Courageous Women Protest in the region Eastern – Arabian Peninsula
July 12, 2012 No Comments
Bahrain MOI fabricated “explosives discovery” and “terroist arrest” used to “impress” Saudi-American Security Mission
Bahrain Feature: The “Security” Web — The Kingdom Talks with Saudi Arabia, Britain, and the US
12 July, 2012 – John Horne in EA WorldView
Bahrain’s Commander-in-Chief Hosts US CENTCOM CommandersWhilst meetings are part of every government’s day, a series of encounters in the past week suggest that security and Saudi union is again very much on the mind of Bahrain — and its allies.
The backdrop to this activity took place on Sunday, when the Bahrain Interior Minister, Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, visited his Saudi counterpart, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Saudi Gazette reported, “The talks focused on the recent raids by the Bahraini security forces that resulted in the uncovering of ‘terrorist hideouts’ and seizure of materials used for manufacturing explosive devices.” The Prince “lauded the cooperation between the two countries in security aspects”. Interestingly, the regime’s Bahrain News Agency buries this comment, following three paragraphs of what it describes as a “brotherly visit” by the Bahrain minister.
On Monday, US CIA Director David Petraeus was in Saudi Arabia for separate meetings with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, discussing “matters of common concern”.
On his return from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the Bahrain Interior Minister met with the UK Ambassador Iain Lindsay, along with Deputy Ambassador Russ Kick. This follows a series of meetings the Interior Minister had in the UK a fortnight ago, during which the alleged bomb-making equipment was discovered in Bahrain. Scotland Yard subsequently sent specialist detectives to help with the investigation.
The Interior Minister saw Ghanim bin Fadl Al Buainain, Bahrain’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs who “lauded the pioneering role of the Saudi diplomacy, describing it as a successful model of the GCC joint political and diplomatic work regarding various regional and international issues.”
On the same day, the US Deputy Ambassador Stephanie Williams sat down with Prime Minister Court Chief Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa, who “underlined both countries’ keenness to further solidify strategic relations of cooperation in the political, economic, trade and security fields”. Yesterday, Deputy Ambassador Williams met with Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss “current progress in bilateral friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America”.
Concluding this curious flurry of meetings, yesterday USA-CENTCOM’s Commander Lt-General David L. Goldfein met with Bahrain Defence Force Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. State media reports the BDF Commander-in-Chief as having “explored with him bilateral cooperation relations and military coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the friendly (sic) United States of America. Also during the meeting, the two sides explored various topics of mutual interest”. …more
July 12, 2012 No Comments
NGOs need to move beyond usual litany of “blog entries” and “condemnations” – maybe call for a Global “Economic Blockade of Bahrain”
International NGOs denounce the new arbitrary detention of Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab
11 July, 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights
The Observatory
The Observatory denounces the new arbitrary detention of Mr. Nabeel Rajab, which seems to merely aim at hindering his human rights activities and at stifling his attempts to fight corruption in Bahrain. The Observatory also recalls that normally, Courts issue fines for cases of libel, and not imprisonment sentences.
The Observatory calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Rajab, and is extremely concerned about the fact that four cases have been filed against him since May 2012.
The Observatory more generally urges the Bahraini authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment – including at the judicial level – against Mr. Rajab, and to comply with the relevant international norms and standards, in particular the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, and international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Bahrain.
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Bahrain must immediately release a prominent human rights activist and prisoner of conscience sentenced to three-month’s in prison following his conviction for libel, after the authorities took exception to a post he made on Twitter, Amnesty International said today.
“Nabeel Rajab’s imprisonment is the latest example of how, despite government promises to introduce reforms following its violent crackdown on protesters in 2011, few improvements have been seen on the ground. It’s clear that repression of freedom of expression is continuing with impunity in Bahrain,” said Ann Harrison, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Programme Director.
“Like many others in Bahrain, Nabeel Rajab is a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. He should be released immediately and all other charges or convictions against him dropped or overturned. The authorities must also act to ensure that all human rights defenders are able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal.”
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HRW – The Bahraini authorities should immediately release the prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and overturn his conviction for posting an “insulting” tweet, which violates his freedom of expression. The authorities should immediately suspend, and then abolish, the use of any criminal laws that violate freedom of expression, including those that criminalize “insults” and peaceful criticism of the government.
“If anyone is guilty of insult today, it is the Bahraini government, which has reminded citizens they’re not free to express political views,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Using masked men to arrest Rajab, a champion of peaceful protest and human rights, would be laughable if the reality wasn’t so tragic.”
Reporters Without Borders strongly condemns the latest conviction and three-month sentence imposed on the activist Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, for posting messages on Twitter on 2 June that were alleged to be libellous.
The eagerness with which the authorities have pursued Nabeel Rajab, whose only crime was to express himself freely, is yet another affront to human rights activists,” the press freedom organization said. “The international community must step up its pressure on the kingdom, which is pursuing its crackdown against dissident voices with impunity.
“We urge Bahrain’s judicial authorities to concentrate its efforts on the cases of torture and serious human rights violations of the past few months and to call the perpetrators to account.”
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July 12, 2012 No Comments
US, British, Israeli Spy Agencies Responsilbe for Bahraini People’s Suffering
Commander Blames US, British, Israeli Spy Agencies for Bahraini People’s Suffering
12 July 2012 – The Islamic Invitation Turkey
Commander of Iran’s Basij (volunteer) force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi took the US, British and Israeli spy agencies responsible for the Bahraini people’s agony and the suppression of their uprising against the tyrannical rule of the al-Khalifa regime.
“What has stood against the integrated campaign of the Bahraini people is not al-Khalifa and al-Saud but the US, Britain and the Zionist regime,” Naqdi said, addressing a ceremony in Ahwaz city on Thursday.
“These are the US and Britain that identify the Jihadi groups by their spy networks and provide the Wahhabi torturers with (information about them),” he added.
Naqdi reiterated that if the US, British and Israeli spy agencies hadn’t helped the al-Khalifa regime with the suppression of the Bahraini people’s uprising, the Bahraini and Saudi rulers had fled their strongholds long time ago.
Bahrain, a US ally ruled by the Al Khalifa family, has been in turmoil since protests broke out in February last year.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty’s over-40-year rule.
Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar – were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13, 2011, to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.
So far, more than 69 people have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and thousands of others have been injured.
Police clampdown on protesters continues daily. Authorities have tried to stop organized protests by opposition parties over the past month by refusing to license them and using tear gas on those who turn up.
The opposition coalition wants full powers for the elected parliament and a cabinet fully answerable to parliament. …source
July 12, 2012 No Comments
Opportunists Court Russia over Syria like Sharks swimming in bloody water
Erdogan to visit Russia next week
12 July, 2012 – Al Akhbar
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves for Russia next Wednesday to discuss the developments in Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his office announced Thursday.
“Significant regional and international developments led by Syria are on the table to be discussed thoroughly,” during Erdogan’s visit, the written statement said.
The talks are a new link in the chain of effective dialogue at the highest level between Turkey and Russia, the statement added.
Ankara and Moscow remain at odds regarding the armed conflict between President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the opposition that has claimed thousands of lives since mid-March last year.
Erdogan’s one-day visit comes after Ankara clashed with Damascus over the downing of a Turkish warplane on June 22 by Syrian fire over the Mediterranean and the death of its two crew.
Turkey viewed the incident as a hostile act and has taken steps to fortify its border with Syria, while Russian media outlets, citing unnamed Russian officials, placed the blame on the “provocative” Turkish fighter, which illegally entered Syrian airspace.
Turkey, a one-time ally of Damascus, has actively supported Syrian rebels, including providing them sanctuary on Turkish soil. Moscow has previously criticized foreign powers arming rebel groups as undermining peace efforts.
Turkey shelters more than 37,000 refugees on its side of the border with Syria, where rebel forces made up of Syrian army defectors are also based. …source
July 12, 2012 No Comments
First International Festival of Independent Filmmakers “NEW HORIZON”
The First International Festival of Independent Filmmakers “NEW HORIZON”
5 July, 2012
It is our pleasure to announce the first international festival of Independent Filmmakers (NEW HORIZON). In collaboration with the Cinematic Organization of I.R.Iran, the festival will focus on social and political issues addressed over the recent surge of change and awakening throughout America, Europe and Islamic countries. The event will take place on September 1st, 2012 in Tehran.
Mission & Objective
Our mission is to create a platform where independent filmmakers and scholars from around the world can gather and feature their films. The festival also aims to provide academic grounds for profound debates on various aspects of world cinema and to encourage confrontations with the realities of our global society.
Key dates and deadlines
* Submission deadline August 10th, 2012
* Announcement of results August 15th, 2012
Festival/ Conference opening September 1st, 2012 *
* Closing Ceremonies September 5th, 2012
Festival Sections:
* Primary competitions
Short and Semi-feature Films (maximum 52 minutes)
Feature Films (60 minutes or longer)
* Peripheral meetings and Workshops
Topics
The Occupy movement in Wall Street America and Europe
The fall of regional monarchies and awakening movements in Islamic countries
The economic crisis in Europe and America
The role of Lobbies in the current American and European crisis
Resistance against occupation
Anti-war movements
Islam phobia and Iran phobia
A world toward sustained justice
A World without terrorism and nuclear weapons
July 12, 2012 No Comments
Dr. Cavell on Amal Society Banned by al Khalifa Regime
July 12, 2012 No Comments
US still seeks dominance over post-revolutionary Mideast
US still seeks dominance over post-revolutionary Mideast, North Africa
9 July, 2012 – By Colin S. Cavell – PressTV
Many observers, jaded by years of US indifference to the tyrannical rule of its autocratic client states, dismissed Obama’s proclamation as mere propaganda without substance. Subsequent US actions to support ‘democratic’ transitions since have both surprised regional analysts in some ways while confirming the worst of American intentions to others. However, one thing most are becoming increasingly in agreement on is the further articulation of a new US democratic model for the MENA countries in an attempt to perpetuate its continued dominance over the region.”
In the center along the North Africa coast is Libya. To its west sits Tunisia and Algeria. Facing Libya from its south is Niger, Chad, and Sudan. And to its east lies Egypt.
Flanked by six fellow African countries, Libyans are psychologically oriented towards its north which is rimmed by the Mediterranean Sea. In the northwest of the country lies the capital city of Tripoli. To the northeast sits Benghazi. And in the north center of the country, along the Mediterranean, and about midway between these rival locales, is the city of Sirte, birthplace of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, as well as the town in which he was slain in October of 2011 after 41 years of rule. Muslim-oriented for centuries, Libya and its North African neighbors, are now acting out, each in its own manner, the Arab Spring of democratic revolts.
In the far west of the Maghreb, or the western most countries which fell to the Islamic conquests of the seventh century, King Mohamed VI of Morocco acted quickly, following the self-immolation of Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, to defuse the growth of a nascent domestic oppositional movement and proposed constitution reforms which were overwhelmingly approved by the country’s citizenry on July 1, 2011. The reforms give more powers to the parliament and prime minister and specifically require the king to appoint the government’s Prime Minister from the party which wins the most seats in competitive elections, rather than, as previously, appointing whomever he pleased. For his quick action, Mohamed VI may indeed have bought some time for the prolongation of Morocco’s 340-year-old Alaouite royal dynasty, though the democratic restructuring demanded by the Arab Spring cannot be put off indefinitely, and more power will need to be grasped by citizens’ elected representatives before there is genuine social peace.
Following the forced departure of Tunisia’s 23-year dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, who fled to Saudi Arabia, democratic elections for a new Constituent Assembly were held later that year in October. The contested elections were won by the Islamist Al Nahda party (also known as Ennahda, which translates as “The Awakening”) with 41% of the vote for a total of 90 seats in the new 217-member parliament. Its nearest rival was the secularist Congress for the Republic (CPR) party which garnered almost 14% of the vote, securing 30 seats in the assembly. More importantly, the new democratic atmosphere ushered in a proliferation of newspapers where freedom of inquiry and speech are no longer taboo subjects.
Adjacent to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez, the people of Egypt cast their votes in a run-off presidential election on June 24, 2012 catapulting Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi to victory over his secularist rival former General Ahmed Shafik. With a narrow three percentage point advantage over the ex-dictator’s henchman, Morsi ushered in the first democratic elections for the country’s leader, as citizens looked forward to a new democratic social contract after the 30-year dictatorial rule of Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February 2011. The pro-democracy demands of the hundreds of thousands of protesters who daily jammed Tahrir Square in Cairo, the focal point of the rebellion, have unleashed a fury of pent-up emotions from a population sick and tired of autocratic or one-person rule.
And, this past weekend, the National Transition Council in Libya held its first democratic elections following the downfall of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, established by the General People’s Congress (GPC) under the direction of Gaddafi in 1977. The NTC’s July 7th vote will establish a new 200-member General National Congress (GNC) whose task is to draft a new constitution before calling for a new round of general elections. With 80% of its nearly three million voting-age citizens eligible to vote, early poll results are indicating a victory by a coalition called the National Forces Alliance (NFA), led by former Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril el-Warfally, who chaired the executive board of the National Transitional Council from March to October of 2011 during Libya’s civil war. The oppositional Muslim Brotherhood allied Justice and Construction Party, led by Mohamed Sowan, is presenting the biggest challenge to the NFA’s self-declared non-ideological “inclusive” coalition. Final results are expected later this week. …more
July 12, 2012 No Comments