4 September, 2012 – BYSHR

1-Abdulwahab Hussain Ali ( life sentence imprisonment)
2-Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa ( 5 Years imprisonment)
3-Hassan Ali Mushaima.( life sentence imprisonment)
4-Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment)
5-Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment)
6-Mohammed Habib Al Safaf. ( Mohammed Habib Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
7-Saeed Mirza Ahmed. ( Saeed AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment)
8-Abduljalil Mansoor Makk. (Abdul Jalil Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
9-Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 5 years imprisonment)
10-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment)
11-Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment)
12-Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment))
13-Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan ( Abdulhadi AlMukhodher) ( 15 years imprisonment)

Defendants ( in Absentia) :

14-Akeel Ahmed Al Mafoodh.( 15 years imprisonment)
15-Ali Hassan Abdullah.( Ali Abdulemam) ( 15 years imprisonment)
16-Abdulghani Ali Khanjar.( 15 years imprisonment)
17-Saeed Abdulnabi Shehab.( life sentence imprisonment)
18-Abdulraoof Al Shayeb.( 15 years imprisonment)
19-Abbas Al Omran.( 15 years imprisonment)
20-Ali Hassan Mushaima.( 15 years imprisonment)

…more

The Observatory: BAHRAIN: Ongoing judicial harassment and arbitrary detention of Nabeel Rajab as criminalisation and threats against human rights defenders go unabated

2 October, 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Paris-Geneva, October 2, 2012 – The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), deplores the decision to further delay the trial on appeal of Mr. Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and FIDH Deputy Secretary General. Such ongoing judicial harassment and arbitrary detention is one more evidence of the continued criminalisation of human rights defenders’ activities.

On September 27, 2012, the Bahrain Appeals Court once more refused to release Mr. Nabeel Rajab on bail and further postponed the ruling on his appeal to October 16, 2012[1]. The Bahrain Appeals Court was seized by Mr. Rajab’s lawyers to contest the decision taken on August 16, 2012 by the Lower Criminal Court to sentence him to three years’ imprisonment for three cases related to his participation in peaceful gatherings in favour of fundamental freedoms and democracy. In addition, during the hearing, the court continued to deal with the three cases as separate cases, rejecting once more the request of the defence to merge them. Mr. Rajab has been detained since last July 9 and has been continuously denied release since then[2].

Moreover, during the hearing, the judge reportedly showed a DVD containing images of Mr. Nabeel Rajab at peaceful demonstrations arguing with an officer on the legality of the protest, as well as images of young people throwing Molotov cocktails during what the judge alleged was one of these protests. Mr. Rajab’s lawyers insisted that this last part did not take place at the same location nor time as those of the said peaceful protest. Mr. Rajab further recalled that none of the protests he attended had witnessed violence. Mr. Rajab’s lawyers s well as some observers who attended the hearing, consider that this part of the DVD consist in clear montages.

The Observatory is thus extremely concerned over the new postponement decided by the judge, as it aims at sanctioning Mr. Rajab’s human rights activities by keeping him in arbitrary detention. The Observatory further strongly denounces the montages broadcast in court, which clearly aim at discrediting Mr. Rajab and legitimate peaceful protests in general.

In addition, the Observatory deplores that, notwithstanding the commitments expressed on several occasion by the Bahraini authorities to make NGOs’ access to Bahrain easier, the visa request which was submitted by the Observatory on September 19, 2012 to the relevant authorities on behalf of an Observatory-mandated trial observer, was accepted only a few hours before the planned flight departure of the said observer, making it impossible for him to travel to Bahrain.

The Observatory further highlights that on September 26, Ms. Zainab Al-Khawaja, a human rights blogger who has been denouncing human rights violations of the Bahraini regime, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on the charge of destroying government property for publicly tearing a picture of the King of Bahrain. The Observatory recalls that Ms. Al-Khawaja has been detained for almost two months[3], and has therefore already served most of the sentence. It is however unsure whether she will be released in the following days or be kept in detention, as 12 other cases have been filed against her over the past months for her participation in peaceful protests.

The Observatory is also extremely concerned about the ongoing threats of reprisals targeting Bahraini human rights defenders who cooperate with the United Nations (UN). Most recently, on September 23, the defenders who travelled to Geneva to participate in the 21st session of the Human Rights Council have been accused of “defaming Bahrain” and labelled as “traitors to the country” by pro-governmental newspaper Al-Watan. One of them even reportedly received death threats through anonymous phone calls while he was in Geneva. …more

Welcome to the Fascist States of America
4 October, 2012 – by Thurman – Thurman’s Soap Box

Dear friends and family,

I am reassured to know that you have my back, and that you have done everything to prevent the US Government from threatening to detain me indefinitely without charge for my work as a journalist and citizen.

I am not one for cultivating an exaggerated sense of self-importance. I think it takes more character and courage to live in reality. Anybody who knows me personally, knows that if this can happen to me, it can and will happen to you or someone you know.

Since January 2011, I have covered the WikiLeaks release of US State Department Cables, JTF memoranda known as the ‘GTMO files’, and revolutions across Egypt, Bahrain, Iran, and Yemen, as well as the legal proceedings against Bradley Manning and the US investigation into WikiLeaks. I have interviewed a preeminent US foreign policy expert on the Cambodia cables, and published hours of interviews with former GTMO guards, detainees, defense lawyers, and human rights activists, as well as WikiLeaks media partners: Andy Worthington, a GTMO historian and author, and Atanas Tchobanov, the Balkanleaks’ spokesman and co-editor of Bivol.bg.

Why do I do this work? Because it moves me deeply. Because I am compelled to learn and to understand. The positive results of some of my work also grants me a sense of common purpose in service to my fellow man/woman.

When the US Government said in Federal Court that they would not guarantee that I would not be indefinitely detained without charge under Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act FY2012 for articles I had written on the ‘War on Terror’, you set aside partisanship. You realized that what is as stake is more than an election. What was at stake is the safety of your friend, your daughter, a fellow citizen or journalist, as well as this nation and people across the globe. The NDAA, after all, was passed with bi-partisan support, and signed into law by President Obama.

Section 1021 of the NDAA FY2012 allows for the indefinite detention without charges or trial of anyone, including American citizens, who are deemed by the US Government to be terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. The institutions of civil society – the press and civic square – are now what our military terms an information environment in a global theater of war. The ‘War on Terror’, our military says, is fought with intelligence and information. And, the US Government has already detained journalists at Guantanamo Bay under the AUMF seeking to gain intelligence on media organizations. The President has already played a personal role in the imprisonment of a journalist covering the US ‘War on Terror’ in Yemen.

When Government contractors falsely linked a group, which I helped found – whose only purpose is to support campaign finance reform in the United States – to Al Qaeda, you were outraged.

When I was sent messages by a Government contractor saying that I was now associated with Al Qaeda and so called ‘cyber-terrorists’, you spoke out.

When emails revealed that other private security contractors with ties to the US Government were “specifically asked to connect” the group that I helped found “to any Saudi or other fundamentalist Islamic movements,” you took action.

When US Department of Homeland Security bulletins declared in error that a group that I helped found was linked to so called ‘cyber-terrorists’, you contacted your representative and presidential candidate and expressed that their support of Section 1021 of the NDAA FY2012 had the consequence of your lack of support for their candidacy.

I am especially grateful to those individuals, including a fellow journalist, who warned me privately that there were other unpublished US Government documents and that US Government agents were focusing their sights on me. They cautioned me to take special care. They understood the consequences for me.

Citizenship is a public office, but who among us can risk engaging in the body politic authentically, when we have families to provide for? Who can risk publishing about the workings of Government, our alliances, and wars when you might end up in my position?

No matter what your party affiliation, Section 1021 of the NDAA FY 2012 violates the First and Fifth Amendments to the US constitution, the principles that safeguard the independence of our republic and any real freedom or lasting security for our citizens and all peoples.

If this could happen to someone like me, it can and will happen to someone like you or someone you know. None of us can afford that risk. Do something now.

Best regards,

Alexa O’Brien

..source

Jordanian lawyer: “Bahrain’s Al Khalifa regime is UK protege”
5 October, 2012 – Global Movement of Resistance

Interviewing with the Al-Alam news channel, Jawad Younis, the Jordanian attorney, accused the ruling regime of the tiny Persian Gulf island state of being anti-human rights, stressing that the country’s despotic government is trained by the UK intelligence agencies in repression, terrorism and rights violations.

He also added that the Al Khalifa regime’s existence is fundamentally wrong and illegitimate, insisting that the the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) countries are attempting to handle affairs with the aim of supporting the US’s conspiracy in the region.

Bahrain, the home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been the scene of anti-regime demonstrations since February 2011, in which scores of people have been killed and many others arrested in the brutal Saudi-backed crackdown.

Earlier in September, Katy Clark, the British Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, called on the UK government to review its relationship with the Bahraini regime, condemning Britain’s failure to support pro-democracy campaigns that are demanding the downfall of the ruling Al Khalifa family. …source

Bahrain Protests: Clashes Break Out In Manama
By BRIAN MURPHY – 5 October – Huffington Post

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Riot police in Bahrain used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising.

The demonstrators marched toward Pearl Square in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, after a funeral procession for a protester who died in custody. The government said the man died of a blood disease.

An Associated Press photographer said the demonstrators hurled firebombs and rocks at troops about 700 meters (yards) from Pearl Square, where crowds gathered in February 2011 as the Arab Spring-inspired uprising erupted in the Gulf nation.

Bahrain’s majority Shiites seek greater rights in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. At least 50 people have died in nearly 20 months of unrest.

Dozens of opposition leaders have been jailed, including human rights activist Nabeel Rajab whose family said he began a hunger strike Friday.

Rajab was temporarily freed from prison this week to attend his mother’s funeral, but the furlough was cut short after he delivered a speech urging for protests to continue.

Amid Protests, Bahrain’s Nabeel Rajab Begins Hunger Strike
5 October, 2012 – POMED

Bahraini riot police have reportedly used water cannons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach the former site of the Pearl Roundabout. Meanwhile, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expressed concern over imprisoned human rights defender Nabeel Rajab choice to participate in a hunger strike Friday. Rajab will abstain from taking food, water and medication in protest of what he calls unjust treatment. Rajab was briefly released from prison yesterday to attend his mother’s funeral but was quickly returned to jail. …source

#FREE HASSAN #BAHRAIN #
by Rita Nalette

Just met Enas, Hassans sis. She told me abt Hassan & how much he has been thru since feb14 #bahrain twitpic.com/82qj2j

As I mentioned before 18 yr old Hassan has been arrested 4 times be4. Today is the 5th arrest he has been subjected too #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Last time Hassan was arrested it was for three month, in those months he was subjected to torture #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Before that Hassan was injured twice, the first time he was shot with birshot, which spread all over his body #Bahrain #FreeHass

Hassan still has birdshot pellet in his head, others were taken out for him at home but 1z in his head needed an xray #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Hassan like so many protesters in #bahrain was too afraid to go to hospital and therefore still has pellets in his head #FreeHassan

The 2nd time he got injured when shot with stun grenade in his thigh & close to his eye, he fell & was arrested #Bahrain #FreeHassan
While Hassan was in prison he met the BICI, they promised he would get released within days. One of the many promises they broke #Bahrain

After that Hassan was frustrated and went on hungerstrike, he got tortured more severely after that #FreeHassan #Bahrain

after his hungerstrike the other detainees were prohibited from speakin to Hassan. ANy1 who spoke to him wud be put in solitary #Bahrain

The most person who tortured Hassan during the previous detentions was officer Yousif Mulla Bkheet #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Other than the sexual assault Bkheet also tortured Hassan by hanging him, making him stand on one leg for long hours #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Bkheet forced Hassan to make animal sounds, curse his sect & leaders. He also poured very hot & cold water on him #Bahrain #FreeHassan

But even after his release a month ago Hassan could not live in peace. The threatning phone calls and msgs started #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Bkheet is not even ashamed of his act & wrote to Hassan on BB we will catch u & rape u with the black hose again #Bahrain #FreeHassan

I read 1 msg, Bkheet uses very vile language and tells Hassan, “You will be the rape martyr when I get hold of you” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Hassans older brother is a political prisoner, Bkheet told him “We will get Hassan, tell him to say goodbye to his mum” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Hassans bro said “He’s only a kid” Bkheet replied “Becuz of him they’re writing my name on the walls” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

After Hassans release he told ppl abt the torture, on the village walls protesters wrote “Bkheet ur not above Gods law” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Hassan was brave enough to speak of what he was subjected to, many men who have been thru the same wud never speak out #Bahrain

Hassan is v. brave cuz he spoke out against his torturer who still holds a position, & joins attacks on the village #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Enas says last night her brother Hassan told her “If they get me this time, I wont come out again. Thats it” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

“he looked so serious, lately he had been so scared to sleep at home. He says he felt they’re coming for him” Enas #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Hassan told his sis “I want to study, if they arrest me again I wont be able to finish my studies” #Bahrain #FreeHassan

“this morning as I slept Hassan was talking to my dad abt the protests. I yelled @ him, Keep it down! I said” Enas #Bahrain #FreeHassan

Enas wonders if her beloved brother was right & whether she will c him again. Close to her sits her youngest bro Ahmed #Bahrain #FreeHassan

16 yr old Ahmed sits with us calmly drinking milk, altho he cudv been in jail with his bro #bahrain twitpic.com/82r1v6

After gov thugs in civilian clothes took Hassan away they went to Ahmeds school to arrest him, Ahmed afraid of arrest was not there #Bahrain

Ahmeds 2 older bros are political prisoners, he is on the run. He tells me “Take my pic, I might be a political prisoner tomorrow” #Bahrain

I looked arnd me, every1 of the boys has been arrested. Altho they dont have pics of Yousif, I can tell they know his face well #Bahrain

Another girl from Hassans village had enough 2day, yesterday they arrested her cuzn & 2day she heard abt Hassans arrest #bahrain #FreeHassan

She said also she heard form Hassans family abt the death threats and decided she had enough. #Bahrain

Brave Fatima carried a flag & a sign then walked to the police station alone #bahrain #FreeHassan twitpic.com/82r7m9

Fatima sat infront of the police station with her “Free the Political Prisoners” sign, when riot police came, she didn’t move #Bahrain

A yemeni police shouted at Fatima “Leave now! you have no permission to be here” Fatima said “Permission from who?” #Bahrain

The policeman said “u need permission from the gov” 16 yr old Fatima said to him “We never voted for this government” #Bahrain

Female police were brought, they shouted at Fatima, grabbed her flag & sign and dragged her into the police station #Bahrain

Fatima was interrogated with and forced to sign a pledge before being released. Respect to our brave Bahraini girls #Bahrain

Hassan believes he wud die in prison if arrested again, lets make sure that doesn’t happen. Lets all unite to #FreeHassan #Bahrain

Now with the family of Fakhriya Jassim, 55 yrs who passed away today after her health deteriorated from tear gas on New Years eve #bahrain

Fakhriyas son showing us his mums photo, saying she was fine until tear gas suffocated her #bahrain twitpic.com/82rr0u

Fakhriyas son says a day before she died his mother kept saying “this time the tear gas is different” she cud barely talk #bahrain

The night be4 being exposed to the teargas Fakhriya was fine, she went out shopping #bahrain twitpic.com/82rrzj

Fakhriyas husband says “my wife is one of many who have died from this poison. Some reported and many not even reported” #bahrain
#USteargas

Martyr Fakhriya has left behind 5 children and 10 grandchildren. #bahrain #USteargas

When she cud speak Fakhriya asked her son to prepare her coffin, she asked him to close the windows & said “I feel its killing me” #bahrain

One of Fakhriyas sons says “we’re all suffering from the tear gas, all of us… sunnis and shia” #bahrain #USteargas

Fakhriyas son was arrested twice, the last time in november she got very scared when dozens of riot police stormed her house #bahrain

I’m sitting with some of the women who were with Fakhriya right before she was exposed to the teargas, they say she was fine #bahrain

They say “mullayah Fakhriya was such a strong woman, so outspoken and loved” #bahrain

The girl who saw her last before being taken to hospital said Fakhriyas lips were bluish, and she kept pointing to her chest #bahrain

The girl asks “what is in this teargas??! Where do they bring this poison from?!” #USteargas #bahrain

Some of the tear gas used on that night beside Fakhriyas house was green in colour, say her family #bahrain #USteargas

Baby Yaseen was born one day after his father, Fakhriyas son, was released from prison. #bahrain twitpic.com/82s68k

..source