…from beneath the crooked bough, witness 230 years of brutal tyranny by the al Khalifas come to an end
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Bahrain Updates #14: Monarchy and Submission

by Courtesy

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The consequence of the utilization of “free labor” undermined the entire feudal social formation throughout Europe and laid the material basis for the modern liberal constitutional state. As the noted political economist C.B. MacPherson argued in his The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism: Hobbes to Locke (1962/1988), the idea of free labor conceptualizes the individual “as essentially the proprietor of his own person or capacities, owing nothing to society for them.” Freedom, as “the” human essence is portrayed in a negative sense as “freedom from dependence on the will of others,” with freedom being a function of possession. From this origin, owing to the necessity of the capitalist mode of production, society begins to be seen as constituted on a contractual basis, consisting of relations of exchange between proprietors. Consequently, MacPherson concludes, political society “became a calculated device for the protection of this property and for the maintenance of an orderly relation of exchange” (MacPherson, 1962/1988, p. 3). (Cavell, October 1, 2006, “Liberalism & Its Implications for the Middle East and North Africa,” <http://userspages.uob.edu.bh/cscpo/bcsr_paper_10_1_06_revised_pdf.pdf>).

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Folks,
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One of the most bizarre and pitiful articles to appear this past week was one which appeared in the Thursday, May 5th issue of Bahrain's Gulf Daily News entitled
"We were not involved…" (http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=305331). The article highlights the case of Mr. Faisal Jawad, CEO of the Jawad Group in Bahrain, a substantial capitalist enterprise which owns the Bahrain franchises of several well-known international chains including Costa Coffee, Burger King, Monsoon, Accessorize, French Connection UK, BHS, Travelex, Avis, Mango, Shoe Citi, Chili's, Dairy Queen, Hush Puppies and Papa John's, etc. It is being alleged that Mr. Jawad supplied pro-democracy protesters with free food while they were camped out at the Pearl Roundabout in late February and early March, before regime forces attacked, dispersed protesters, and then, on March 18th, tore down the Pearl Monument. A regime-inspired boycott is now underway against the Jawad Group's affiliates.
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For his part, Mr. Faisal Jawad denied the charges as being untrue. However, Mr. Jawad had written a letter in early March which was published in the Gulf Daily News newspaper, in which he criticized local media saying he perceived their role in the Middle East was to protect "corrupt governments and not to say the truth and expose unlimited ill-gotten wealth". As GDN reporter Tom Hanratty notes: "The letter, published on March 1, also expressed support for the international media's reporting of events in Bahrain – angering many who felt foreign journalists had been guilty of distorting the facts." Mr. Jawad's response is worth noting:  "I studied in the UK for about four or five years," he said. "In the UK I was among people and a society in which, if you have an opinion, you can say it without fearing any repercussion because, regardless of what that opinion is, it is an opinion. When I wrote the note to the GDN, I thought that in 2011 we lived in a society that would allow people to share their opinion and that's why I wrote it. Maybe, though, people here are not ready for others to air their opinion and maybe in retrospect I regret writing that letter."
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Despite Mr. Jawad's uncategorical denials of involvement in supporting the protesters, he, like all Bahrainis, is now called upon to kowtow to the autocratic monarchical power that rules the island kingdom of Bahrain. As The Republic Newspaper out of Columbus, Indiana reports: "While Bahrain's justice minister was making the latest accusations against alleged enemies of the state — this time medical staff — other officials were busy organizing a patriotic blitz that encourages pledges of loyalty on Facebook and Twitter" (http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9460204e82fc46528f920aa9e8551b0a/ML–Bahrain-Loyalty-Online/?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4dc4e6d35bd29f46%2C0).
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Indeed, the state-run media in Bahrain has, following the commencement of the brutal crackdown in mid-March, been promoting a regime-run so-called "Loyalty Campaign" which has government agents show up in various areas of the country, mostly shopping malls, etc., and entreat passersby to sign a loyalty oath to the monarchy. As one pro-government website states: "In what started last week as signing an allegiance pledge and Loyalty swords campaign is now turned into a movement of masses from all spectrums, turning up in numbers signing their initials supporting the wise leadership" ("Organisers aim to collect over 500,000 signatures for Loyalty Campaign" <http://www.peacebahrain.com/2011/04/organisers-aim-to-collect-over-500000-signatures-for-loyalty-campaign/>. In fact, the extreme measures being taken by the regime to show that citizens are loyal have spread fear and paranoia thoughout the kingdom. As one blogger writes: "People speak in code on the phone and constantly declare their loyalty to the government just in case" ("No Tears for Bahrain," April 7, 2011, http://middleeastrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2011/04/no-tears-for-bahrain.html).
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Americans should remember the most influential pamphlet of the revolution of 1776 was Thomas Paine's Common Sense where, in the section headed "Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession," Paine stated:

But it is not so much the absurdity as the evil of hereditary succession which concerns mankind. Did it ensure a race of good and wise men it would have the seal of divine authority, but as it opens a door to the FOOLISH, the WICKED, and the IMPROPER, it hath in it the nature of oppression. Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent. Selected from the rest of mankind, their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed in the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.

Anyone who has lived in any of the world's few remaining monarchies (only about 44 countries still present themselves as headed by a monarch, with only a handful claiming to be absolute monarchies) has likely experienced the daily acts of servility and slavish deference demanded of the citizenry. Fawning obedience to the point of obsequiousness is characteristic of what state media in such countries broadcasts and print, and oftentimes this "instruction in proper citizenship" takes of the form of citizens et al. kissing the hand of the monarch as he or she parades in front of them or, alternatively, subjects are depicted as falling on their knees or prostrating themselves in front of these self-proclaimed pooh-bahs. It involves pathetic and usually obnoxious displays of ready-compliance and sycophantic behavior. Such crawling before and submitting to and bootlicking of another human being was possible when education was reserved only for the elite, but once people realized, as Ben Franklin once said that, "The greatest monarch on the proudest throne is obliged to sit upon his own arse,"–in other words, monarchs are not naturally different from anyone else–then the aura and mystique of monarchy died. Hence, the only method for maintaining monarchical power in today's world is through coercion and brute force.
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Free people despise such spineless subservient behavior and dismiss such claims with contempt. Just as Roger Williams wrote in 1670 that "Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils," so too does forced loyalty to monarchs elicit a very foul odor in the form of an unwelcomed stench.
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Readers this week called my attention to a blog article entitled "Bahrain: Are You Confused?" and dated March 25, 2011 and written by a former Fulbright recipient, a Dr. Martin Scott Catino, who briefly taught at the University of Bahrain in the American Studies Center during the second Bush era, and who now claims to be "a Senior Military Adviser in Afghanistan, a specialist in US Foreign and Security policy". In his blog article, Dr. Catino blames radical Shia extremists for Bahrain's present chaos. He asserts that these clever insurgents are utilizing guerrilla warfare tactics in an attempt to realize "their violent dreams." Catino writes: "Radical Shia Imams parading as caring pastors mixed with Shia malcontents, human rights activists, the intelligentsia, and the young and the restless who moved about in abayas and dishdashas at schools like the University of Bahrain, where Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Ali Khamenei were deemed champions of the world’s oppressed, and of course, of the Shia of Bahrain. These very people and groups are now key players of the insurgency taking place in Bahrain" (http://www.thoughts.com/martinscottcatino/the-insurgency-in-bahrain).
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Dr. Catino, of course, is entitled to his opinion about the democratic opposition and, indeed, we should welcome his contribution, for it provides us with a clear articulation of present US policy towards the six Gulf Kingdoms and, in particular, of US policy towards Bahrain, for it displays not only a disdain for the majority Shia population of Bahrain but, as well, it further evinces the same servility towards monarchy that the pro-Bush crowd exhibited during W's time in office.   Catino writes of Bahrain's King as follows:

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain, is a powerful man, whose whit and ability to maintain control is admired, envied, and despised by the various sectarian and racial groups that walk the streets of places like Manama, the capital of Bahrain. The King is brilliant, and holds the reins of power with an ease and finesse that baffles his opponents. His ability to manage easily the diverse interests of the Sunni Arab world, the shifting sands of international economics, and the many South and Southeast Asian migrants that inhabit his island involves subtle skills that he uses confidently, grasping intangible power structures as easily as one could grasp the steering wheel of the family car. He understands every Middle Eastern leader’s most cherished secret: the most important fight is the one to stay in power. So he offers much more than crackdowns: free schooling, subsidies to the poor of his country (Shia included), and business freedoms in the local markets. In fact, the Ajam, the enterprising Persian business class of Bahrain, embrace this freedom. But more importantly they embrace the freedom to stay out of politics, which dampens the delights of the dinar.

It is all-too-often that some self-professed conservatives in the USA proclaim their love of liberty in one moment while in the next subjugating themselves to monied interests who are determined to crush the very liberty by which they speak. This, of course, is compounded when such persons claim to be supportive of republican governments (i.e. representative governments where power arises from the people) and yet grovel before unelected monarchs. And, as long as US foreign policy leaders follow such a submissive course, America will remain obedient to kings, emirs, shahs, shoguns, czars, sultans, etc.

regards,Â

csc
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Latest Updates
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For those following developments in Bahrain closely, I refer you all to The Crooked Bough website for timely updates on the political situation in the Kingdom, as it is beating most outlets at critical reportage coming out of Bahrain.
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About the author:

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Until February 15th of this year, I was an Assistant Professor teaching in the American Studies Center at the University of Bahrain. I submitted my resignation following the Fall semester at the end of January, as my wife, a Moroccan national, was granted an immigrant visa to the US by the State Department with the proviso that we be residing within the USA by April 1, 2011. Little did we know in January, when I submitted my resignation, that we would be in a race for time before we could leave, as the Arab rebellions were sweeping from Tunisia to Egypt to Yemen and into Bahrain and beyond. We left Bahrain on February 25th, the day of the largest demonstrations in Bahraini history, and have since been residing in Seattle, Washington.
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Background on Bahrain:

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On February 14, 2011, the citizenry of Bahrain rose up in opposition to the Al Khalifa monarchy and demanded democratic reforms. Their voices were met with stiff resistance from the autocratic regime which has been in power for over 200 years now. Unbowed, the citizenry took to the Pearl Roundabout in downtown Manama with some advocating for a constitutional monarchy and others a democratic republic. In response, the regime unleashed a reign of terror down on the protesters. Meanwhile, the US was directing its focus on Libya and getting through the United Nations a resolution for a no-fly zone over that country, which passed on Thursday, March 17th. One week prior, on Friday, March 11th, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates flew to Bahrain and met with the King and the Crown Prince, and on Monday, March 14th, approximately 2000 to 3000 Saudi Arabian and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tanks and troops rolled across the causeway from Saudi Arabia into Bahrain to crush the opposition. The next day, March 15th, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Decree No. 18 for the year 2011, declaring a three-month "State of National Safety". The Bahrain Defence Forces (BDF) subsequently began a systematic crackdown on anyone who was suspected of opposing the monarchy and calling for democracy. On March 18th, the BDF tore down the Pearl Monument, known to locals as either "Lulu" or "the GCC Monument" and to the international press as "Pearl Square" due to its similarity to Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt where protesters had gathered. The regime's crackdown is an attempt to wipe away the memory of the 2011 Bahraini Democratic Spring from the popular mindset, and they are sparing nothing to root out and crush, using force and intimidation including torture and murder, any further resistance. The silence from most of the mainstream media in America is deafening.
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The fact that the US Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain and the fact that the US is completely dependent on and addicted to Saudi-monarchy oil–i.e. oil doled out by a corrupt and sclerotic regime, and that both regimes (i.e. the Al Sauds and the Al Khalifas)–indeed all GCC regimes–in turn, are kept in power by US guns, makes all the difference–for now at least. The US is clearly supporting the Al-Khalifa monarchy, putting its oil interests ahead of its avowed democratic principles. From all accounts, the beating into submission as well as the subsequent bloodbath continues in earnest. For US citizens, it is another lost opportunity… But with your help and voices, we can eventually rectify our country's policy in this regard and realign it with our country's stated principles.
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US interests in the long term will ultimately be served by supporting democratic elements and, eventually, democratic regimes in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. Does that mean we should overthrow existing governments? No, but it does mean that we should not be arming, financially supporting, and enabling corrupt regimes to slaughter opposition forces advocating for democratic rights in their countries, and then remaining silent while it happens. Sycophancy in the service of autocratic rulers with decidedly undemocratic ethos is degrading and demeaning. Such a stance is an affront to humanity. Putting off the goal of aligning ourselves with democratic elements for short-term advantage will have negative repercussions not only on current US foreign policy but, as well, on US domestic policy, as millions of petro-dollars will find their way back into US politics attempting to undermine our democracy here at home. While countering theocratic influence in the region is understandable and necessary, this will require a strategy with quite a bit more sophistication than is presently being demonstrated. As well, implementing such a strategy will necessitate experienced hands who are neither intimidated by the apparent chaos often associated with democratic movements nor infatuated with monarchical tendencies and supportive of elite rule.
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NOTE:

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Names and other identifying information have been removed and/or redacted in order to protect the safety of the sender[s], unless the person(s) is (are) a reporter or a public activist(s) and want their names to be known, as publicity sometimes gives them some protection from regime retaliation. If you are not a known public activist and/or reporter, please inform me if you would like your name to appear along with your report; otherwise, I will redactit to maintain your anonymity.
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regards,
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csc
__________________
Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D.

P.O. Box 9087
Seattle, WA 98109

———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: 2011/5/8
Subject: Bahrain updates: May 2-8
To: "Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D." ccavell@gmail.com
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[redacted]

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The past week has been a very long one. People assume every week that the government will be satisfied with the retribution acts and destructive behavior they’ve been carrying out for the past three months and for the past month and a half in particular, but the government just keeps on exceeding everybody’s expectations in their stubborn, indifferent approach, which can only express the extreme arrogance and narcissism of monarchs.

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Their “loyal” parrots are celebrating the death sentence rule, demanding more of it, and continuing their hate campaigns on the streets, at work places, and on the web. Many people are harmed at work or in their personal life because of pictures, videos, or mere allegations by “loyal citizens” online or in real life. It’s taking a toll and starting to be really dangerous.

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The degrading investigations at workplaces are still continuing. Staff are being interrogated, then punished by being fired or suspended, for “crimes” of participation at demonstrations, speaking to media channels, or merely setting foot on the roundabout.

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Several people have gone through these investigations; they are humiliating and outrageous to any free person on this world. Putting people on witch trials, telling them they are guilty of speaking an opinion or having a wish that did not sit right with the “wise leadership”.

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Believe me, you don’t appreciate freedom of speech, until you live in Bahrain these days. Many of the freedoms and basic given rights that are taken for granted all around the world every day are being horribly violated and infringed upon today in Bahrain.Â

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Today, opposition leaders went on trial in the morning. It's not over yet; they have another hearing on May 12. It's unclear, as usual, how things went inside the court. Later in the day, however, the king announces that the "State of National Safety" will be lifted on June 1, 2011, which came as a shock to pro-government crowds, especially after Parliament voted last week for the extension of the "state of national safety" for 3 more months. I guess now, both the opposition and the "loyalists", know how the parliament is structured in a manner which makes it purely a facade and not a real, effective, functional institution. The Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted that elections will follow this. I have no idea how that will go.

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I don't believe the government is intending to implement any improvements to the situation or at all address the major issues that brought the uprising into being or the ones that caused the crackdown. I honestly think they are only announcing that they will lift the martial laws because it's hurting their pocket. We all know that the investment companies in Bahrain Financial Harbor and the twin towers in Manama have threatened to leave in June if martial laws are not lifted. Bahrain has already lost so many credits and points internationally. The Crown Prince's baby, the Formula 1, will only have a shot at taking place if the martial laws are lifted, as he was given an extension till 3 June, 2011 to confirm Bahrain's readiness to receive F1 this year in compensation of hosting the first stage as previously planned in March. The revenues and profits made in these and many other institutions/ projects/ functions all around Bahrain all go into the "good hands" of the royal family. I don't think justice will be served by June or afterwards if it were up to the royal family. Things will stay the same; only the surface will be changed, i.e. removing check points and military vehicles from the streets.

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I’m so sickened by the folly and evil surrounding me. Read my updates and you’ll get my sentiments:

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This week they include:

  • ·        Bahraini Voices;
  • ·        Media Reports;
  • ·        Video Reports;
  • ·        Picture Reports;
  • ·        History of the Monarchy in Bahrain; and
  • ·        Bahrain’s Uprising Archive.

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·        Bahraini voices:

o  Very important summary and inclusive analysis: Getting Facts Right: Who Refused Dialogue?: http://lazacode.com/net-citizen/getting-facts-right-who-refused-dialogue?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lazacode+%28lazacode.com%29&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner  The opposition did indeed refuse "unstructured dialogue", but it is the regime and the Gathering of National Unity who refused "structured dialogue".

o  Readings about the labor movement in Bahrain: http://chanad.posterous.com/

o  Several doctors were arrested last week; then, on Thursday, several female doctors were released. Many more still reside in the regime torture-full jails.

§ Physicians for Human Rights: Bahraini doctors webpage: http://bahrain.phrblog.org/

§ Missing doctors: http://bahrain.phrblog.org/the-missing/

§ Bahrain charges medics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13267040

§ Medical Professionals Again Targeted with Arrest of President of Bahrain Medical Society and Charges Against 47 Others http://bit.ly/iW42AX

o  Amal Society (Islamic Action Society) targetted heavily by regime:

§ 2nd May: Arrest of Khalil AlHalwachi, one of the few remaining members of Amal “Islamic Action Society” left outside prison. What Fatima AlHalwachi said about her father’a arrest http://on.fb.me/kFdPHR

§ The authorities have been on a witch hunt, arresting staff and members of Amal, until they arrested Secretary General of Amal: Sheikh Mohammed Ali AlMahfoodh early on the 2nd of May as well.

·        Amal’s press release on the detention of their Secretary General and members of staff and board. http://www.amal-islami.net/index.php?plugin=news&act=news_read&id=3306Â

o  or https://www.facebook.com/notes/%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%84/arrest-of-sheikh-mohamed-ali-almahfoodh/219734108042248

o  and http://twitpic.com/4t9dpo

·        Hajar AlMahfoodh writes a letter to Obama http://www.pressenza.com/npermalink/letter-from-the-daughter-of-sheik-almahfoodh-to-obama

·        Crooked Bough:

o  Breaking news on arrest: http://www.crookedbough.com/?p=1176

o  Free Mahfoodh http://www.crookedbough.com/?p=1214

o  Arrest of Wefaq resigned Parliament Members: Mattar Ebrahim Mattar and Jawad Fairouz late night on Monday the 2nd of May:

§ AlJazeera English: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/201152205239385476.html

§ Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/node/98637

§ http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/bahrain-arrests-two-former-shiite-mps-source

§ Bahrain: Detained opposition MP Mattar Mattar interview on BBC a few weeks ago. Watch: http://bit.ly/kGfkWM

§ Mattar on AlJazeera English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuggIgm1PfI&feature=youtu.be

§ [Arabic] BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/middleeast/2011/05/110502_bahrain_arrests.shtml

§ [Arabic] Reuters  http://ara.reuters.com/article/topNews/idARACAE7411GN20110502

o  May 3rd: Press Freedom Day: this must be a very special year for press freedom in Bahrain. We have marked a year since the closure of the independent newspaper AlWaqt, and AlWasat (the only other remaining independent newspaper) had intended to close as well, after all the drama they’ve been through last month. Press laws and prohibitions currently are as ridiculous as the laws enforced in our streets and courts these days. A very interesting year for "press freedom" in Bahrain indeed.

§ Fate of Bahraini journalists today: http://bit.ly/k3WxK5

§ Reporters Without Borders: Bahrain king is press predator: Watchdog http://bit.ly/l4CaG4

§ 2 headlines on the same GDN front page: "Press Pillar of Democracy" http://bit.ly/kjnLpz and "Newspaper to close down" http://bit.ly/jxrSJZ

§ Alwasat announces backing off decision to close down: http://www.alwasatnews.com/3165/news/read/559843/1.html

§ the Irony of all ironies: King reassures that no one will be harmed for peaceful expression of their opinion through the media within the constitution and government laws! [Arabic] http://www.alwasatnews.com/3160/news/read/553992/1.html

§ BCHR: Bahraini journalists call for a helping hand and for the adoption of measures to insure their safety: http://goo.gl/j4Thk

o  Huge trend amongst young people these days in Bahrain is reading Orwell’s 1984. Many are reading it and quoting it on their social network web pages. Definitely a healthy phenomenon.

o  Sheikh Mohammed Habib AlMeqdad, who has been a prominent leader in the recent uprising in Bahrain, called his family from jail to bring him clothes. AlMeqdad had been in hiding, and no news were heard from him or of his arrest since the 16th of March when he went into hiding. It was a great shock to many who still had faith in his safety.

o  Freedom House: Bahrain medical professionals unfairly charged: http://freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=581&alert=55

o  Bahrain: Human Rights Defender Mr.Naji Fateel at risk http://byshr.org/?p=423

o  The series of job losses continue. Last Monday, it reached Mrs Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, who was fired from Kanoo School, by order from the Ministry of Interior, along with other teachers. Many other institutions witnessed similar acts, based solely on sect, last name, political affiliation or family members’ involvement in politics!

o  Attacking and burning down of Saeed Ayyad's home, torture of Alkhawaja, activist at high risk http://ow.ly/4PgMh

o  Spying case adjourned: THE trial of a Bahraini and two Iranians accused of spying for Iran's Revolutionary Guard… http://bit.ly/lZX40w

o  Lower National Safety Court Adjourns Four Cases http://goo.gl/fb/UtWMj

o  3rd of May 2011: Bahrain house of representatives (all pro-govt now) call for 3-month extension of martial law and boycotting of Iranian products [Arabic] http://bit.ly/jzXPxy

o  8th of May 2011: King announces that the State of National Safety will be lifted as of 1st of June, 2011 on the same day that opposition leaders (including Wa’ad’s Ebrahim Sharif, Haq’s Hassan Mushaimae, and Wafa’s AbdulWahhab Hussain) are put on trial:

§ Important information on detainees put on trial http://bahraincenter.blogspot.com/2011/05/important-information-about-trial-of.html

§ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/08/us-bahrain-trial-idUSTRE7470Q220110508

§ http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/bahrain-puts-opposition-leaders-activists-on-trial/

§ http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-postpones-high-profile-trial-to-may-12-1.804811

§ http://akrockefeller.com/blog/bahrain-pro-democracy-activists-will-stand-trial/

§ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110508/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain_5

§ Nabeel Rajab of Bahrain Center for Human Rights tweeted:

·        “both Mr. Abdul Wahab Hussain and Mr. Hassan Mushema were limping while entering the military court #Bahrain”

·        “الكثير من المعتقلين الذين قدموا اليوم للمحكمة كانت عيونهم حمراء مثل الدم وينتابهم ضعف في التركيز وبقوا مقيدين طوال فترة سجنهم” translation “lots of the detainees that were brought to court today had bloodshot eyes and had low concentration and were handcuffed the entire time they’ve been in prison”

·        “سمح للاهالي بالجلوس مع المعتقلين حوالي ربع ساعة بحضور الامن واغلبهم تحدث عن حسن المعاملة حتى لو ان وجوههم واجسادهم لا تبدوا كذلك” translation “families were allowed to have 15 minutes with their detained family member(s) in security forces presence. Most spoke of being treated well, even though their faces and bodies showed otherwise”

·        Media reports:

o  US Labor urges trade pact with Bahrain be suspended: Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/06/us-bahrain-usa-trade-idUSTRE7456AP20110506

o  'Bahrain rights situation frightening' – Interview with Nabeel Rajab http://ow.ly/4KGcn – I can’t see this interview because the Press TV website is blocked in Bahrain.

o  US Silent: Bahrain Authorities Putting Doctors and Nurses on Trial for Caring for the Wounded http://bit.ly/kHywpI

o  Human Rights Now: Will Bahrain Carry Out Four Executions? http://bit.ly/mO4j0p

o  BD1,000 paid to crossfire victim's relatives: RELATIVES of an Indian man, who was killed in crossfire during cla… http://bit.ly/lGRCAs (NOTE: there was no crossfire!  Riot police were attacking citizens on Budiya highway with fire; that’s what it was. Firearms that they claim they never used against people.)

o  After spending weeks celebrating the Prime Minister, now they remember to praise the king: Capital Governorate organises line-up of festivities to show allegiance to the leadership http://goo.gl/fb/AdjU3

o  WLCentral: 2011-05-01 Reports of Shia mosques and matams being destroyed or vandalized in #Bahrain http://wlcentral.org/node/1725

o  Obama urges Bahrain's monarch http://skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=607506&vId

o  Obama urges Bahrain king to respect 'universal rights' http://cot.ag/kogwe7

o  After crushed protests, Bahrain is accused of deepened oppression of Shiites http://goo.gl/3NRVs

o  Bahrain's rulers press crackdown and widen loyalty drive to the web http://fb.me/WoQXaY94

o  Bahrain doctors to be tried for helping protesters  http://bit.ly/kTvc8a

o  Bahraini authorities announced charges against the medical staff http://byshr.org/?p=410

o  We all know the purpose of these offices and who the passports will go to: Bahrain to open more passport offices http://www.tradearabia.com/news/LAW_197804.html

o  ARTICLE19 calling on Bahraini government to put immediate stop to the violent crackdown on the protests & on the press http://ow.ly/4LVYf

o  Statement from Bahrain state news agency regarding arrest and charges against 47 doctors and medics http://bit.ly/iQAXSV

o  Bahrain king orders end to emergency rule as opposition leaders go on trial: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/bahrain-accuses-21-opposition-figures-of-seeking-to-topple-monarchy/2011/05/07/AFiY5QMG_story.html

o  Bahrain king orders end of emergency law: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/2011581342480276.html

o  Reuters: Bahrain loses allure as offshore money haven http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/04/bahrain-assets-idUSLDE7430H920110504

o  UN urges Bahrain to free detained activists – http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/201155155822502904.html

o  UN human rights chief voices deep concern about Bahrain crackdown http://ow.ly/1cxaaE

o  Counterrevolution in the Gulf in Foreign Policy http://tinyurl.com/6grkue9

·        Video reports:

o  The brave men of Bahrain, ganging up on the weak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi1o0_pSDZY&feature=share

o  Al Jazeera English: Relatives fearful over Bahrain trials http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/05/201151145514937193.html ; Dr Farida AlDallal, Dr Ali AlEkri’s wife, who was also arrested & beaten under custody, says that he has had no access to lawyers.

o  I’m not usually a fan of turbans talking, but this one is making a direct, simple point worth hearing by western communities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a1o6lxFp-4&feature=youtu.be

o  Bahriani Unions May Day Message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArmwGVTF6Jk

o  Common Bahraini government answers:

§ 1: Minister of Health:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrTTdjH3BWc&feature=youtu.be

§ 2: Minister of Foreign Affairs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vwKa2IYaHY&feature=related

o  Outrageous video: pro-government crowd arms children and lectures them on defending themselves (against?). Man lecturing says you must sacrifice your blood; remember your loyalty is to Allah, Land, the King. The situation requires this from you as youth. We are sending you to a dangerous position, but you must do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtTJ2OQlwTI These are the same people who accused the opposition of abusing children for letting them participate in peaceful protests and “contaminating their minds with politics”.

o  Shia mosque spray painted with words cursing opposition and hailing the king: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgKMPmVewiM

o  [Arabic] Very interesting response from Egypt by Dr Mohammed Salim AlAwwa on Bahrain’s uprising: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzCwo2J1wXo&feature=share

o  Candle vigil in Sanabis against the execution court rule: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBJ_6GAAnfU

o  The Stream: On OBL death and Bahrain http://stream.aljazeera.com/episode/episode-2566

·        Picture reports:

o  Bin Laden lamented by the pro-government crowds https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199192853455883.44617.191271114248057

·        History of the monarchy in Bahrain:

o  Belgrave Diaries: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54167454/AlKhalifa-Scandals-from-Belgrave-s-Diaries

·        Bahrain’s uprising Archive:

o   March 2011 events:

§ Bahrain Opposition VS State Sponsored Terrorism http://www.scribd.com/doc/54088179/Bahrain-Opposition-vs-State-Sponsored-Terrorism

§ Students waiting outside UoB shot at by government agents: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgwRGR9cbFQ (the only front with such weapons in Bahrain)

o  February 18th, 2011: One of the most iconic videos of the Bahraini uprising: Bahrain army shoots protesters with automatic guns; the protesters rescue the wounded and continue to march slowly and eventually do a peaceful sitting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEw3E3POc7Y&skipcontrinter=1

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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Sun, May 8, 2011 at 6:10 PM
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Twenty one trial defendents named

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:46 PM PDT

Britons named in Bahrain ‘terror trial’

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:30 PM PDT

Bahraini state television announces that twenty one anti-government activists are being put on trial for crimes including collaborating with terrorist groups and trying to overthrow the government.

While Bahrain demolishes mosques, U.S. stays silent

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:25 PM PDT

In the ancient Bahraini village of Aali, where some graves date to 2000 B.C., the Amir Mohammed Braighi mosque had stood for more than 400 years – one of the handsomest Shiite Muslim mosques in this small island nation in the Persian Gulf. Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/08/2858559/while-bahrain-demolishes-mosques.html#ixzz1LnZXYsuq

Bahrain to end emergency, tries opposition heads

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:18 PM PDT

King Hamad on Sunday ordered an early end to Bahrain's state of emergency declared in mid-March to tackle Shiite-led protests, as leading opposition figures went on trial in a court set up under the law.

Ruling Sunnis in Bahrain detain Shiite teachers, students

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:17 PM PDT

Empowered by a six-week-old state of emergency, the Sunni minority government of Bahrain has arrested scores of Shiite women teachers and schoolgirls, held them for days in prison and subjected them to physical and verbal abuse, according to victims, human rights advocates and a former member of parliament. Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/08/2207527/ruling-sunnis-in-bahrain-detain.html#ixzz1LnXNAdOT

Bahrain’s king: state of emergency will end in June

Posted: 08 May 2011 10:50 AM PDT

The king of Bahrain has decreed that the country's state of emergency will end June 1, state media reported Sunday.
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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, May 8, 2011 at 4:13 PM
Subject: Updates on the trial, National Safety to be lifted on June 1
To: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
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Dear Friends,

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To update you on the outcome of today’s trial, the hearing was adjourned until Thursday, 12th May. The detainees were brought in all wearing the same outfit, grey clothes that covered the arms and legs despite the increasingly warm weather in Bahrain. They all appeared to have lost weight during their time in detention. Mr. Mohammed Hassan Jawad Parweez had lost all hearing ability. At the time of his detention he was hard of hearing and used a device to hear. At the hearing he could not hear at all and did not respond when his name was called by the judge until he was nudged by the detainee standing next to him. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja had the most obvious wounds and injuries on him. He had stitches under his left eye and the left side of his face was swollen. At the end of the hearing as the judge was bringing the hearing to a close the detainees demanded they be given a chance to speak as they said they were being kept in solitary confinement and wanted a guarantee that the ongoing and continuous torture would be stopped. The security forces started shouting at them and removed them from the court room.

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The families of the detainees were able to speak to them for approximately 10 minutes. Some of the families were not present as they had not been informed of the hearing. Despite it being broadcasted in local newspapers that families had been informed of the trial, all families at the hearing confirmed they knew only because they were following the news the night before.

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Ebrahim Sharif told his family that he was not aware of the charges against him until the time of the hearing.He seemed to have lost approximately 15 kilos due to ill treatment.

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Mr. Alkhawaja's family were able to confirm today, after meeting with him briefly after the court session, that he had sustained 4 fractures to the left side of his face, including one in his jaw. He consequently had to undergo a major 4 hour surgery where they had to take bone from his skull to replace the broken bones in his face. He also had stitches above his left eye. They say that as a result of this he can barely eat and cannot smile due to the pain. The healing process has been slow because he had been on a hunger strike because he did not have a lawyer.Again, I urge all parties to send international observers to the next hearing on Thursday.

Â

In other news, the King of Bahrain has announced that State of National Safety is to be lifted on the 1st of June. http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/455725

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The Bahrain petroleum company today fired 55 of it’s Shia’a employees, making the number now 350 employees fired.

Â

Regards,

Â

—

Â

Maryam Al-Khawaja

Contact:

+44-7587303080 / +1(401)572-6597

Head of Foreign Relations Office

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Â

Â
Â
Â
———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Sun, May 8, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Subject: maryam tweets – good update bits
To: Colin Cavell <ccavell@gmail.com>
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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Sun, May 8, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Subject: While Bahrain Demolishes Mosques, US Stays Silent
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While Bahrain Demolishes Mosques, US Stays Silent

Sunday 8 May 2011
by: Roy Gutman, McClatchy Newspapers

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(Photo: daoro [3])

Manama, Bahrain – In the ancient Bahraini village of Aali, where some graves date to 2000 B.C., the Amir Mohammed Braighi mosque had stood for more than 400 years — one of the handsomest Shiite Muslim mosques in this small island nation in the Persian Gulf.

Today, only bulldozer tracks remain.

In Nwaidrat, where anti-government protests began Feb. 14, the Mo'men mosque had long been a center for the town's Shiite population — photos show it as a handsome, square building neatly painted in ochre, with white and green trim, and a short portico in dark gray forming the main entrance.

Today, only the portico remains.

"When I was a child, I used to go and pray with my grandfather," said a 52-year-old local resident, who asked to be called only "Abu Hadi. "The area used to be totally green, with tiers of sweet water wells."

"Why did they destroy this mosque?" Abu Hadi wailed. "Muslims have prayed there for decades."

In Shiite villages across this island kingdom of 1.2 million, the Sunni Muslim government has bulldozed dozens of mosques as part of a crackdown on Shiite dissidents, an assault on human rights that is breathtaking in its expansiveness.

Authorities have held secret trials where protesters have been sentenced to death, arrested prominent mainstream opposition politicians, jailed nurses and doctors who treated injured protesters, seized the health care system that had been run primarily by Shiites, fired 1,000 Shiite professionals and canceled their pensions, detained students and teachers who took part in the protests, beat and arrested journalists, and forced the closure of the only opposition newspaper.

Nothing, however, has struck harder at the fabric of this nation, where Shiites outnumber Sunnis nearly 4 to 1, than the destruction of Shiite worship centers.

The Obama administration has said nothing in public about the destruction.

Bahrain — and its patron, Saudi Arabia — are longtime U.S. allies, and Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Members of the Shiite opposition assembled a list of 27 mosques and other religious structures demolished or damaged in the crackdown. A tour by McClatchy of several townships suggests the number of buildings destroyed is far greater.

The demolitions are carried out daily, Shiite leaders say, with work crews often arriving in the dead of night, accompanied by police and military escorts. In many cases, the workers have hauled away the rubble, leaving no trace, before townspeople awake.

Bahrain's minister of justice and Islamic affairs, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla al Khalifa, defended the demolitions in an interview, claiming that any mosque demolished had been built illegally, recently, and without permission.

"These are not mosques. These are illegal buildings," he said.

That claim, however, is easily challenged. In Aali, for example, the government rerouted a planned highway some years back so as to preserve the Amir Mohammed Braighi mosque, residents say.

McClatchy visited three other sites where "before" photos of the destroyed mosques showed they were well maintained, decades-old structures.

Some sites had a wistful air. At the Sheikh Aabed Mosque in the village of Sitra, once a ramshackle building that residents said was more than a century old, prayer rugs and other religious paraphernalia covered the ground.

On Wednesday, the State Department told McClatchy that it's "concerned by the destruction of religious sites." The statement noted that the Bahraini government had international obligations to preserve the common cultural heritage.

In private, U.S. officials are harsher. One, who's not in Bahrain, said that by bulldozing Shiite mosques and persecuting the political opposition, the government was treating its people like a "captive population."

Another U.S. official visiting the area described the Sunni leadership as "vindictive" and indicated the Obama administration was deeply worried about Bahrain's rapid downward spiral. Both officials asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Shiites have long complained of bias and discrimination here, despite massively outnumbering the entrenched Khalifa dynasty, whose prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa ibn Salman al Khalifa, 75, has held the office for the past 40 years — a current world record.

In mid-March, the government, after a month of protests, abandoned dialogue with moderate Shiites and Sunnis and invited Saudi Arabia to dispatch some 1,500 troops to help quell the unrest. The government imposed a state of emergency and began a crackdown on dissent. Among the first government acts after Saudi troops arrived was the destruction of the iconic Pearl Square, the traffic circle where demonstrators had camped out for weeks.

The government even recalled the half-dinar coins that featured the roundabout.

Most ominous is that hate speech of the sort that preceded the 1994 Rwandan genocide is now allowed in public. The pro-government English language Gulf Daily News last Sunday gave prominence to a reader's letter that compared Shiites to "termites" that should be exterminated.

"The moral is: to get rid of the white ants so they don't come back . . . " said the letter, signed only, "Sana P S."

Bahrain television has carried the canard that the Shiite sect allows its followers to lie, implying that what they say can't be trusted.

The crackdown also threatens to turn what had been an internal conflict into an international one.

Shiite led-Iran, which lies across the Gulf, is actively vying for influence in this predominantly Shiite state and has condemned the organized destruction of Shiite culture. The upheaval also has stirred passions in Shiite-ruled Iraq.

But Arab language television channels, including Al Jazeera, which is owned by the emir of Qatar, and Al Arabiya, which is Saudi owned, have been mostly silent about the wanton destruction.

Interviewed Monday, Sheikh Khalid, the justice minister, brought Arabic language spreadsheets stating the reasons for destruction as well as a book of records of the demolition program, complete with photographs. But he couldn't locate a reference to or photographs of Nwaidrat's Mo'men mosque in his briefing book, which listed all structures by number, not name.

He declined to provide a copy of the briefing book or the spreadsheet to McClatchy, saying they were "internal correspondence," and asked that no photograph be taken of him holding the briefing book.

Asked whether tearing down a long-standing, functioning place of worship would be viewed as a criminal offense in Bahrain, Sheikh Khalid appeared taken aback.

"If there is a fault or a mistake and (they) can prove it, the same place will be rebuilt in a much, much better shape," he later said.

And if they were operating under the law, why did the state demolition crews destroy the building after dark, when residents couldn't photograph the action?

"It is very difficult to do it in the morning. It is a kind of respect for people's psychology," Sheikh Khalid replied. "We were trying to put it in a way that it will not hurt he people. At least they do not see it while it is being demolished."

Because the material he was provided didn't list mosques by name, the justice minister also couldn't say for sure whether other religious structures visited by McClatchy were old construction, new construction, legal or illegal, or on private or public land.

He said there'd been 41 "procedures" against religious structures in Bahrain's capital, Manama, but in many instances, those taken down were just temporary structures. He could only point to two Sunni religious structures that had been taken down.

Sheikh Khalid himself had earlier stated publicly that Bahrain had approximately 600 religious structures, and only 10 percent had been demolished. But he declined to confirm that figure.

Every foreign resident and most Bahrainis contacted by McClatchy seemed deeply discouraged about the future of communal relations on this once-promising island, but Justice Minister Khalid disagreed.

"I think we've reached the maximum bottom we can reach," he said. "My conviction is that things will not get much worse." One day later, he chaired a press conference where he announced plans for the trial of 47 doctors and other medical personnel.

Asked Monday if the trial might not remind many abroad of the show-trials that dictators such as Joseph Stalin had held, Sheikh Khalid said quietly, "There were also trials of doctors at Nuremberg."

He was referring to the trials of 21 physicians who took part in the Nazi program to euthanize the mentally ill, retarded and physically disabled or in medical experiments on patients without their permission.Â

(Hannah Allam in Cairo contributed to this story.)

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Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 6:09 PM
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thepearlroundabout.org

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Detainees appearing in military court on Sunday are named

Posted: 07 May 2011 03:13 PM PDT

Emergency UK briefing on the human rights situation in Bahrain

Posted: 07 May 2011 10:44 AM PDT

Islamic Human Rights Commission and the Lord Avebury hold an emergency briefing on the human rights situation in Bahrain.

Campaign to try Bahrain Royal Family for War Crimes

Posted: 07 May 2011 09:35 AM PDT

Bahraini’s take torture evidence to UN

Posted: 07 May 2011 09:32 AM PDT

The International Criminal Court (ICC) will decide this week as to whether it plans to accept a case of war crimes against Bahrain’s government. A group of Bahrainis living in Britain, with a team of international lawyers, travelled to The Hague last week to present their report to the prosecutor.

U.S. labor urges trade pact with Bahrain be suspended

Posted: 07 May 2011 09:31 AM PDT

The largest U.S. labor group wants President Barack Obama's administration to suspend a free trade pact with Bahrain over human rights abuses in the kingdom's crackdown on anti-government protests.

Bahrain’s rulers cast net for loyalty oaths online

Posted: 07 May 2011 09:30 AM PDT

While Bahrain's justice minister was making the latest accusations against alleged enemies of the state – this time medical staff – other officials were busy organizing a patriotic blitz that encourages pledges of loyalty on Facebook and Twitter. Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/06/3609239/bahrains-rulers-cast-net-for-loyalty.html#ixzz1LgWQBYgH

Free Ebrahim Sharif, a Political Prisoner in Bahrain

Posted: 07 May 2011 05:49 AM PDT

Ebrahim Sharif is a 53-year-old Bahraini politician, businessman, husband, father — and now, a political prisoner. He serves as the secretary general of the National Democratic Action Society (also known as Waad), a secular, moderate, and peaceful political opposition group in Bahrain.

University of Bahrain and attacks on the university students – Chronology of events

Posted: 07 May 2011 04:32 AM PDT

Ongoing incommunicado and arbitrary detention of Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja

Posted: 07 May 2011 04:30 AM PDT

The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the ongoing incommunicado and arbitrary detention of Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, former MENA Director at Front Line and former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

Shooting from passing car at university (video)

Posted: 07 May 2011 04:28 AM PDT
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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Subject: Important information about the trial of prominent Bahraini's on Sunday (today)
To: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
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Dear Friends,
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To give you a quick overview on tomorrows case:

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There are several things worth mentioning. The people going on trial are of very diverse backgrounds and from different political societies and/or organizations. Some of these detainees were in detention during the beginning of the mass pro-democracy protests after they were arrested during the previous crackdown in August and then released in late February with amnesty from the King.
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The way in which these arrests and detentions have been carried out have lacked the most basic of legal and human rights. The detainees were not allowed conversations with their lawyers, and those allowed to call their families, were allowed one phone call which would always be less than a minute after approximately 10 days of arrest. During those 10 days they were not allowed any type of contact with anyone. None were allowed to meet their families. Most of the arrests took place in night raids between 1 and 4am. No warrants were provided at the time of the arrest, many were beaten during the arrest, and we have received information from reliable sources that many were subjected to severe torture during their detention. None of the detention locations of these detainees were known.
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The detainees:

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Abdulwahab Hussain Ali is the official spokesman of AlWafa' society. He is well known and respected in Bahrain as a philosopher and a writer. He spoke to international media about the situation in Bahrain.
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Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa is the president of the National Action Democrat Society (Waad). He is a liberal Sunni and Waad was the first society to be shut down by the government after the protests. He spoke to international media about the situation in Bahrain.
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Hassan Ali Mushaima is the president of the Haq movement and is also a respected religious scholar. He was tried in absentia during the crackdown that started last August. Mushaima reported to the UN and also spoke at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom about violations in Bahrain. His son Mohammed Mushaima was sentenced during the August crackdown to one year imprisonment for taking pictures of unrest in Bahrain and broadcasting them internationally.
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Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is an internationally prominent human rights defender. He was one of the founders of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and recently worked as the Middle East and North Africa Region regional director at Frontline Defenders. He has been arrested several times previously and beaten by security forces when participating in peaceful protests. He is also a Danish citizen. His two sons-in-law were arrested during the raid in which he was arrested. They remain in detention today.
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Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace is head of the human rights office at Haq movement. He was arrested in mid-august during the previous crackdown and released in late February after the mass protests. He has been a prominent figure in speaking internationally about human rights violations in Bahrain. He is also a blogger. He suffers from child's paralysis and relies on his wheelchair for movement. His eldest son Hussain Al Singace is in detention and his other son Hassan is in hiding as they are looking for him. His daughter Zahra was arrested and interrogated for several hours then released.
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Mohammed Habib Al Safaf (AlMuqdad) is a prominent religious figure in Bahrain, head AlZahraa Society for Orphans and is also an activist. He has been known to speak out and criticize the government on human rights violations. He was arrested during the crackdown last August, and when released in late February, the centre was able to document the severity of the torture he had been subjected to. He previously had filed a case against the Minister of Interior for the use of the illegal bird shotgun against civilians. He is also a Swedish citizen. AlMuqdad spoke at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom about violations in Bahrain.
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Saeed Mirza Ahmed AlNouri is a prominent religious figure in Bahrain as well as an active member of AlWafa'. He has been known to speak out and criticize the government on human rights violations. He was arrested during the crackdown last August, and when released in late February, the centre was able to document the severity of the torture he had been subjected to. His brother was also arrested, Maytham AlNouri.
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Abduljalil Mansoor Makki AlMuqdad: is a prominent religious figure and head of AlWafa'. He is known to speak about violations in Bahrain during Friday prayer sermons. He is Mohammed Habib AlMuqdad's cousin. His brother was also arrested, Ahmed Radhi AlMuqdad. He spoke in international media outlets about violations in Bahrain.
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AlHurr Yousif Mohammed AlSumaikh is a member of the Haq movement. He was arrested during the crackdown last August and subjected to torture then released in late February.
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Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos is a prominent religious figure in Bahrain. He is the vice president of the AlZahraa Scoeity for Orphans. He has been known to speak out and criticize the government on human rights violations. He was arrested during the crackdown last August, and when released in late February, the centre was able to document the severity of the torture he had been subjected to.
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Salah Hubail Al Khawaja is a former member of the Amal Society. During the recent mass pro-democracy protests he documented human rights violations and reported them through the international media. He is also Abdulhadi's younger brother. His wife was subjected to sexual harassment during the arrest.
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Mohammed Hassan Jawad Parweez is a human rights defender who was also arrested then released during the crackdown last August. He is well known for speaking out against violations in Bahrain and he was the oldest detainee during the previous crackdown.
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Mohammed Ali Ismael is a social activist.
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Being tried in absentia:

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Aqeel Ahmed Al Mafoodh is an independent political activist. He was arrested during the crackdown in August and was subjected to the most severe forms of torture. He headed the media tent during the mass pro-democracy protests at the Pearl Roundabout and spoke to the international media about violations in Bahrain. His two sons, Ahmed AlMahfoodh and Mahmood AlMahfoodh, as well as his brother, Fadhel AlMahfoodh, were arrested to force him to hand himself in.
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Ali Hassan Abdullah AbdulEmam is a prominent blogger and founder of popular BahrainOnline Forum. He was arrested during the previous crackdown in August and he spoke about the torture he had been subjected to after his release in late February. He did interviews with international media and participated in international conferences for bloggers.
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Abdulghani Ali Khanjar is the head of the Anti-Torture committee and is an activist who was arrested during the crackdown in August and subjected to severe torture. AlKhanjar participated in public events internationally about the human rights violations in Bahrain. AlKhanjar spoke at the House of Lords and to international media about violations in Bahrain.
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Saeed Abdulnabi AlShehabi is the president of the Bahrain Freedom Movement and has lived most of his life in the United Kingdom. He is known to be vocal about human rights abuses in Bahrain and was tried in absentia during the crackdown last August.
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Abdulraoof Al Shayeb is the head of AlKhalas Movement in the United Kingdom and he had moved to the UK to seek political asylum a few years back after being tortured by Bahraini authorities. He was also an active member of the Torture Victims Committee. Al Shayeb spoke to the international media about violations in Bahrain. Last night security forces raided his wife's kindergarten and vandalized it. They also arrested his son, Taleb AlShayeb, then released him a few hours later.
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Abbas Al Omran is an active member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and moved to the United Kingdom seeking political asylum after he was arrested and tortured a few years back. AlOmran speaks to international media about violations in Bahrain.
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Ali Hassan Mushaima is outspoken critic of the Bahraini government and a member of the Committee for the Unemployed. He sought political asylum in the United Kingdom after being arrested and tortured by the Bahraini Authorities. He is above mentioned Hassan Mushaima's son. He speaks to international media about violations in Bahrain.
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The announcement of the trial on the Bahrain News Agency: http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/455661.
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The Charges:
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In regards to the charges brought against the detainees that are based upon articles of Bahrain Penal Code 1976, the law no. 58 for 2006 related to the protection of society against terrorist acts, law related to money laundering and financing terrorism for the year 2001 and the law related to meetings and processions for 2006, all of the accusations are expressed in a very vague and imprecise manner. In fact, the law that the allegations derive from is of a very ambiguous nature itself. This in practice allows the prosecution to decide its extensive interpretation and application. In accordance with the international standards, the prosecution would have to provide a very strong and unequivocal evidence in order to be successful as most of the alleged charges carry the sentence of life imprisonment. Moreover, one of the allegations based upon article 122 of the Penal Code 1976, that alleges spying and communicating on behalf of a foreign country against the State of Bahrain, if proven, will mandate a penalty as extreme as capital punishment. The lightest possible sentence for the detainees in this case is a prison sentence of no less than five years. This can only be in the situation if the accused is proven to be only guilty of one of the twelve of the allegations; namely joining any society which actions are deemed to be of a „terrorist” nature as defined in Article 1 of the law no. 58 for 2006 related to the protection of society against terrorist acts.
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Regards,
Â

—

Â

Maryam Al-Khawaja

Contact:

+44-7587303080 / +1(401)572-6597

Head of Foreign Relations Office

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Â

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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 3:13 PM
Subject: URGENT: 21 prominent Bahraini's to go on trial tomorrow morning.
To: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
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Dear Friends,

Bahraini authorities have announced that 21 one people are to be put on trial tomorrow at 8am (Bahrain time). Lawyers were informed less than 12 hours before the trial. This is an urgent call to send international observers, lawyers and human rights defenders as well as country officials to attend the hearing.

As taken from the Bahrain News Agency:

Twenty-one suspects referred to National Safety Court
Manama, May 7 (BNA) Military Public Prosecutor at the BDF stated that the military prosecution had referred 21 suspects to the National Safety Court involved in the case of the terrorist organization related to the attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organization working for a foreign country. The military public prosecutor had formed an investigation team for the case comprising several public prosecutors and 14 suspects were questioned.

Those questioned included Abdulwahab Hussain Ali, Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa, Hassan Ali Mushaima, Abdulhadi Al Khawaj, Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singas, Mohammed Habib Al Safaf, Saeed Mirza Ahmed, Abduljalil Mansoor Makki, Al Hurra Yousif Mohammed, Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos, Salah Hubail Al Khawaj, Mohammed Hassan Jawad and Mohammed Ali Ismael.

Meanwhile, the rest of the suspects were referred to the court in the same case in absentia due to them not being arrested yet warrants were sent for their arrest via the Interpol for those abroad. These included Akeel Ahmed Al Mafoodh, Ali Hassan Abdullah, Abdulghani Ali Khanjar, Saeed Abdulnabi Shehab, Abdulraoof Al Shayeb, Abbas Al Umran and Ali Hassan Mushaima.

Meanwhile, the military public prosecutor affirmed that the suspects are accused of the following:

1. Organising and managing a terrorist group for the overthrow and the change of the country’s constitution and the royal rule in accordance with article (1,6) of the law no. 58 for 2006 related to the protection of society against terrorist acts.

2. The seeking and correspondence with a terrorist organization abroad working for a foreign country to conduct heinous acts against the Kingdom of Bahrain in accordance with article (122) of the criminal law for the 1976.

3. An attempt to overthrow and change the country’s constitution and Royal rule by force in accordance with article (148) of the criminal law for 1976.

4. An attempt to incite and solicit the overthrow and change the country’s constitution and Royal rule by force in accordance with article (160) of the criminal law for 1976.

5. The collection and providing of money for the terrorist group with the knowledge of its practices and terrorist activities in accordance with law related to money laundering and financing terrorism for the year 2001.

6. The obtaining of publications that contain content inciting the overthrow of the governing law in the country by force in accordance with article (161) of the same law.

7. Insult the army according to the article (216) of the same law.

8. Inciting publicly towards the hatred of the governing law of the country in accordance to article no (165) of the same law.

9. Broadcasting false news and rumours that caused the threatening of public security and inflecting damage to public interest in accordance to article (168) of the same law.

10. Inciting the hatred of a certain sect of people in accordance to article (172) of the same law.

11. Inciting incompliance with the law that is considered a crime in accordance with article (173) of the same law.

12. Organising and participating in rallies without the permission of the specialized body according to article (1,2,3,9,13) of the law related to meetings and processions for 2006.

The military public prosecutor affirmed that the military prosecution had maintained all the judiciary assurances for suspects arrested in accordance to the laws especially that related to contacting their relatives and enabling their attorneys to attend the questioning sessions.

h.s

BNA 2113 GMT 2011/05/07
I will update you about the trial tomorrow as soon as any information is provided.
—

Â

Maryam Al-Khawaja

Contact:

+44-7587303080 / +1(401)572-6597

Head of Foreign Relations Office

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Â

Â
Â
———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Subject: Arab Spring Comes in Western Arms
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Published on Truthout (http://www.truthout.org)

Home > Arab Spring Comes in Western Arms

Arab Spring Comes in Western Arms

By Yana
Created 2011-05-07 06:33

Arab Spring Comes in Western Arms

Saturday 7 May 2011
by: Simba Russeau, Inter Press Service [3]

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Tear gas is fired on Egyptian protesters marching during demonstrations in Cairo on Jan. 28, 2011. (Photo: Scott Nelson / The New York Times)

Cairo – Global spending on arms in 2010 were an estimated 1.6 trillion dollars, with governments in the Middle East dishing out more than 111 billion for weapons – raising questions as to whether Western arms suppliers circumvented international treaties by exporting to repressive regimes.

Last year, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt accounted for over 75 percent of U.S. arms sales – with Saudi Arabia ordering more than 60 billion dollars in weaponry, making it the leading buyer.Â

"There is no doubt that the intersection of arms sales and human rights is a sticky one, and late last year the [Government Accountability Office] GAO reported that the U.S. Defence and State Departments haven’t always documented their reasons for such sales consistently," Laicie Olson, senior policy analyst with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington told IPS.Â

According to reports, the U.S. is the leading supplier of conventional arms to the Middle East, surpassing Russia – which is the world’s second largest arms supplier – by nearly 20 percent.Â

Large defence contractors such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin are some of the major profiteers – these companies and their employees depend on arms sales for a significant portion of their revenue.Â

However, in a region that is said to be one of the most militarised in the world, human rights advocates claim that the U.S. continues to circumvent legislation like the Leahy Amendment, which prohibits U.S. arms sales to governments that fail to curb grave human rights violations.Â

Countries like Saudi Arabia whose human rights record in regards to migrant domestic worker abuse, women’s rights and upholding a juvenile death penalty have come under particular scrutiny.Â

"There does seem to be a level of reform there that needs to be undertaken. However, there are also cases in which U.S. arms sales have provided an inroad for upholding human rights," Olson said.Â

"In Egypt, the U.S. was able to exert a fair amount influence due to its long-time support of the military. There were a few small breaks in this trend but, ultimately, Egypt did not go the way of so many other countries in the Middle East who seem to have decided the only way to quell a revolution is to [literally] kill it."Â

Critics argue that the Egyptian military was right in line with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen in their use of U.S.-made tear gas, tanks and other types of equipment to brutally crack down on anti-regime rebellions.Â

"In the Middle East you’re seeing tear gas, water cannons, shotguns, firearms and armoured vehicles being used to disperse protests and for law enforcement or internal security operations that in some cases have involved lethal force," Helen Hughes, a researcher with the UK-based Amnesty International told IPS.Â

Arms export licences from European Union (EU) member states such as France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Malta, Bulgaria, Spain, Belgium and Poland to Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia doubled from 985 million euros in 2008 to 2 billion euros in 2009.Â

In February of this year, the UK government revoked 52 licences for Bahrain and Libya due to their brutal crackdown on dissent. They also implemented an arms embargo on Libya in response to U.N. Resolution 1973. A fourth quarter listing in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Strategic Export Control Reports revealed that in 2010 combat aircraft and small arms totalling 3.76 million pounds were licensed by the UK to Libya.Â

"With the EU, which actually already has an export control regime that is called the EU Common Position on Export Controls you have a criteria on human rights that relates to internal repression and serious human rights violations as well as also international humanitarian law," explained Hughes.Â

"But it seems that from the transfers that we’ve been monitoring over the last five years – in relation to say for example Libya, Bahrain or elsewhere in the region – that the governments haven’t been rigorously complying with that criteria."Â

The hope is that "with the international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) there would be a much clearer and stricter obligation on states to prohibit arms transfers where a potential risk exists and also a methodology to assist in regulating this international law," Hughes added.Â

According to Olson, the ATT – which was created to curb the irresponsible trade and transfer of arms – raises some important questions about the limitations of arms sales, what they currently are, and maybe what they should be.Â

But there are problems. "Under the ATT the U.S. and UK would be able to arm Muammar Gaddafi, but not Libya’s rebels, since Gaddafi is still the head of an internationally recognised government and the rebels, well… are not," Olson said.Â

Some analysts are arguing that the NATO intervention in Libya is a platform for arms dealers to showcase their weaponry to potential buyers.Â

"For example, even to get membership into NATO some countries have to in effect upgrade their military to a certain level," Anup Shah, creator of the website Global Issues told IPS. "So for some Eastern European countries who are joining NATO from a pure economic perspective it’s like a boom to the military industrial complex as they’ll have a new source of nations to sell arms to."

Â
Â
———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Sat, May 7, 2011 at 1:50 AM
Subject: Updates from Bahrain
To: "Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D." ccavell@gmail.com
Â
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[redacted]
 Â
Things are almost the same in Bahrain, The tension is still on and people just refuse to put what happened behind them. They actually started boycotting each other in order to show how much they hate each other, it is going out of hand, socially.

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[redacted]
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Â
———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Fri, May 6, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Subject: hello
Â
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This is a short video that shows live bullets shot on UOB students on 13/3/2011; In Bahrain, civilians are not allowed to have any kind of arms; only people from the royal family and security have access to arms.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgwRGR9cbFQ
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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 6, 2011 at 2:32 PM
Subject: Attacking and burning down of Saeed Ayyad's home, torture of Alkhawaja, activist at high risk
Â
 Â

Dear Friends,

Â

In an alarming update, Saeed Ayyad’s house was fired upon by security forces using teargas which carries a flame. As a result his home caught on fire and you can see the fire and the result in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkEKPsI1Dzk. Saeed fled his room as the shot was directed at his bedroom window and he managed to get out of the house..

Â

Saeed Ayyad is an activist who has been taking international visitors around to speak to witnesses and document violations. We have reason to believe that his house was targeted due to his activism. Â

In regards to Alkhawaja’s case, Abdulhadi was seen at the Bahrain Defense Force hospital. According to sources his face was unrecognizable due to the severity of the torture he had been subjected to, as he had several fractures to the jaw and to the skull. His arms and legs were black and it is believed to be the result of hanging for long periods of time. Parts of his face and head had to be stitched due to the injuries. Abdulhadi is a Danish citizen and was arrested on the 8th of April after being beaten unconscious along with his two sons-in-law. His wife, Khadija AlMousawi was fired from her job as Head of Guidance and Administrative Manager at Kanoo International School after working there for 10 years by order of the Ministry of Interior.
All detainees remain at very high risk of torture and their lives may be at risk.

Â
Â

Naji Fateel, member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights is at high risk as security forces raided his house again in search for him, but he has already gone into hiding. Fateel was previously arrested and tortured.

Regards,
Â
—

Â

Maryam Al-Khawaja

Contact:

+44-7587303080 / +1(401)572-6597

Head of Foreign Relations Office

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Â

Â

Â
Â
———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Randy Martin <rmartin@mysticmule.net>
Date: Fri, May 6, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Subject: this one got farther than some of the others I've sent…
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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Thu, May 5, 2011 at 4:28 AM
Subject: from Bahrain
To: "Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D." <ccavell@gmail.com>
Â
Â
Â
Thought you might find the attached from today's GDN of interest. My highlighting and color comments.

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[redacted]
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We were not involved… Â

      By TOM HANRATTY ,  Posted on » Thursday, May 05, 2011

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A PROMINENT businessman has come forward to deny allegations that his company supplied anti-government protesters with free food during a month-long occupation of the GCC (Pearl) Roundabout. Jawad Group chief executive officer Faisal Jawad claimed the rumour was baseless and said his company was in no way involved with demonstrators. His group is now being boycotted by Bahrainis who disagreed with the protest movement, while some of his shops were vandalised during the height of unrest.

Mr Jawad said seven of his group's convenience stores were damaged and four had still not reopened (including the convenience store opposite the West Gate and the one at the petrol station next to the Awali Roundabout).

"We had seven convenience stores damaged at the height of the crisis," Mr Jawad told the GDN.

"I think that when human temperature is high, people feel angry and maybe (for sure!) some people's anger was reflected in the damage to our stores.

"There were quite a few stories going around – rumours that somehow we, as a company, were involved in what was going on near the Central Market (in Manama).

"I can solemnly and categorically say with absolute confidence that we were not involved in any way in helping or supporting anyone who was there (at the GCC Roundabout)."

The businessman said he believed rumours of his company supplying free goods to protesters at the GCC Roundabout started because of the close proximity of one of the group's 24 Hours Market convenience stores, which he admitted enjoyed bumper sales in February and March.

However, he said he did not resent those now boycotting his company.

"We are not feeling bitter about it," he said.

Â

Rumours

"There's no point reacting against these kind of rumours because, at the end of the day, we are a Bahrain-based company, we belong to this land and we're going to remain here forever."

While Mr Jawad's 24 Hours Market near the GCC Roundabout enjoyed impressive sales during the protests, other companies were not so lucky.

Anti-government protests caused massive disruption and left dozens of firms facing bankruptcy, according to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses that rely on tourism were among the most affected, as expats were advised to leave Bahrain and visitors from Saudi Arabia were prevented from entering the country across the King Fahad Causeway.

Businesses in Manama were also hit as shoppers stayed away from the capital.

The GDN reported on Tuesday that 120 companies had complained to the BCCI about their "critical situation", while the chamber said dozens were facing bankruptcy.

Mr Jawad said his group had seen business drop by around a quarter compared to normal.

"At the moment in Bahrain, we are operating about 25 per cent down on what we usually would be at this time," he said.

"Maybe in the next couple of months, things will start getting back to normal."

Rumours of the Jawad Group's support of protesters has prompted an e-mail campaign calling for people to boycott the firm and asking its international partners to sever ties with the company, accusing it of supporting "terrorists".

The group owns the Bahrain franchises of several well-known international chains including Costa Coffee, Burger King, Monsoon, Accessorize, French Connection UK, BHS, Travelex, Avis, Mango, Shoe Citi, Chili's, Dairy Queen, Hush Puppies and Papa John's, among others.

Mr Jawad said he was aware of the campaign and admitted the company was taking it seriously.

"We took this e-mail very seriously because we are dealing with reputable companies worldwide and we did send a response to our principals, specifying that the content of this e-mail is false," he said.

"It is important for us to refute such allegations because the allegations in this e-mail and others were, as far as we're concerned, untrue.

"The good thing is that these reputable companies worldwide know who they're dealing with and they know that we are innocent until proven guilty."

Mr Jawad said his company, like others, had been hit hard – but added business was now improving.

"Speaking from our group's point of view, business has been affected to a great extent," he said.

In addition to his company being boycotted, Mr Jawad has also come in for criticism for a letter he wrote to the GDN, in which he attacked local media – saying its role in the Middle East was to protect "corrupt governments and not to say the truth and expose unlimited ill-gotten wealth" (no, you’re kidding!).

The letter, published on March 1, also expressed support for the international media's reporting of events in Bahrain (big mistake) – angering many who felt foreign journalists had been guilty of distorting the facts (didn’t you realize that all foreign journalists are basically liars when it comes to Bahrain?).

Looking back, Mr Jawad admitted to feeling a certain amount of regret for airing his views.

Â

Opinion

"I studied in the UK for about four or five years," he said.

"In the UK I was among people and a society in which, if you have an opinion, you can say it without fearing any repercussion because, regardless of what that opinion is, it is an opinion.

"When I wrote the note to the GDN, I thought that in 2011 we lived in a society that would allow people to share their opinion and that's why I wrote it (but you didn’t notice you’re no longer in the UK? You’re in Bahrain, which Reporters Without Borders ranked in the bottom 20% regarding freedom of the press in 2010. No doubt that ranking will go even lower in 2011).

"Maybe, though, people (you mean the government?) here are not ready for others to air their opinion and maybe in retrospect I regret writing that letter" (I can hardly blame you).

Meanwhile, Mr Jawad said he remained upbeat and predicted it could take as little as six months for Bahrain's business community to recover.

"I don't have a crystal ball in front of me so I could be wrong," he said.

"Like I said, I am very positively minded. Maybe it will take six months. I hope it won't even take that long, but it may take longer.

"I am a Bahraini and I am always confident about Bahrain. Bahrain is a great country and I'm sure it will bounce back."

He also revealed his company was already in talks with a French firm to launch a new venture in Bahrain, despite the current climate.

"We had a meeting with people from Paris with a view to starting up a new franchise in Bahrain," he explained.

"Obviously, if business does not improve over the next few weeks, it's not going to happen.

"But we are confident we have a good environment around us now and we have explained this to the client."

Â

Â
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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Wed, May 4, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Â
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thepearlroundabout.org

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Link to thepearlroundabout.org

Bahrain renews emergency law as repression persists

Posted: 04 May 2011 02:09 PM PDT

The Bahraini government must end its relentless crackdown on human rights, Amnesty International said today after the country's parliament voted to extend a repressive state of emergency amid continued arrests of dissidents.

Bahrain charging doctors over protest deaths

Posted: 04 May 2011 01:53 PM PDT

Bahrain says it will charge a number of medical workers with causing the death of two demonstrators, broadening a crackdown on the opposition in the wake of protests that shook the Gulf island kingdom.

Bahrain charges 50 medical staff with anti-state conspiracy

Posted: 04 May 2011 01:52 PM PDT

Up to 50 doctors and nurses who treated anti-government protesters injured during the recent demonstrations in Bahrain were charged yesterday with acts against the state.

Bahraini activist ‘severely tortured’ (video)

Posted: 04 May 2011 01:48 PM PDT

Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) says prominent human rights activist Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja has been tortured beyond recognition by Saudi-backed regime forces.

Bahrain refers 47 medics to military court

Posted: 04 May 2011 01:47 PM PDT

Bahraini authorities have referred 47 medics to a military court after accusing them of abusing their posts to take part in anti-regime protests that were crushed in March.

Bahrain loses allure as offshore money haven

Posted: 04 May 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Bahrain lost more of its appeal as a haven for offshore money during March after a period of social unrest in the island kingdom came on top of stiff regional banking competition from Dubai.

Bahraini opposition figure speaks to Al Jazeera (video)

Posted: 04 May 2011 07:40 AM PDT

Mattar Ibrahim Mattar is one of two members of Bahrain's opposition Al Wefaq party who have been arrested by authorities in the Gulf country.

BAHRAIN: Medical staff face prosecution, alleged torture after aiding anti-government protesters

Posted: 04 May 2011 07:36 AM PDT

Nearly 50 doctors, nurses and other medical staff have been detained in Bahrain in connection with treating anti-government protesters, human-rights officials said Wednesday.

The West’s Schizophrenia in a Transforming Middle East

Posted: 04 May 2011 03:54 AM PDT

Journalists in Bahrain: The Murder of Free Speech and the Siege of Freedom

Posted: 03 May 2011 01:51 PM PDT

More than 68 journalists have been subjected to lay-off, arrest and threats because of their work Bahraini journalists call for a helping hand and for the adoption of measures to insure their safety.
You are subscribed to email updates from thepearlroundabout.org

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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Bahrain Center for Human Rights <Bahrain_Center_for_Human_Rights@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Wed, May 4, 2011 at 2:12 AM
Subject: Four protesters sentenced to death and three given life imprisonment
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bchr

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

For the Latest updates please follow BCHR on twitter: http://twitter.com/BahrainRights/bchr-7

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Four protesters sentenced to death and three given life imprisonment

Bahrain resorting to martial law against protesters

On the left: A banner placed on the road calling the government to apply the maximum punishment and no forgiveness.
On the Right: The Military Court

May 2, 2011

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights condemns any acts of violence against any human being, and calls for holding anyone responsible for these acts of violence. The Center also stresses the importance of giving any and every person charged with any crime access to a fully independent and fair trial according to international standards in civilian courts.

In a case made against 7 protesters charged with killing Kashef Ahmed Mandhoor and Mohammed Farooq Abdulsamad, Bahraini Authorities announced today after a closed military trial that four were sentenced to death while three were given life imprisonment.

Â

BYSHR: A man died in custody confesed on television that he had killed a police men

Today ( 28 April , 2011 ) , Bahrain T.V showed the “confessions” of the accused who killed two police men and who were sentenced today ( 4 death penalties and 3 life sentences). One of the those, the first to be shown making a confession, is Mr. Ali Isa Saqer, who had died in custody on the 9th of April, 2011. (attached a video of the confessions as shown on Bahrain T.V. with his photo).

Statement by the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on death sentences in Bahrain

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 3 May 2011
A 171/11

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

“I am deeply concerned about the imminent risk of execution of four Bahraini nationals sentenced to death by a military court on 28 April for the alleged murder of two police officers during antigovernment protests in March. The charges are serious, but the fact that civilians were tried before a military court behind closed doors, is a further cause for concern.

European Parliament: Death sentences in Bahrain: joint statement by EP committee chairs

External relations − 03-05-2011 – 17:15

Committee: Foreign Affairs

The death sentences passed on four anti-government protesters in Bahrain on 28 April prompted thousands of appeals, posted by Bahrainis on the European Parliament's Facebook page, for help to get them revoked. Moved by these appeals, committee chairs Gabriele Albertini (Foreign Affairs), Heidi Hautala (Human Rights Sub-Committee) and Angelika Niebler (Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula) issued the following joint statement on Tuesday.

HRW: Bahrain: Set Aside Martial Law Death Sentences

4 Civilians Condemned to Death, 3 to Life in Prison in Unfair Military Trial

May 2, 2011

(Washington, DC) – Bahraini authorities should set aside a military court ruling on April 28, 2011, sentencing four defendants to death and three others to life in prison for their alleged involvement in the murder of two police officers, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch understands that the seven defendants, ages 19 to 24, whose trial and sentencing lasted less than two weeks, are the first civilians to be convicted in special military courts set up after King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa declared martial law on March 15.

Obama urges Bahrain king to respect 'universal rights'

1 May 2011

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama urged Bahrain's monarch to respect "universal rights of the people" on Saturday, two days after the tiny Gulf state sentenced several protesters to death.

US officials have criticized Bahrain over the speed of a trial in which Shiite pro-democracy protesters were sentenced to death and life in prison for killing two policemen.

UK concern over death sentence for Bahrain protestors

30 April 2011

Four Bahrainis protestors sentenced to death for killing of two policemen.

Commenting on the death sentence given to four Bahrainis for the killing of two policemen during the recent protests in Bahrain, a Foreign Office spokesperson said:

"The UK is concerned by the death sentences given to four Bahrainis. We support Bahrain’s right to bring to justice those responsible for the death of two policemen. But it is our longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances.

AFP: US raps Bahrain over speed of trial

30 April 2011

WASHINGTON — The United States on Friday criticized Bahrain over the speed of a trial in which Shiite pro-democracy protesters were sentenced to death and life in prison for killing two policemen.

State Department Policy Planning Director Jacob Sullivan also said Washington has urged Bahrain at the highest levels to move toward "a comprehensive political dialogue" to end the political unrest.

Germany calls on Bahrain to rescind death sentences

BERLIN, April 29 (Reuters) – Germany urged Bahrain's ruling

monarchy on Friday to rescind death sentences handed down to a
group of men accused of killing policemen in recent protests.

A Bahraini military court on Thursday ordered the death

penalty for four Shi'ite men over the killing of two policemen.
The turmoil began with Shi'ite-led protests in February
demanding greater political liberties.

France calls on the Bahraini authorities not to apply the death penalty

Death sentences in Bahrain (April 29, 2011)

Four people were sentenced to death April 28 for the murder of two police officers during the events of recent weeks, which have shocked and saddened Bahrain.

France, like its European partners, is resolutely opposed to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances.

We call on the Bahraini authorities not to apply the death penalty.

Amnesty International: Bahrain urged to halt execution of protesters

28 April 2011

Authorities in Bahrain must not allow the execution of four protesters sentenced to death by a military court over the killing of two police officers in anti-government demonstrations last month, Amnesty International said today.

“The Bahraini authorities have a responsibility to bring to justice those who commit violent crimes. But when doing so, they must uphold the right to fair trial and they must not use the death penalty under any circumstances,” said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

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The President of the European Parliament Buzek on the sentencing to death of Bahrainis

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Condemnation for the crackdown on protestors in Bahrain (Strasbourg ).

The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek strongly condemns the death sentence passed against four Bahraini protestors.

EP President Buzek said: "I condemn the sentencing to death of the four protestors in Bahrain and I call for their sentences to be reviewed. The fact that the trial took place behind closed doors is deplorable. The EU is opposed to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances.

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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: Bahrain Updates #13: Workers of the World Celebrate May 1, International Labor Day…though not in Bahrain this year….
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[redacted]
Â
Yes, I am still in Manama.
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[redacted]

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Your contacts are giving you reliable information, compared with my contacts and what I am seeing and hearing.
Â
Yes, the siege is tighter than ever as is the repression and violations. Grim situation here. But pro-democracy protest still continuing despite the awful persecution: arrests, torture, killing. Meanwhile, the economy is suffering big time from the so-called state of emergency. Protesters feel that time is on their side, by continuing to force the regime to maintain this crippling, self-defeating state of emergency.
Â
Some people among the pro-democracy movement are saying that a threshold is nearing when people will be so humiliated, desperate that counter violence will happen, out of self-defence. But given that there are, as far as I can [tell], no weapons available to oppositionists (despite baseless and breathless official claims of Iranian involvement), I personally can't see how counter violence would lead to a resolution, perhaps indeed to make the situation worse for the populace.
Â
But you are so right in your commentary, and [redacted] the repression is only sowing more seeds for future conflict.
Â
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[redacted]

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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Subject: Concern about fate of medical staff as authorities build numerous charges against them…
To: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Â
Â
Dear Friends,
Â
As taken from the Bahrain News Agency:
Â
"The number of defendants who have been questioned is now 47, including 24 doctors and 23 nurses and paramedics. The military prosecution has leveled the following charges against them:
Â
Refusal to extend assistance to a person in need, embezzlement of public funds, assault that resulted in death, unauthorized possession of weapons and ammunition, refusal to perform duties and putting people's lives and health at risk, illegal detention, abuse of authority to suspend and stall laws and regulations, attempt to occupy buildings by force, incitement to the forceful overthrow of a political regime, incitement to the hatred of a regime, incitement to the hatred of a segment of society, dissemination of false news and malicious rumors that could harm public interest and participation in unauthorized rallies and meetings. The investigations are continuing."
Â
Â
There is concern that the aforementioned were tortured to stage "confessions" and that they may face severe sentences.
Â

—

Â

Maryam Al-Khawaja

Contact:

+44-7587303080 / +1(401)572-6597

Head of Foreign Relations Office

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

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From: Bahrain Center for Human Rights <Bahrain_Center_for_Human_Rights@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Subject: Journalists in Bahrain: The Murder of Free Speech and the Siege of Freedom
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Bahrain Center for Human Rights

For the Latest updates please follow BCHR on twitter: http://twitter.com/BahrainRights/bchr-7

More than 68 journalists have been subjected to lay-off, arrest and threats because of their work

Bahraini journalists call for a helping hand and for the adoption of measures to insure their safety.

3 May 2011

Since the 14th of February 2011, Bahrain has seen a political movement demanding freedom, democracy, and the revival of communal partnership in the framework of the civil movements seeking freedom which are currently overrunning Arab countries. This was followed by brutal security crackdowns and the entry of the Peninsula Shield forces (Military units of 6 Gulf countries) into Bahrain. Journalists engaged in this event with daily coverage through both their jobs at local newspapers, through their announcements on satellite television stations, by writing to Arabic newspapers in the framework of their presence at the site of action, and via effective action through online social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Because of that, journalists have been subjected to a campaign of lay-offs and collective arrests affecting more than 68 journalists, while many have received different threats originating from the Bahraini authorities,

RSF: Bahrain king is press 'predator'

3 May 2011

AFP: Media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) added Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa to its latest blacklist of "predators" against press freedom on Tuesday.

The king entered the watchdog's list of 38 state "predators" that "sow terror among journalists", which included three Arab countries hit by recent protests — Syria, Bahrain, Yemen — and Libya, where conflict has broken out.

Freedom of the Press 2011: Bahrain is NOT FREE

Freedom of the Press 2011 identifies the greatest threats to independent media in 196 countries and territories. Released on May 2 as part of the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day celebration in Washington, D.C., the report shows that global media freedom has reached a new low point, contributing to an environment in which only one in every six people live in countries with a Free press.

MENA Journalists & Cyber Activists: In the Line of Fire

by Dr Agnes Callamard, executive director at ARTICLE 19

April 27, 2011

From Morocco to Bahrain, everyday people have taken on the cast iron hold of dictatorships and absolute monarchies resulting in an extraordinary collective awakening that has paved the way for epochal change in the region. The youth movement, which lies at the core of the uprisings, continues to play a prominent role in the pro-democracy and pro-reform demonstrations, which have swept through the region, unabated by government clampdowns or concessions.

Freedom on the Net 2011: Bahrain is NOT FREE

On April 18, 2011, Freedom House released its latest Freedom on the Net report assessing the degree of internet freedom around the world. The new edition includes detailed country reports and a first-of-its-kind numerical index covering 37 countries in six geographical regions. In addition, an analytical overview essay and accompanying graphics will highlight key findings and emerging threats to global digital media freedom.

2 Media Professionals die in detention

12 April 2011- Reporters Without Borders strongly condemns netizen Zakariya Rashid Hassan’s death in detention on 9 April, six days after his arrest on charges of inciting hatred, disseminating false news, promoting sectarianism and calling for the regime’s overthrow in online forums. He moderated a now-closed forum providing information about his village of origin, Al-Dair.

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His family has rejected the interior ministry’s claim that he died as a result of sickle cell anemia complications.

April 13, 2011- (Manama) – The death of businessman and activist Kareem Fakhrawi on April 12, 2011, shows the urgent need for thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of torture, Human Rights Watch said today. It was the fourth detainee death reported by the Bahrain government in nine days.

–Click on the photo to view a large version on Facebook–

At Fakhrawi's funeral on April 13 in Manama's Hoora district, a crowd of mourners demanded to see his corpse because of concerns he had been tortured.

Bahrain: UN official urges probe after media professionals die in detention

21 April 2011 – A senior United Nations official today called for an investigation into the deaths of two media professionals in Bahrain who died earlier this month while held in detention.

Karim Fakhrawi, the co-founder of the country’s only independent newspaper Al-Wasat, died in custody on 12 April, one week after he was arrested.

CPJ: Bahrain detains columnist

New York, April 25, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Bahraini authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Haidar Mohammed al-Nuaimi, a columnist for daily newspaper Al-Wasat. Roughly 30 uniformed and plainclothes police raided al-Nuaimi's family home in Manama today, dragging him into the street and beating him, local journalists told CPJ.

Al-Nuaimi was then taken to an unknown location, according to the same accounts.

Read more

AIPS: Bahraini sports journalist among hundreds arrested in government crackdown

MANAMA, April 15, 2011 – The human rights organisation, The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has reported the arrest of a local sports journalist to AIPS.

An email received today says Faisal Hayat, a journalist who worked for the local newspaper Albilad and who was "known for analysing football matches on popular sport shows on Arabic satellite channels" was detained on April 8 for participating in the Athletes' and Journalists' March during the protests on February 14.

The communique states that Faisal Hayat's photograph appeared on a show on the official Bahrain television station which attacked public figures who had participated in the protest.

A serious development and forthright turnover on the international conventions and agreements signed on public freedom.

Bahrain’s authorities target the president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights and its members.

17th of April 2011

Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its deep concern at the continuing crackdown launched by the authorities in Bahrain on activists and human rights defenders by targeting, prosecuting and raiding homes of the members of Bahrain Center for Human Rights in particular, and the exploitation of media owned by the government to discredit and question their credibility. Security forces, the army and armed civilian militia recently raided the home of a prominent human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab – the President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights as well as Yousif Al-Mahafdhah – a blogger and a senior member in Bahrain Center for Human Rights – in addition to the raid and arrest of Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Sultan, a member in the Media Center at Bahrain Center for Human Rights and who’s fate remains unknown since the arrest.

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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 7:36 AM
Subject: More Bahrain opposition arrests and extra-legal executions
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From: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 3:55 AM
Subject: Arrest of two resigned members of parliament, two Swedish citizens and president of Medical Society. AlKhawajas wife fired from her job.
To: Maryam Al-Khawaja <maryam.alkhawaja@gmail.com>
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Dear Friends,
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In recent developments, Bahraini authorities arrested two former members of Parliament from AlWefaq political party: Matar Matar and Jawad Fairouz. MP Jawad Fairuz is known for highlighting government corruption and unfair distribution of lands as he attempted to bring the case to parliament. Matar Matar has been documenting violations and cases of disappearances and arrests through the AlWefaq office and you can watch an interview he did with the BBC here: http://bit.ly/kGfkWM
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Journalists in Bahrain: The Murder of Free Speech and the Siege of Freedom (click to read)


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Four protesters sentenced to death and three given life imprisonment (click to read)


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Bahraini authorities announce charges against the medical staff

Defendants:

23 Doctors.

24 Nurses.

The following list of accusations has been made against the medical staff:

1. The inexcusable refrain from aiding people.

2. The embezzlement of public funds.
3. Physical assault on civilians.
4. Assault leading to death.
5. The possession of unlicensed weapons and ammunition.
6. Refraining from carrying out their employment duties, in aims of hindering medical work, consequently endangering people’s health and lives.
7. The attempt of forcefully occupying a public building.
8. Promotion to bring down and change the regime by illegal means.
9. Inciting hatred against the governing regime.

10.Promoting sectarian hate.
11.Spreading false news and rumors that harm public interest.
12.Participating in unlicensed protests and rallies.

Note: These charges have been translated from Arabic to English and may not be in legal terms.

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In other developments, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja's wife, Khadija AlMousawi was fired from her job on Sunday 2nd May. AlMousawi was Head of Guidance and Administrative Manager at Abdulrahman Kanoo International School where she has worked for the past 10 years. According to family members, AlMousawi was informed that the order for her layoff came from the Ministry of Interior. Five other employees at the same school were also fired.
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Shaikh Mohammed Habib AlMuqdad (Swedish citizen) called his family yesterday asking for clothes. This is the first time his family know that he is being held by the authorities. AlMuqdad was recently released from prison (late February) after being accused of being part of a terrorist cell. After his release AlMuqdad spoke about the torture that he had been subjected to and showed marks left on his body due to electric shocks and other types of torture.
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Dr. Ahmed Jamal, president of the Bahrain Medical Society was arrested from his clinic yesterday.
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Swedish citizen, Khalil AlHalwachi, has gone missing after his daughter found their home vandalized (pictures attached)
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Tunisian award winning blog, Nawaat, declines the Arab eContent Award 2011 awarded by Bahraini government: http://nawaat.org/portail/2011/05/02/nawaat-declines-the-arab-econtent-award-2011/#comment-30964.
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US union group: End trade pact with Bahrain: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/05/02/general-ml-bahrain-us-trade_8444701.html


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Maryam Al-Khawaja

Head of Foreign Relations Office
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
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———- Forwarded message ———-

Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Subject: Al Jazeera: Bahrain arrests opposition politicians
To: "Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D. @ GMail" <ccavell@gmail.com>
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Bahrain arrests opposition politicians
Two prominent members of the Al Wefaq party held after one of them criticised the government publically.
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Last Modified: 02 May 2011 22:50
The Bahraini government has arrested two prominent politicians belonging to the mainly Shia opposition Al Wefaq party, Al Jazeera has learnt.
Both Jawad Ferooz, the vice-president of the party, and Mattar Ibrahim Mattar, who recently resigned as a member of parliament, were detained on Monday evening, sources said.
The arrests came a day after Mattar spoke to Al Jazeera about the threats to opposition politicians, as well as the presence, if any, of a sectarian divide amongst protesters.
"As an example of the threats … a brother of a member of parliament had been killed in custody, and also some of the activists in Wefaq, they already started to attack them, and to arrest them. In fact, yes they didn't close Al Wefaq, but Al Wefaq is a vacuum currently," he said.
"It is difficult for us to move and to communicate with people. [There is] no space any more for political movement, and political activities that we can do. No space for movement and freedom of speech and the basic humanitarian issues, such as medical services."
Mattar told Al Jazeera that Sunnis and Shias alike had been arrested, which indicated that there was not a strong sectarian divide amongst anti-government protesters.
A witness told Al Jazeera that Mattar was ambushed in the street by a group of armed, masked men wearing civilian clothes and travelling in civilian cars.
He was surrounded and forced from his car at gunpoint, then driven away for what family members were told would be "investigation" and "confession", the witness said.
Sources told the Reuters news agency that Ferooz had been taken away by plainclothes policemen from his house.
Mattar is considered a moderate critic of the Sunni-led Bahraini government. He has worked closely with human rights organisations and journalists to uncover the daily violations occurring since the government declared martial law on March 15, and he believed it was likely he would be arrested.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Joe Stork, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch, said his organisation was concerned about the whereabouts of the two politicians, and that their disappearances "fit a pattern" of recent abductions.
"These latest arrests of the two Al Wefaq parliamentarians fit a pattern of masked men abducting Bahraini citizens who happen to have opinions critical of the government. They are taken away, their loved ones have no idea where they are or how to get in touch with them, and they have no access to legal counsel. We know of several cases where people have turned up dead after a week in detention. We have reason to be concerned about the whereabouts and well-being of Mattar Ibrahim and Jawad Ferooz, and the hundreds of other Bahrainis who have been detained, in some cases for more than a month by the authorities."Â
Bahrain's state television recently aired a documentary in which a now-dead protester claimed Mattar ordered him to kill policemen by running them over with his car.
The protester who made this claim on camera subsequently died in prison, his corpse bearing signs of torture.
The Bahraini interior ministry released a statement saying the protester was killed because he "created chaos at the detention centre, prompting the security forces to interfere to bring the situation under control".
Source:
Al Jazeera
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———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Randy Martin <rmartin@mysticmule.net>
Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: A letter to Mr President
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[redacted]
Dear Mr. President,
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I have enclosed a letter to you from my friend Hajar Almahfood, daughter
of Bahrain's Amal Islamic Society Chairman, Sheikh Moahmmed Ali
Almahfoodh. Â Chairman Almahfoodh and his sons were detained early this
morning, apparently by authorities of the ruling al Khalifa regime, for
their apparent participation in recent protests and demonstrations in
pursuit of basic democratic freedom and protection of their human
rights.
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Any help that you might provide in obtaining their freedom and release
of all political prisoners would be a welcome signal that my government,
the USA, is committed to these most basic rights and freedoms.
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I am deeply troubled by the support you and our government continues to
give to the al Khalifa regime. Â It demonstrates a failed and
contradictory policy regarding basic human and democratic rights of the
Bahrainis. Â The US wields enormous influence over the affairs of
Bahrain, perhaps more so than over any other government in the Middle
East and N. Africa. Â Yet you choose to bomb Libya in enmity rather than
assert influence on a "friend". Â Very troubling and disheartening
indeed.
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warm regards,
Randy Martin
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Letter from Hajar Almahfoodh daughter of Bahrain's Amal Islamic Society
Chairman, Sheikh Moahmmed Ali Almahfoodh.
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Dear Mr President,
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I am writing to you from Bahrain. First, I would like to congratulate
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you concerning Bin Ladin. Â However, I am writing to you concerning my

country Bahrain. I am the daughter of Sheikh Moahmmed Ali Almahfoodh,
the chairman of Amal Islamic Society. Â I would like to tell you that
yesterday he was detained with my two brothers to an unknown
destination. A month ago, my husband was arrested as a hostage.
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Mr President, This action is your full responsibility, since your policy

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is to spread democracy. Â Your administration condemned the dissolve of

the societies, and therefore, you have the upper hand to release my
father and brothers, and husband. Â My mother has collapsed as to the
news. Â I beseech your help and protection, and whatever happens to my
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detained family is under your responsibility.

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Finally, I strongly urge your administration to prove to the world that
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the US respects their values and morals, and not double standards as

many people are pointing out currently. Â I always looked at the US
constitution as my aspiration to a better world.
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I want to thank you for your time, and I hope something happens to
reunite my family again.
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Best wishes,
Hajar Mahfoodh
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thank you for taking the time to process this letter and I do hope it

actually made it to someone who can get it in front of you Mr.
President. Â This is an urgent plea which I feel only you can effect the
intervention to prevent an ever going calamity in Bahrain.
Sincerely,

Randy Martin

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Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 6:56 AM
Subject: A letter to Mr President
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Dear friends,
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Can you please help me spread this letter to Mr Obama to help my father, two brothers and husbands:)
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Dear Mr President,
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I am writing to you from Bahrain. First, I would like to congratualte you concerning Bin Ladin. However, I am writing to you concerning my country Bahrain. I am the daughter of Sheikh Moahmmed Ali Almahfoodh, the chairman of Amal Islamic Society. I would like to tell you that yesterday he was detained with my two brothers to an unknown destination. A month ago, my husband was arrested as a hostage.
Mr President,
This action is your fuull responisbility, since your poilscy is to spread democracy. Your administration condemned the dissolve of the societies, and therefore, you have the upper hand to release my father and brothers, and husband. My mother has collapsed as to the news.
I beseech your help and protection, and whatever happens to my detained family is under your responsibilty.
Fianlly, I strongly urge your administaration to prove to the world that the US respects their values and morals, and not double standards as many people are pointing out currently. I always looked at the US constitution as my aspiration to a better world.
I want to thank you for your time, and I hope something happens to reunite my family again.
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Best wishes,
Â
Hajar Mahfoodh
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Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Subject: Bahrain terminology, circa 1984
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Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 5:03 AM
Subject: Breaking news
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Dear friends,
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My father and two brothers are detained since early morning today. My father is the chairman of Amal Islamic society, the second after Alwefaq. Please spread it soon.
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Best,
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