…from beneath the crooked bough, witness 230 years of brutal tyranny by the al Khalifas come to an end
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HRW says Bahrain targeting medical workers

by Courtesy

[cb editor: Joe Stork and his team at Human Rights Watch continue to do an exceedingly excellent job regarding Bahrain. HRW has been a voice of objective reason in the midst of the insane brutality that has poured out from the al Khalifa regime on the people of Bahrain who seek dignity, protection of their human rights and to live in a fair and justly governed society. Congratulations to you Mr. Stork and to your team. Your contributions toward helping the people of Bahrain in this desperate hour are huge and immeasurable Mr. Stork. Thank you. ]

Special Reports
HRW says Bahrain targeting medical workers
Published: July 18, 2011 at 1:33 PM

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 18 (UPI) — Targeting members of the medical community is part of an effort by the monarchy in Bahrain to silence critics, Human Rights Watch said from Beirut.

Physicians for Human Rights in April said it had forensic evidence to suggest Bahraini security forces attacked medical staff and patients with bullets and chemical agents.

At least 47 healthcare workers were charged with various crimes since protests broke out early this year.

In March U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay described the March 16 seizure by security forces of a hospital in Bahrain as “shocking and illegal conduct.”

Human Rights Watch in a 54-page report said it had documented “serious government abuses” against medics and patients wounded during opposition protests.

The United Nations in early July praised Bahrain for launching a national dialogue secession following early criticism that the minority Sunni-led monarchy was using a heavy hand against a Shiite uprising early this year.

But Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said targeting the medical community was part of an official policy against pro-democracy forces in Bahrain.

“Officials justify the government’s crackdown and the arrests of the medics by alleging that they violated the principle of medical neutrality and committed heinous crimes,” he said in a statement. “Yet they have failed to provide any convincing evidence that their actions are anything but a campaign of retribution aimed at silencing government critics.” …source