing the authorities of his medical condition, Mushaima was blindfolded and taken to a clinic on two occasions, given unknown injections, unaware of the hospital he was taken to, nor the doctor that was treating him. Sometime following the administration of the unknown drugs the doctor in the unknown Bahraini clinic stated that the cancer was still present, although the consultant responsible for Mushaima’s care in London informed him that the cancer had responded to treatment.

His family requested clarification on the treatment he was receiving via their lawyer on 25/08/2011 (appendix, lawyerletter25-08-2011.pdf) and a copy of the medical report, but got a refusal from the military courts.

In addition, Professor Cunningham wrote a letter in October 2011 stating his concern regarding the CT scan, and the need to release him to continue appropriate treatment in the UK (appendix, letter HMoshaima.pdf), yet no action has been taken and Mushaima has not received any treatment in the past 6 months.

The information we have on Hassan Mushaima and his current medical state has caused much concern. His family request that he is released immediately as his condition is rapidly deteriorating, requiring urgent and appropriate medical rehabilitation from Professor Cunningham. If this does not happen soon, his long-term medical prognosis and quality of life is extremely poor, and his family fears that this may eventually lead to his death.

We are asking for your help and support in putting pressure on the Bahraini government for Hassan Mushaima’s immediate release and his transfer to the UK for urgent medical care. …source

Report about the Salihiya detainees
تقرير حقوقي عن شباب الصالحية المعتقلين باللغتين العربية والانجليزية
30 May, 2012

Mahmoud Karoof. Since the start the revolution of Bahrain The Bahraini regime is still acting brutally with people of Bahrain.
Night attacks on homes didn’t stop!

In 27/5/2012 riot police carried out a brutal attack on the town Al-Salheya which is located west of Manama at 4:00am with 5 jeeps and 3 coasters. At this time of course there isn’t any march! But the Bahraini regime is conducting a policy of intimidation for the revenge of the protesters.

Some houses were broken into by Riot police (Mercenaries) Including Mahmoud Karoof’s house and they arrested him.
Mahmoud is 19 years old, he’s a student in Bahrain Institute and he’s preparing to study abroad. His health isn’t good! He’s suffering from burns in his foot.

Rio police surrounded his house. His father went out to them, They told him: We want an arrest of Mahmoud!! They entered into the house garden. They broke into the ground floor on the pretext of inspection. They portrayed Mahmoud when he came down the stairs.

Before they left they said: don’t ask about him before 10:00a.m.

Then they began to search for him after 10 o’clock In all police stations! But without result!
They said: don’t ask about him before two days.

Today 29 may Mahmud is continues with his family. He said to them: Is now in prison (Alhawdh aljaf) Will be arrested for 60 days pending investigation.

Mahmoud and his friends are not criminals, they are prisoners of opinion. The regime of Bahrain is still ignoring to implement BICI recommendations and Criticism of international organizations.

We call you to save them and interest in their cases.

منذ بدء الثورة البحرينية ومازال النظام البحريني يتعامل بوحشيه ناحية الشعب البحريني.
والإعتقالات والقمع والقتل ما زال مستمراً حتى هذه اللحظة. ولأن النظام البحريني إعتاد على هتك حرمات العباد فإن الهجمات الليله على المنازل لم تتوقف حتى الآن.
في 27/5/2012م إقتحمت قوات سلب الأمن ( المرتزقة) قرية الصالحية الواقعه غرب العاصمة المنامة الساعة الرابعة فجراً بـ 5 أجياب و 3 كوسترات لتستيقظ القرية على صراخ الأهالي والإقتحامات، في هذا التوقيت لاتوجد مظاهرات ولا فعاليات لكن النظام البحريني يمارس سياسة الترهيب على شعبه في كل الأوقات للإنتقام منهم وثنيهم عن مطالبهم .
هاجم المرتزقة عدة منازل من ضمنها منزل محمود كروف وقاموا بإعتقاله. والواضح أن النظام قام بإستهداف العائله حيث أعتقل مع محمود عدد من أقاربه.
محمود كروف البالغ من العمر 19 عام ، حالته الصحيه ليست جيدة و مصاب بحروق في جسمه ، يدرس محمود في معهد البحرين و يستعد للدراسه بالخارج وربما بطش النظام البحريني يضيع على محمود أخذ حقه الطبيعي في التعليم.
حاصر المرتزقة منزل محمود كروف و خرج لهم والده ، طلبوا منه تسليم محمود . دخل المرتزقة إلى حديقة المنزل. إقتحموا الطابق الأرضي بحجة التفتيش. وأثناء ما كان محمود ينزل من سلم المنزل كان المرتزقة يقومون بتصويره حتى اقتادوه بعض المرتزقة الملثمين معهم.
قبل خروجهم أخبروا أهله لا تسألوا عن إبنكم حتى العاشرة صباحاً. بعد العاشره بدت عائلة محمد بالبحث عنه بين مراكز الشرطة بلا جدوى. حتى أخبروهم بأن لايسألوا عنه إلا بعد يومين.
اليوم 29 مايو تلقت عائلة محمود إتصال منه أخبرهم أنه في ( الحوض الجاف ) وسيتم إحتجازه 60 يوم على ذمة التحقيق .
محمود والكثيرين غيره يعتقلهم النظام بلا جريمة ولا ذنب سوى للترهيب الذي يمارسه على أبناء الشعب ، يستمر النظام البحريني في تجاهل لتنفيذ توصيات لجنة تقصي الحقائق و إنتقادات المنظمات الدولية .
محمود و رفاقه يستحقون الحرية ، فهم ليسوا مجرمين بل طلاب حق ناضلوا من أجل كرامة الإنسان.
نطالب بتسليط الضوء على قضايا هؤلاء الشباب والمساهمه في تحريرهم من أيدي هذا النظام .
…more

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

Bahrain to Question Human Rights Defenders Participating in UPR Process
27 May, 2012 – Human Rights First

Washington, DC — Bahrain human rights defenders who were in Geneva earlier this week for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process are to be questioned by Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior on their return to Bahrain, Jalila al Salman told Human Rights First.

“We hear we are to be summoned for interrogation by the Ministry of Interior for speaking out about the crackdown when we were in Geneva earlier this week,” she told Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley.

Jalila Al Salman, vice president of the Bahrain Teachers Association, is one of a dozen human rights defenders and activists who were at the UPR to report on the Bahrain regime’s crackdown on human rights. She was detained, tortured and sentenced to three years in prison after an unfair military trial last year and is presently out of detention while her appeal is heard.

The President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Laura Dupuy Lasserre, expressed her concern that there would be repercussions for the Bahraini human rights defenders on their return home.

“… I wish to remind you that we are all duty bound to ensure that nobody is persecuted on his return to his country for having participated in meetings of the human rights council or other bodies,” she told the Bahrain government.

“Harassing human rights defenders is a hallmark of repressive regimes. Representatives of Bahraini civil society must not be targeted for speaking at the UPR,” said Dooley. …source

Militarization of Bahrain’s public health system
May, 2012 – Report Physicians for Human Rights

[Excerpt] – Two PHR investigators, Holly Atkinson, MD, and Richard Sollom, MPH, returned to Bahrain in April 2012 to assess the current human rights situation and to investigate potential ongoing violations of medical neutrality in Bahrain since April 2011. The team conducted 102 in-depth qualitative interviews, examined medical records and radio-graphic images, conducted two site visits to Salmaniya Hospital and an “underground clinic,” and interviewed patients, doctors, and government officials.

Under the Under the principle of medical neutrality, State authorities must ensure safe access to medical facilities and transport, and ensure the safety of medical workers and their patients. At the same time, medical workers must provide impartial care to all who seek their help. Over the past 14 months, however, the Government of Bahrain has denied a largely Shia segment of its population these rights, resulting in widespread fear among many who seek medical treatment.

According to over a dozen sick and wounded civilians whom PHR investigators interviewed in April 2012, this fear is due to:

• the ongoing presence of State security forces inside Salmaniya Hospital

• the systematic interrogation of incoming patients and visitors, and

• the subsequent beating, detention, and prosecution of many Shia who are suspected of having participated in street protests.

In addition to conducting 102 interviews, PHR investigators visited Salmaniya Hospital twice in April 2012 and confirmed eyewitness accounts that two to four Bahraini national guards man each of the nine exterior gates into Salmaniya Medical Complex.
…more – full report PDF