Bahrain: Summoning of Al-Marzouq is an emptying of the political conduct
18 Novemebr, 2012 – ABNA.co

The regime in Bahrain continues to suppress the opposition leaders and its masses through various methods, including summons and arbitrary extrajudicial arrests undertaken by the regime’s security services.

Bahrain: Summoning of Al-Marzouq is an emptying of the political conduct(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – The regime in Bahrain continues to suppress the opposition leaders and its masses through various methods, including summons and arbitrary extrajudicial arrests undertaken by the regime’s security services. As the criminal investigation directorate has summoned Mr.Khallil al-Marzouq, political assistant of al-Wefaq SG, Thursday 15th for reasons relating to freedom of opinion and expression, questioning him on his interactions with the media to explain the opposition’s stance towards the events in Bahrain.

The opposition forces condemn such measure and stress that this suppressive behavior of the regime aims to silence the opposition and tighten the media noose. This contradicts with the pledges made by the Bahraini regime before the BICI and the UN’s Human Rights Council to implement recommendations of the UPR to unconditionally respect freedoms of opinion and expression, the opposition said.

The state media controls all audio, visual and print media and does not grant the opposition access to media that is funded by public money. The opposition is even banned from issuing press journals.

The state media also disdains dissidents and incites hatred between communities of the Bahraini society. The state media is the one who spreads false news and relates it to international parties, and this entails transparent interrogation and apparent measures to stop the corruption of the official media. However, the opposition forces stated that opposition leaders, who have proved to the world their objectivity and sagacity, should not be persecuted.

The opposition forces warn the regime of consequences of its silencing policy and consider it an onslaught on the very tight remaining margin of freedom of opinion and expression, in order to prevent the opposition from practicing its right to clarify its stances. This contradicts with the regime’s claims of democracy in Bahrain. Such measures increase the possibility of a wider political conflict that could bring about unpredictable consequences.

The opposition forces bring forward the summoning of al-Marzouq to the international human rights organizations as an outrageous violation of human rights that must be condemned and put an end to. …more

Bahrain Cracks Down on Freedom
by Stephen Lendman – Steve Lendman blog – 17 November, 2012

The ruling Al Khalifa monarchy is one of the world’s most brutal dictatorships. It’s also a valued US ally. Bahrain is home to America’s Fifth Fleet.

Imperial priorities matter most. Washington backs Bahraini harshness. State terror is policy. Murder, torture, lawless imprisonments, and daily atrocities get tacit support.

Bahrain ruthlessly wages war on freedom. Fundamental human and civil rights are spurned. Activists, protesters, medical professionals treating them when injured, independent journalists, and others supporting right over might are brutalized and imprisoned.

Nabeel Rajab is one of Bahrain’s best. He’s a prominent human rights leader. Activism got him targeted. His resume includes many impressive credentials. In 1999, he and others co-founded the Bahrain Human Rights Society.

In 2002, he, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, and others co-founded the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR). Authorities terrorized its members for years. Nonetheless, it remains viable.

It promotes civil, political, and economic freedom, ending racial discrimination, and universal human and civil rights. Bahraini despots equate these principles with terrorism.

Last August, Bahrain’s Lower Criminal Court sentenced Nabeel to three years in prison. Supporting right over wrong in the emirate is dangerous. Expressing democratic views is criminalized. So is championing social justice publicly.

King Hamad calls peaceful protests “foreign plots.” Nabeel and others like him put their lives on the line for years. Bahraini activists face arrests, harsh interrogations, torture, and imprisonment. Media scoundrels largely ignore it.

Nabeel’s been in prison since July. He’s charged under Article 178 of Bahrain’s penal code. It prohibits unauthorized gatherings of five or more people for the “purpose of committing crimes (or) undermining public security, even if intended to achieve a legitimate purpose.”

His lawyers appealed. A Bahraini court delayed proceedings. Its ruling won’t be known until around mid-December. Peaceful protests are criminalized. State courts tolerate no challengers. They give kangaroos a bad name.

Bahrain banned protests earlier. On July 20, 2006, King Hamad ratified Code 32 on “Public Gatherings, Processions and Assembly.” Doing so amended the 1973 Decree No. 18. Human rights groups condemned the action. It lawlessly targeted free expression and peaceful gatherings. …source

Bahrain: Release and dismissal of charges against Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah
16 November, 2012 – fidh

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), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.

New information:

The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the release and the dismissal of charges against Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah, Acting Vice President and Head of Documentation Unit of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

According to the information received, on November 14, 2012, the Public Prosecution decided to release Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah and drop the charges of “participation in illegal protests” that had been pending against him since November 2, 2012. Mr. AlMuhafdhah had been detained arbitrarily since that day (see background information).

The Observatory welcomes these new developments and thanks all the persons, institutions and organisations who intervened in Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah’s favour. However, the Observatory recalls that two other BCHR members remain in detention, Messrs. Nabeel Rajab, BCHR President, Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and FIDH Deputy Secretary General, and Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, former BCHR President and former MENA Director at Front Line, and urges the Bahraini authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally, as their detention seems to merely aim at sanctioning and hindering their human rights activities. …more

BAHRAIN: The verdict on Nabeel Rajab’s appeal expected on December 11
8 November, 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Paris-Geneva, November 8, 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 Bahrain Appeals Court’s refusal to refer a petition for preliminary ruling on the legality of the law prohibiting demonstrations in Bahrain and to release Nabeel Rajab, who has been arbitrarily detained since July 9, 2012.

On November 8, 2012, the Bahrain Appeals Court resumed the hearing on the appeal against the three years’ imprisonment sentence pronounced against 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 [1], on August 16, 2012 by the Lower Criminal Court for three cases related to his participation in peaceful gatherings in favour of fundamental freedoms and democracy. The hearing was attended by Mr. Antoine Aussedat, French lawyer, who was mandated by the Observatory to conduct an international trial observation mission. He was the only observer mandated by an international NGO. Several diplomats representing France and the USA also attended the hearing.

During the hearing, a new request for Nabeel Rajab’s provisional release was rejected by the Court. Then eight videos were shown: five videos filed by the Prosecutor displaying images shot by the police on the demonstration in relation to which Nabeel Rajab had been arrested and three videos filed by the defence lawyers containing speeches or interviews attesting that Nabeel Rajab advocated for non violence, a video of a demonstration during which Nabeel Rajab was charged and hurt by the police and extracts from a pro-government TV broadcast in which Nabeel Rajad was depicted as a dangerous agitator and manipulator. The content of the videos was discussed by the court and the defence lawyers.

Finally the court denied a petition filed by his lawyers to refer to the Supreme Court a question for a preliminary ruling on the constitutionality and legality of the law banning demonstrations in Bahrain, with regard to international conventions and announced that the verdict would be made public on December 11, 2012.

“The issue of the legality of the law on gatherings is key. I deeply regret that the court refused to refer this fundamental question to the Supreme Court. It sends an alarming signal as to what could be the final outcome of this judicial process”, said FIDH President Souhayr Belhassen.

“We reiterate our concern about the continuing judicial harassment faced by Nabeel Rajab and his prolonged arbitrary detention, which seem to merely aim at sanctioning his legitimate human rights activities. Accordingly, the authorities must drop all charges held against him and immediately and unconditionally release him, in compliance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments ratified by Bahrain”, concluded OMCT Secretary General Gerald Staberock. …source

Sayyed Nasrallah: Obama Can Stop “Israeli” Assault with One Phone Call
by Nour Rida – 18 November, 2012 – moqawama.org

Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed Saturday the “Resistance has presented a great image of its steadfastness, wisdom, courage, and ability to confront the “Israeli” enemy.” He assured that “the major elements of the ‘Palestinian Resistance’ power include the action of resistance, the people of resistance and the support this people, which have surprised “Israel”.

He highlighted that the enemy’s declaration of soon launching ground Ops in Gaza is more likely hype rather than reality.
Addressing the hundreds of thousands at the Sayyed al-Shuhada complex on the 3rd night of Ashura, Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out “The people of Gaza possessing those elements will impose the situation on their foe, on their friends…”

He went on to say “Gaza has resisted and survived, and still is, whereas the Zionist entity which appeared invading on the political, security and military echelons was stunned.”

The “Israelis” have mistaken when they supposed they were able to destroy the missile capacity of the Resistance, especially since the first strikes. So far, the Resistance has the ability to bomb Tel Aviv, al-Quds (Jerusalem), and other places,” he said.

According to the Hizbullah Secretary General, “The Resistance is not in a situation to ask for a cease-fire, because this is not in its favor. Rather, the Palestinian Resistance has conditions among which is ending the siege on the Gaza Strip, it is talking about international commitments.”

Sayyed Nasrallah, pointing out the surprise of the “Israeli” enemy said “Just like during the July war, the “Israeli” authorities called on settlers to resort to shelters 40 km range from Gaza after the first day. The “Israeli” enemy presumed that after the two- or three-day bombing, the Resistance would supposedly cry and demand cease-fire at any price.”

To the “Israelis'” surprise, they had to resort to shelters 70 km range from the Gaza Strip soon, as the Palestinian Resistance launched its new long-range missiles, the Resistance leader iterated.

As for the Arab official reaction, Sayyed Nasrallah stated “We haven’t heard any threat to cut off relations or annul and suspend agreements, or to use oil as a weapon or raise its prices or reduce its production to put pressure on the US.”
He further added “We are still below the minimum expected from Arabs, who are required to pressure “Israel” to stop its aggression and respond to the legitimate conditions of Palestinian Resistance.”

His Eminence hoped that the Arab states take appropriate position, expressing fears that some Arab states might exert pressure on the resistance to abandon these legitimate conditions.”

Sayyed Nasrallah underscored that “(US President Barack) Obama can put an end for the war by a single phone call; yet he is still supporting “Israeli” action, which means he hasn’t heard any word from Arabs up till now.”

“Required is a real support to Gaza which is able to achieve decisive victory,” Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah concluded. …source

Bahrain regime forces target religious rituals, vandalize Ashura displays
17 November, 2012 – Shia Post

Al-Wefaq’s media center said that the regime is tightening against citizens’ religious freedoms and practice of religious rituals, as it has conducted a series of attacks on displays of Ashura in some areas around the country.

It further clarified that the forces’ attacks on religious freedoms comes amongst ongoing attacks against citizens revealing the mentality of the forces, and that such acts can only be perpetrated under high-ranked orders.

The media center pointed out that the Ashura event has been yearly held in Bahrain for as far as hundreds of years, and this reveals the deviant mentality of the regime forces against citizens. As the forces attack and provoke citizens rather than protect them.

Regarding threats by officials against religious freedoms, the median center stated that suppression of religious freedoms and freedom to practice religious rituals is a dangerous that the regime solely bears responsibility of.

Ashura is held in most countries around the world, even non-Islamic countries. The event yearly takes place in Europe, America, Africa, Australia and the Asian countries, yet, has not been attacked anywhere around the globe except Bahrain, where the regime disrespects and targets religious freedoms, it said.

Al-Wefaq called on citizens to document each and every violation and the regime forces’ harassments and intimidating behavior towards religious freedoms.

Al-Wefaq’s media center affirmed that religious freedoms in Bahrain are not subject to political use or bargaining, as the different sects of the Bahraini people have long respected these rituals and lived in harmony. The only one who appears not able to live with this is the regime that continuously attacks these rituals.

It further said that Ashura has been the front image of national unity, as both Sunni and Shia citizens have participated in this ritual, and the regime attempts to bring discord and build conflict in order to achieve its. …source

US Drones Target Killing claims 5390 Inconent Unarmed Citizens lives ,Just to target 110 Wanted By US – Congressman Dennis Kucinich
17 November, 2012 – Jafria News

JNN 17 Nov 2012 Washington D.C : On November 15, 2012 Congressman Dennis Kucinich was granted permission to address the U.S. House of Representatives for one minute. And in Just this short time the figures revealed by him , regarding the Drone attacks were Drastic .

“American drones in Pakistan have killed as many as 3,378 people. Drones in Yemen have killed as many as 1,952 people. Drones inSomalia have killed as many as 170 people. We’ve not declared war on any of these nations, but our weapons have killed innocent civilians in all of them. Highly reputable research shows that the number of high-level targets killed as a percentage of total casualties is estimated at about 2 percent.”

“According to The Washington Post, the Obama administration is working on efforts to institutionalize the practice of targeted killings by unmanned drones abroad. The volume of these killings challenges the morality and the legality of the attacks. We are creating a precedent for other nations that are developing the same technology. China has just unveiled a new drone”, he said.

“The drone program has thus far been conducted with no oversight from Congress or any judicial body. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that programs that are being conducted in the name of our Nation are legal, transparent, and accountable. We are holding a briefing tomorrow about this exact matter”, said Congressman Dennis Kucinich

The US Drone and their War against Terrorism have created a Hatred for US , among common Persons of these countries specially which are being Hit by drones attacks ,which is even in violation of the International Borders and sovereignity of any Independent country , and in General the Common Public of these countries are the worst enemies of Nations lIke Germany, Japan , Russia, China , Pakistan , Iran, Cuba , Venezula , and a lot of other countries.

The time has come that the US think tanks should start thinking , to do some thing good and Positive for the common Interest of these and other Nations , that before they are the Most Hated Nation of the World , and they are Isolated . As the US is also starting to lose the Power and Might it once had , and now with the weaken Economy and Recessions , they should do some Positive steps , that they can survive , in the changing world .

As if they become Isolated and Every countries , starts closing its doors for them , then it will be a disaster for whole of the US Nation , and they will be confined to Just North America , and even will not be possible for them to open routes to South America .

As it is also very heart Breaking that even with all these details publicized , the Human Rights Organisation , who say they fight for Global Human Rights , have kept a Mum over these Basic Human Right Violations by US , and Now People have also been of the view that these NGO , who are working in the Name of Human Rights and Protecting Nature and other causes are just Under cover , working for the US and CIA Interests and their aim is not providing relief to the common public , but to gather Information and Data for them. …source

Bahrain: Serious concerns over the Deterioration of Physical and Mental health of a Prisoner of Conscience
17 November, 2012 -Bahrian Center for Human Rights

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses grave concern over the physical and mental well-being of the prisoner of conscience, Ayman Abdulshaheed. AbdulShaheed suffers from Hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that is life threatening if subjected to physical harm or injuries. Despite his illness, he was allegedly beaten violently during his arrest and interrogation. His mental health deteriorated rapidly while he was in custody and he has been in the psychiatric hospital for more than two months now. With no regard to his health and the evidence of his innocence presented by his lawyer to the authorities, Ayman is still kept in detention at the psychiatric ward.

Ayman Abdulshaheed, a father of a two-year old girl, was arrested on 11 June 2012. He told the BCHR that masked men broke in his apartment at 3 am and beat him violently in front of his wife and daughter. His lawyer, Hussain Aqeel, said that Ayman is accused of “illegal gathering, rioting, arson and attempted murder” [1] although there is no evidence convicting him. In contrary, there are photos, videos and witnesses proving that Ayman was not at or near the crime scene at the time of the incident; however, they were ignored by the public prosecution, according to Hussain Aqeel. He was ordered to 60 days in detention which was extended more than once. …more