Repression Against Anarchists Intensifies
8 January, 2013

Portland, Oregon – Two recent developments indicate an intensification of the government’s campaign against the anarchist movement in the Pacific Northwest.

In late December, the three grand jury resisters being held at the Sea-Tac Detention Center for their refusal to testify were moved into solitary confinement. No explanation has been given for why they were moved.

In a letter describing the situation, Kteeo wrote:

“Prison is incredibly fucked up even at the best of times, but that doesn’t mean people can’t create community within these circumstances. We do. When I was in my unit I was part of a community. I gave support and received support. I learned from people and I taught. My unit doesn’t have educational opportunities so we created our own. I taught math, reading, and lead a workout group. I was part of something, part of laughter and part of tears; part of a shared experience (not that any of us want to be part of a this). I was a part of growth, part of a community that comes together again and again as our units make up changes. But I am no longer in that unit, no longer in that community.”

The Committee Against Political Repression is calling for the discontinuation of the use of solitary confinement for any purpose, and for the immediate release of Matt Duran, Kteeo Olejnik, and Maddy Pfeifer.

In an unrelated case, in Portland, a young man accused of firebombing an empty police car was released on bail, under the condition that he have no contact with any anarchist organizations. He was specifically ordered not to have contact with Resist the NW Grand Jury or the prisoner support group Anarchist Black Cross, clearly indicating that prosecutors want to prevent him from receiving legal, political, or personal support that would aid in his defense.

These developments come after a year which has seen, in addition to the grand jury hearings, SWAT raids against activists in Portland and Seattle, a grotesque inflation of charges in a Portland case involving small-scale vandalism, and indictments against five people accused of participating in a Seattle May Day demonstration where government and corporate property was attacked. Similar events have played out simultaneously in the Bay Area, and elsewhere in the country, forming what critics have called a Federal anti-anarchist witch hunt.

CAPR believes that the governments most recent actions confirm what we have said all along: The state is using the legal system to target the anarchist movement, in the process criminalizing a set of political beliefs and associations. We decry the use of inquisitorial tactics such as secret hearings, coerced testimony, guilt-by-association, and torture in the form of solitary confinement.

CAPR is asking its supporters to call Sea-Tac (206-870-5700) and demand an end to the use of solitary confinement, and to call US Attorney Jenny Durkan (800-797-6722) demanding an end to the grand jury investigation.

************************************

Kteeo’s Letter from Solitary

Hey Everybody,

First off, I want to thank all of you so much for all of the incredible support being thrown my way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

So here I am back in SHU (solitary) and I’m not sure why. It’s been four days and I haven’t been told yet, but I’m sure I’ll know soon enough…. So now, not only have I been taken away from my community, my loved ones on the outs, but now I have been taken away from the community on the inside, my unit….

I want to be very clear: Prison is incredibly fucked up even at the best of times, but that doesn’t mean people can’t create community within these circumstances. We do.

When I was in my unit I was part of a community. I gave support and received support. I learned from people and I taught. My unit doesn’t have educational opportunities so we created our own. I taught math, reading, and lead a workout group. I was part of something, part of laughter and part of tears; part of a shared experience (not that any of us want to be part of a this). I was a part of growth, part of a community that comes together again and again as our units make up changes.

But I am no longer in that unit, no longer in that community.

So here I am back in the SHU.… my rec yard time is now very limited (the yard isn’t actually outside, it’s fresh air and room to roam). I’ll be real, the lack of space and fresh air is hard. The very little freedoms (you know like, choosing when to take a shower…) are gone.

I think that the hardest part of this is that being in solitary (like all parts of prison) doesn’t just affect the person in solitary, this experience doesn’t just affect me. Being in the SHU you get one phone call a month. One. 1. o-n-e. That affects people. Friends, families… I know this is true for my own. It’s a whole lot harder to ask my parents, family, and friends to trust that I am OK when I can only call them once a month. Prior to the SHU, I would call my parents once a day and a good friend or two once a week…. I could let my loved ones know in real time that I was ok.

Its not ok how much this affects others and I truly believe that is an intentional part of punishment. The prison knows that it hurts us to hurt our loved ones.
But it is not all bad. I’m figuring out ways to stay fit in my cell. I’m learning so much about myself and getting really good at enjoying my own company, and I’m getting more study time.

Oh yeah, everything is bright orange, like, everything! So, that’s pretty rad; like the Destiny’s Child video for Say My Name….

Anywho, knowing this isn’t breaking me, knowing that I’m still laughing, still smiling, makes me feel stronger than ever before.

Keep smiling, keep struggling.
In solidarity and gratitude,

Kteeo

P.S. I can totally get letters, but please continue to be patient with me. Return time may be even longer. Postage has got to stretch a bit further these days.

Bahrain forces attack anti-regime rally with teargas canisters, rubber bullets
5 January, 2013 – PressTV

Bahraini security forces have attacked demonstrators protesting the Al Khalifa regime’s ongoing crackdown on peaceful protests, Press TV reports.

The Saudi-backed forces also fired teargas canisters and rubber bullets at rallying crowd in the village of Mugaba near Manama on Friday.

Villagers were out on the streets in solidarity with political prisoners and those prosecuted by the regime. Similar protests were also held in several other villages and towns.

Since a popular revolution began in Bahrain in mid-February 2011, scores have been killed, many of them under torture while in custody, and thousands more detained.

Bahraini authorities have also dismissed hundreds of people from their jobs for taking part in peaceful anti-regime demonstrations.

A report, published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011, found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown on protests, criticizing Manama for torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.

Bahrainis say they will continue to hold anti-regime demonstrations until their demands for the establishment of a democratically-elected government and an end to rights violations are met. …source

Bahrain court verdict against jailed activists sparks protests
7 January, 2013 – PressTV

Angry protests have erupted in Bahrain in reaction to a court verdict against 13 jailed opposition activists.

Protesters set tires on fire and blocked main roads in several towns and villages near the capital, Manama, on Monday, when Bahrain’s highest court upheld sentences handed down to the political activists for organizing demonstrations against the Al Khalifa regime.

A military court originally issued the sentences in 2011. The rulings, which range from five years in prison to life sentences, were upheld by a civilian court in September 2012.

The Monday ruling was the last chance the 13 had to reverse their convictions, which Amnesty International has described as an outrage. The rights organization has urged the Bahraini regime to overturn the sentences.

Those given life sentences include prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and opposition leader Hassan Mushaima.

The Bahraini uprising began in February 2011. The regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

Bahraini police have frequently used tear gas and rubber bullets against the demonstrators. Security forces have also arrested hundreds of people, including doctors and nurses.

A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011, found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown. It accused Manama of torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.

Bahraini protesters say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met. …source

Bahrain defies BICI report in sentence over death of Karim Fakhrawi
7 January, 2013 – Bahrain Justice and Development Movement

The sentencing of two policemen over the death of opposition politician and journalist Karim Fakhrawi shows a blatant disregard for the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

The two were jailed for seven years each, with the charges relating to abuse of a prisoner. In doing so it divorces the case from the systematic torture highlighted in the BICI and treats the case as an isolated incident of abuse rather than torture.

Karim Fakhrawi, killed in detention

The BICI referred to the incident saying, “the witnesses claimed that they had heard him screaming, “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) after every blow he received, and that all of a sudden he stopped. The witnesses stated that after the deceased stopped screaming, they heard one person say to another,“ You killed him.”

Concluding that, “the death of Mr Fakhrawi is attributed to torture while in the custody of the NSA.”

The BICI also made clear that torture whilst in detention was not a one-off thing saying, ““On the basis of the Commission’s investigation and particularly the forensic medical reports, it finds that the NSA and MoI followed a systematic practice of physical and psychological mistreatment, which in many cases amounted to torture, with respect to a large number of detainees in their custody.”

Such a conclusion could not be clearer and the decision to sentence two officers for just 7 years is a clear defiance of the BICI recommendation to “establish a national independent and impartial mechanism to determine the accountability of those in government who have committed unlawful or negligent acts resulting in the deaths, torture and mistreatment of civilians with a view to bringing legal and disciplinary action against such individuals, including those in the chain of command, military and civilian, who are found to be responsible under international standards of “superior responsibility”.”

Despite paying lip service to the BICI, this sentencing only serves to prove the lack of respect the authorities in Bahrain are paying to the BICI. In November 2012 Bahrain received widespread condemnation for failing to implement the BICI, including the Chair of the Commission Cherif Bassiouni.

The BICI aimed to avoid the scapegoating of low-level officers for crimes that clearly go beyond the perpetrators. What’s more the sentence of just 7 years for murder, caused by torture, can be compared to the life sentences handed out to opposition figures that have always called for peaceful protest. …more

Uprising verdict shows Bahrain courts can’t protect rights: groups
By Rania El Gamal – 8 January, 2013 – Reuters

(Reuters) – An appeals court ruling confirming prison terms for 13 protest leaders in Bahrain this week shows that the Gulf Arab state’s judicial system is flawed and unable to protect basic rights, international watchdog groups said.

Bahrain, a U.S. ally against Iran and home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, has been in political ferment since a street revolt led by majority Shi’ite Muslims erupted in early 2011, part of a tide of unrest against autocratic rulers across the Arab world.

On Monday, Bahrain’s highest appeals court upheld sentences ranging from five years in prison to life that were originally handed down by a military court in June 2011 to protest leaders, a ruling that could kindle further unrest.

Bahrain’s case has stirred international criticism, with U.S. officials calling for acquittals to help restore calm and stability in the island monarchy.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said its own investigation showed that evidence against the convicted men was based on public statements in which they called only for reforms and on confessions apparently obtained through coercion.

“The mind-boggling verdicts in these cases did not mention a single recognizable criminal offence, instead pointing to speeches the defendants made, meetings they attended, and their calls for peaceful street protests in February and March 2011,” said Joe Stork, HRW’s deputy Middle East director.

“Bahrain’s Cassation Court has proven its inability to protect the most basic rights guaranteed in Bahrain’s constitution and the international treaties it has signed,” he said in a statement.

The government says Bahrain’s courts are independent, though the Sunni Muslim ruling Al Khalifa family holds senior cabinet portfolios including justice and key posts in the judiciary.

The Court of Cassation is headed by an Al Khalifa relative and King Hamad heads the Supreme Judicial Council.

In Geneva, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly said she “regrets” the convictions despite “conclusions of the Bahrain independent commission of inquiry and appeals by the international community concerning the judicial procedure and allegations of torture”.

“These persons are political and human rights activists and we are concerned they may have been convicted wrongly for legitimate activities,” Pouilly told a news briefing on Tuesday.

Widespread and excessive use of force, including confessions under torture, was detailed by the commission of international legal experts in November 2011, and they recommended measures to stop such practices.

“TOEING THE GOVERNMENT LINE”

Amnesty International said the ruling highlighted “flaws” in Bahrain’s justice system and the defendants should be released.

“This unjust decision will confirm the view of many that the judiciary is more concerned about toeing the government’s line than upholding the rule of law and the rights of all Bahrainis,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of London-based Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa programme.

The main charges the protest leaders faced were “forming a terrorist group with intent to overthrow the system of government”, as well as collaboration with a foreign state – an allusion to Iran which Bahrain says fomented the unrest.

The men denied all charges, saying they wanted only democratic reform. They also deny links to Iran over the protests, and Tehran for its part has denied involvement.

The government, backed by troops from Saudi Arabia and police from the United Arab Emirates, put down the uprising with martial law in March 2011. Thousands were arrested and military trials conducted.

Bahrain says it is now instituting a range of political, legal, police, education, media and other reforms.

But opposition leaders have dismissed those plans as cosmetic and protests have continued, albeit on a reduced scale.

Police and demonstrators clash almost daily and each side blames the other for the violence and the absence of talks to end the conflict.
…source

Bahrain: Statement by Front Line Defenders as Final Appeal of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja Rejected
7 January, 2013 – fidh

On 7 January, 2013 the highest appeal court in Bahrain upheld the sentences of 13 activists, including prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a former Protection Co-ordinator for Front Line Defenders and former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

It has been reported by the defence lawyers involved that this was the last possibility for these men to overturn their convictions. Those imprisoned are serving sentences ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment on a variety of charges relating to the protest movement that emerged in Bahrain in 2011.

Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has received the Freedom Award for his work as a human rights defender from Freedom House, is currently serving a life sentence. He was originally sentenced on 22 June 2011 by a military court created under ‘national security law’ under various charges, including “organising and managing a terrorist organisation”, “attempt to overthrow the Government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country” and “collection of money for a terrorist group”. A civilian retrial was granted following the report issued by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), but some charges were only slightly changed. The torture Abdulhadi suffered in prison has yet to be investigated or punished, and it was not considered during his various hearings.

Front Line Defenders is unsurprised by the decision of the Bahraini court, which has yet to indicate that the recommendations of the BICI for meaningful reform are being taken seriously or implemented by the government. Front Line Defenders remains dismayed by the outrageous imprisonment of this remarkable human rights defender. …source

Al-Khawaja loses final appeal against life sentence
Peter Stanners – 8 January, 2013 – Copenhagen Post

Human rights activists in Bahrain have their life sentences upheld and can now only be saved by a royal pardon
Abdulhadi al-Khawaja has had his life sentence upheld by a Bahraini court and can now only be saved by a royal pardon (Photo: Scanpix)

Danish human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is among 13 activists who have exhausted all their opportunities for release after their convictions were upheld by the Bahraini appeals court on Monday.

The activists were among 20 who were sentenced for their roles in the 2011 anti-government protests that called for increased human rights and greater freedoms for the Shia Muslim majority.

The government, run by the Sunni Muslim royal family, responded to the protests by initiating a brutal clampdown with the help of troops from neighbouring Sunni states.

Al-Khawaja and seven others were given life sentences after being convicted of plotting to overthrow the state − sentences that remain in place despite strong international pressure on the Bahraini government.

Al-Khawaja’s 110-day hunger strike, that ended last May, also proved ineffective in securing his release.

According to the BBC, the men’s lawyers said it was their last chance to have their sentences overturned or reduced.

Stinne Lyager Bech from Amnesty International told state broadcaster DR that while the court’s decision was expected, it was still disappointing.

“It’s a shame and a scandal that his sentence has once again been upheld by the Bahrain court,” Lysager said. “He shouldn’t be sitting in jail; he’s done nothing more than peacefully fight for democracy and human rights.”

Lysager added that the international community should continue to place pressure on the Bahraini government in order to secure the release of the human rights activists. A pardon by the Bahraini king remains the last option for the activists.

The foreign minister, Villy Søvndal, said in a press release that he was also disappointed by the appeal court’s verdict and that Denmark would continue to support the plight of al-Khawaja and the other jailed human rights activists.

“It’s important to highlight that we are talking about a Danish citizen who has been sentenced for speaking out in his struggle for human rights, and who has also been tortured,” Søvndal wrote. “Abulhadi al-Khawaja’s continued work promoting democracy and respect for human rights is widely known. Together with the countries that support Denmark’s position, including the EU and the UN, we will examine further options that could lead to the release of al-Khawaja and the other human rights and democracy advocates in Bahrain.”

Dozens have died and around 3,000 people have been arrested by Bahraini authorities due to the uprising, including doctors who were punished for treating injured protesters.

Al-Khawaja fled to Denmark in the 1980s and was awarded political asylum because of the persecution he faced in Bahrain for his human rights work. He took on Danish citizenship in the 1990s and returned to Bahrain to continue his work in the early 2000s following some political reform in the country.

In October, he was awarded the Freedom Prize by Politiken newspaper in recognition of his work in the region. …source

Bahrain: Ongoing judicial harassment of Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah

URGENT APPEAL – THE OBSERVATORY

8 January, 2013 – World Organization Against Torture

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 judicial harassment of 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 January 9, 2013, Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah will appear before the Fourth Lower Criminal Court to face charges of spreading false information on Twitter. He faces a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to 100 BD.

The Observatory strongly condemns the continued arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of Mr. AlMuhafdhah, and calls on the Bahraini authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, as it seems to merely aim at sanctioning and hindering his human rights activities.

The Observatory more generally reiterates its call on the Bahraini authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment – including at the judicial level – against all human rights defenders in Bahrain, and to comply with all international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Bahrain, in particular the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998.

Background information:

On September 23, 2012, Mr. AlMuhafdhah and other Bahraini human rights defenders who cooperated with the United Nations (UN) received threats of reprisals while they were in Geneva to participate in the 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council. The pro-governmental newspaper Al-Watan accused Mr. AlMuhafdhah and other human rights defenders of “defaming Bahrain” and labelled them as “traitors to the country”.

On November 2, 2012, Mr. AlMuhafdhah was arrested in Duraz while he was documenting the injury of a man who was shot by bird-shot pellets at a protest earlier that day. Mr. AlMuhafdhah was transferred to Budaiya Police Station where he was interrogated about his presence at the injured man’s door.

In the morning of November 3, 2012, Mr. AlMuhafdhah was taken to the public prosecution where he was remanded seven days of detention on charges of “participation in illegal protests”. On November 10, 2012, the public prosecution decided to extend Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah’s detention by seven additional days without providing any grounds or justification for this decision. 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.

On December 17, 2012, Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah was arrested while he was monitoring a demonstration held in the capital city of Manama to mark the anniversary of two protesters who were killed in 1994. On December 18, the Public Prosecutor remanded him in custody in Hooth Al-Jaff prison for seven days pending an investigation on charges of spreading false information on Twitter.

On December 25, 2012, Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah was presented before the Public Prosecution, which renewed his detention by 15 days.

On December 27, 2012, the Public Prosecution referred the case to the Court. …source

Zainab Alsairafy, @SAIDYOUSIF’s wife: my daughters r asking “where’s dad” & I don’t know wt to tell them

Another Bahraini Human Rights Activist Faces Twitter-Related Charges

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2013

Washington, DC – Human Rights First urges the Bahraini authorities to either immediately release prominent human rights defender Said Yousif Al-Muhafdhah or to charge him with an internationally-recognizable offense.

“Bahraini human rights defenders and civil society leaders continue to face threats, arrests and prosecutions for peaceful human rights activities,” said Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley. “His detention fits a pattern of civil society leaders being targeted and harassed.”

Al-Muhafdhah, acting Vice President and Head of the Documentation Unit at the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), was arrested and detained on December 17, 2012 while observing a demonstration held in Manama to mark the anniversary of two protesters who were killed in 1994. He remains in custody and has been questioned for “disseminating false news over Twitter.” He is accused of tweeting that the police had shot and injured a young man with birdshot. His latest arrest follows a series of arrests over the last several months. On December 25, Al-Muhafdhah appeared before the prosecutor-general in Manama who decided to extend his detention for 15 additional days. His next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday January 9.

Al-Muhafdhah is an internationally-recognized human rights defender and was one of the leaders of civil society who met with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) for a briefing when the senator visited the country last month.

The BCHR was awarded the 2012 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty by Human Rights First. The award was presented at the organization’s annual Human Rights Summit last month to Maryam Al-Khawaja, acting President of BCHR. The President of BCHR, Nabeel Rajab, is serving a two-year prison sentence for charges also related to the use of Twitter.

Today the Bahrain Court of Cassation confirmed the verdicts given by a military court in 2011 to 20 leading dissidents, including BCHR founder Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. Seven of the men were tried in absentia and all had had their sentences confirmed in today’s final appeal. …source

Press freedom violations recounted in real time (from 1st January 2013)
4 January, 2013 – Reporters without Borders

04.01.2013 – Netizen begins serving two-year jail term, journalist freed

Reporters Without Borders has learned that Sayeed Haeri, a netizen and member of the Human Rights Reporters Committee, was arrested on 12 December after responding to a summons to Tehran’s Evin prison and has begun serving a two-year jail sentence on a charge of anti-government propaganda.

Originally arrested on 20 December 2009, he was released conditionally on 11 March 2010 on bail of 500 million toman (500,000 euros). In September 2010, a Tehran revolutionary court sentenced him to two and a half years in prison and 74 lashes. An appeal court reduced the sentence to two years in prison six months later.

Two other members of the Human Rights Reporters Committee are already in prison. They are Shiva Nazar Ahari, who was arrested on 8 September 2012, and Sayeed Jalali Far, who was arrested on 30 July 2011. Ahari is serving a four-year sentence while Far is serving a three-year sentence.

Reporters Without Borders has also learned that Reza Ansari Rad, a journalist who worked for several reformist news outlets, was released on 15 December after being deemed to have completed a one-year sentence on a charge of anti-government propaganda.

Imposed in 2010, the sentence was upheld by a Tehran appeal court in March 2012 and Rad began serving it on 4 May. …source

Iran supports Syrian president’s plan to resolve crisis
8 January, 2013 – Shia Post

The Iranian foreign minister has expressed Tehran’s support for the plan proposed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to resolve the crisis in Syria.

“In line with its fundamental stance with regards to resolving the Syrian crisis in a political manner, Iran supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s initiative in proposing a comprehensive plan to defuse the crisis in this country,” Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday.

Salehi also hailed the Syrian president’s emphasis on Damascus’ continued support for Palestine and resistance against Israel.

In a key speech on Sunday, Assad said his government is always ready to hold talks with the opposition and political parties and will call for a “comprehensive national dialog” after foreign parties end their support for the militants and the terrorist activities end in the country.

Salehi said implementing the plan could pave the way for building a stable and bright future for the Syrian people and the region.

He also called on all Syrian parties and opposition groups as well as regional and international parties to use this opportunity and make efforts to resolve the current crisis and provide grounds for the realization of a Syrian-Syrian resolution in order to prevent instability and crisis from spreading in the region.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants fighting the Syrian government are foreign nationals. …source

Families of prisoners protest in Saudi Arabia
8 January, 2013 – Shia Post

The families and relatives of prisoners in Saudi Arabia have protested outside a government building in Eastern Province, Press TV reports.

The Saturday rally is taking place outside the governor’s office in the city of al-Dammam in Eastern Province.

Reports say regime forces deployed in the area have prevented protesters from storming the building.

Anti-regime protests have escalated in Saudi Arabia since a teenage protester was shot dead by the regime forces during a demonstration to demand the release of political prisoners last week.

Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province has been the scene of anti-regime protests since February 2011.

Saudi protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis mainly in the Qatif region and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province. They primarily demand the release of all political prisoners, social justice and an end to systematic discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.” …source

House of Saud’s doomed bid for survival
6 January, 2013 – By Finian Cunningham – PressTV

The largesse of the Saudi rulers is only viable if it can sell oil at a price. The trouble is that the world economy is flat on its back. The kingdom’s top five customers are the US, Japan, China, South Korea and India. But Asian demand for Saudi oil is dependent on their export-led economies finding customers in the US. The slowing Asian economies, China in particular, is evidence of the structural problems of American and European societies, where poverty and unemployment have become endemic under relentless austerity measures. ”
Saudi Arabia’s latest budget announcement – the biggest in the kingdom’s 80-year history – had the world’s financial press swooning last week. It came as an almost delirious distraction from the relentless austerity news coming out of the United States and Europe.

USD219 billion is to be pumped into the Saudi economy by the government in Riyadh. In an age of capitalist austerity, the Saudi spending plan may seem like socialism on steroids.

By contrast, as part of its so-called fiscal cliff deal, Washington is planning to execute USD110 billion in cuts to government spending later this year. Bear in mind that the Saudi population is only six percent of the United States, the House of Saud’s largesse is, to put it mildly, wildly lavish. Such spending plans are in stark contradistinction from the rest of the world, beleaguered as it is with recession and fiscal bankruptcy.

The world’s other exceptional big government spender, China, announced late last year that it was allocating some USD150 billion on new infrastructure projects – a relatively modest fraction of the Saudi spend.

A Saudi finance ministry was quoted by the Financial Times as saying that the new budget would focus on “investment programs that enhance strong long-term sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for citizens”.

While US President Obama is targeting health and education for draconian cuts, the biggest part of the Saudi spend is conversely on these same public goods – some 37 percent – or USD80 billion.

But this largesse from the House of Saud towards its 20 million subjects is less to do with generosity and well-being of the nation and more to do with trying to buy political survival. The bigger the largesse, the greater the sign of desperation among the Saudi rulers.

Since the eruption of political protests across the Arab region against Western-backed autocratic rulers in early 2011, the government in Riyadh has increased its year-on-year public spending by nearly 60 percent compared with 2009 and 2010. Notably, in March 2011, shortly after the Arab uprising deposed Tunisia’s Ben Ali and Egypt’s Mubarak and was knocking on Saudi Arabia’s backdoor in Bahrain, the House of Saud made an exceptional budget announcement then of USD130 billion – to fund new housing, wage increases and unemployment welfare.

Given these recent public expenditures by the House of Saud, one would expect the kingdom to be a veritable land of plenty and contentedness. This is far from the social reality. Saudi Arabia continues to reel from weekly protests against its rulers. Indeed, the protests have become increasingly vociferous in calling for the downfall of the Saudi regime – despite the inordinate wads of money that the regime is throwing at the public.

The apparent robust fiscal position of the Saudi rulers actually points up deep structural weaknesses and conflicts within the kingdom. It is a symptom of the many contradictions in Saudi society that are driving discontent against the ruling order.

Some 70 percent of the Saudi population is under the age of 30. This demographic is in contrast to the decrepit House of Saud led by the aging and ailing King Abdullah. The House of Saud is reckoned to comprise an inner circle of about 2,000 family members – some 0.1 of the country’s total population – most of them the progeny of the founder of the state, King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. The latter is reputed to have had as many as 22 wives and sired more than 40 sons, of whom 20 are still alive.

Following the death of Ibn Saud in 1953, the throne passed on to his sons. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia’s tightly controlled hereditary system mandated that rule would from then on pass from brother to brother, rather than father to son. King Abdullah (89), who reportedly went into a coma last month following a 14-hour surgical operation, is the fifth son of Ibn Saud to take the throne since 1953. …more

It would seem the Obama administration is inadvertently working toward a new “9/11” scenario as it is about to reap the “blow-back” that shamed, General Petraeus organized in an effort to implode Syria. The next “9/11” is apt in include a full on assault with Chemical Weapons delivered to al Qaeda by Saudi “Intelligence Chief”, Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Mr. President your greed, stupidity and ineptitude precede you. And for those so called “Human Rights” advocates in the West who revel in the demise of Hafez Assad, does it look like Assad is so delusional now? Perhaps the scale of Human Disaster that lies beyond Assad’s ouster should be rethought with a bit of sobriety with the realization that “regime change” is not Democracy and implosion of a Sovereign State is not Revolution. Maybe the question should be; who is more delusional, self righteous Western liberals in pursuit of careers opportunities with a Political Journal, the State Department or Congressional Staff or Hafez Assad? Hmmm… Phlipn Out.

Saudi spy chief calls for al-Qaeda leadership of anti-Syria militants

The Saudi Arabian spy chief has ordered al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front, to take leadership of the foreign-backed militants in Syria through assassinating the members of the so-called Free Syrian Army.

According to Syrian media, Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has decided to bring the militants fighting the Syrian forces under the umbrella of al-Nusra Front.

According to Prince Bandar’s orders, any militant commander who refuses to join the terrorist group should be assassinated.

Last month, the US State Department designated al-Nusra Front group as a terror organization linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are reportedly arming and funding militants fighting the Damascus government to implement Western countries’ plans in the Arab county.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants fighting the Syrian government are foreign nationals.

Several international human rights organizations have accused the foreign-sponsored militants of committing war crimes. …source

Bahrain: Escalating state violence against peaceful protesters in lack of international accountability and using western arms
24 December, 2012

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its grave concern over the escalated use of excessive force by the authorities in Bahrain against peaceful protesters. The BCHR regularly documents a large number of injuries caused by shotgun pellets, tear gas canisters, rubber bullets and sound grenades. Despite the seriousness of these injuries, victims are most often treated in private homes out of fear of being arrested from the militarized hospitals. The following description of injuries was prepared in collaboration with doctors in Bahrain in order to present the most thorough and accurate description of these human rights violations as possible.

On the 17th of December, 2012, a peaceful, pro-democracy protest was held in Manama which was violently attacked by security forces and resulted in many severe injuries being reported that day (bahrainrights.hopto.org/en/node/5572). Among the injured was a young woman who was peacefuly protesting when she was hit by a direct shot to her foot with a 1kg tear gas canister. As a result, she sustained a 3-bone fracture in the foot that required immediate treatment. Fearing arrest she was treated and operated on in an undisclosed location. In regard to full recovery, the prognosis is poor and it is expected that she will suffer from long-term pain and deformity.

On the same day, a young man was directly shot at with a tear gas canister in his forearm which resulted in an open fracture in his forearm and a shattered bone. He too sought medical care and was operated on in secret out of fear of arrest. However, his recovery depends on the quality of care and follow-up treatment which is only available in the Salmaniya Medical Complex which is currently under military control.

This photo is of a protester who was shot by the security forces with shotgun pellets and is currently suffering from a very large number of pellets currently lodged in his body. Due to the severity of his injury and pain he is trying to seek medical help from multiple sources as the main hospital in Bahrain is under military control and he can expect to be arrested from this hospital.

Several teenagers were shot in the face with shotguns and are at risk of blindness in one or both eyes. One of those protesters is currently in very poor condition with the possibility of losing sight in both eyes; he is seeking private medical care. Also, three more protesters are suffering from eye injuries, they are in critical condition and the possibility of losing sight in is high. It is still unclear whether their condition will improve at the moment. …more

Bahrain: Shiite clerics must ‘prohibit’ violence
By REEM KHALIFA – 7 December, 2012 – AP

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain’s Shiite religious leaders must more forcefully denounce violence as a key step to ease the kingdom’s 22-month uprising, the country’s crown prince said Friday at the opening of an international security conference.

The appeal by Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa underscores the view of Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy that Shiite clerics should be held partly responsible for rising violence in the strategic Gulf nation. It also suggests authorities could increase pressure on top Shiite clergymen, whom he referred to as ‘ayatollahs’ — a term more often associated with senior religious figures in rival Iran.

“I call on all those who disagree with the government, including the ayatollahs, to condemn violence on the street unequivocally . And more, to prohibit violence,” the crown prince told policymakers and political figures gathered for the annual two-day conference known as the Manama Dialogue. “Responsible leadership is called for and I believe dialogue is the only way forward,” he added.

More than 55 people have died in the unrest since February 2011, when Bahrain’s majority Shiites escalated a long-simmering drive for a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled country.

The monarchy has offered some concessions, including giving the elected parliament expanded powers. But it falls far short of Shiite demands to loosen the Sunni rulers’ controls over key government appointments and policies.

Shiite religious leaders, including the most senior cleric Sheik Isa Qassim, have never publicly endorsed violence, but have encouraged peaceful anti-government protests to challenge authorities. Breakaway groups during demonstrations often clash with riot police.

The conference includes high-level envoys from Bahrain’s Western allies, which have so far stood behind the kingdom’s leadership but are increasingly troubled by rising violence and continued crackdowns on the opposition. The U.S. delegation is led by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and includes Arizona Sen. John McCain.

The crown prince thanked a host of nations for assistance during the crisis, but noticeably did not refer to the U.S. in his remarks — an omission that underlined the two countries’ increasingly strained ties. He criticized nations that “selectively” criticize Bahrain’s leadership, without citing specific countries. …more

UN human rights office disappointed by Bahrain’s decision to uphold conviction of 13 activists
8 January, 2013 – UN News Centre

2013 – The United Nations today expressed disappointment over Bahrain’s decision to uphold the convictions of 13 pro-democracy activists in spite of concerns raised by an independent human rights panel and appeals by the international community.

“We regret that Bahrain’s highest court on Monday upheld the convictions of 13 activists for their role in pro-democracy demonstrations, after two years of trials and despite the conclusions of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the appeals by the international community concerning the judicial procedure and allegations of torture,” a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Cécile Pouilly, told reporters in Geneva.

“These persons are political and human rights activists and we are concerned they may have been wrongly convicted for legitimate activities. We are also concerned by the extreme harshness of some of the sentences, including imprisonment for life,” she added.

In early 2012, the Gulf country experienced clashes between security forces and demonstrators, a year after widespread civil protests first emerged there. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was established by the King of Bahrain in June 2011 to investigate incidents that occurred during the country’s unrest.

At the news briefing, the OHCHR spokesperson also condemned the arbitrary detention of the Vice President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Said Yousif Al-Muhafdhah, who was arrested on 17 December 2012 while monitoring a protest in the capital, Manama.

Mr. Al-Muhafdhah was also sending messages on the online platform Twitter about attacks on protesters and posted a picture of a demonstrator wounded during the protest. According to the UN agency, the case is expected to be reviewed by the public prosecution office on Wednesday.

“We call on the Bahraini authorities to release him immediately,” Ms. Pouilly said. …source