…from beneath the crooked bough, witness 230 years of brutal tyranny by the al Khalifas come to an end

Pro-democracy activists in Bahrain go on trial at military court

TWENTY-ONE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS have been accused by a Bahraini military court of attempting to overthrow the ruling majority with the support of foreign terrorists.

In Bahrain, demonstrators inspired by unrest in the Arab world have been calling for greater political reform since mid-February.

Last month, a military court convicted four men of killing two policemen during the protests and were sentenced to death. Three others were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the deaths, according to Bahraini state media. The verdicts can not be appealed.

Among those going on trial today are human rights activists and some of the top opposition leaders who have been in custody since emergency rule was declared in March, al Jazeera reports. Only 14 of those charged are actually in custody; the others are being tried in absentia.

Over 30 people have died in the unrest and subsequent government crackdown. Last week, Bahrain’s justice minister said 23 doctors and 24 nurses would face charge including attempts to overthrow the monarchy.

A Bahraini government official claims the kingdom has lost up to $2 billion (€1.4 billion) due to the political unrest, Al Arabiya reports. A number of conferences and events, such as the F1 Grand Prix, have been cancelled and over 1,000 workers have reportedly been arrested over their alleged involvement in the protests. …more

Bahrain emergency to be lifted 1 June as opposition face military court
By RFI

Emergency rule in Bahrain is to be lifted on 1 June, state news agency BNA says. Earlier Sunday opposition leaders appeared before a military court, charged with forming a terrorist organisation which aimed to overthrow the monarchy.

King Hamad Al-Khalifa on Sunday ordered that the state of emergency will be lifted at the end of the month. The trial of the 21 – seven of whom are abroad and to be tried in absentia – was adjounred until Thursday.

Only lawyers and two members of the family of each defendant were allowed to attend the trial, according to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. Lawyers are banned from talking to the media, the organisation said.

The group includes both Sunni and Shia Muslims – the majority of the counrty’s population is Shia, while the ruling Khalifa family is Sunni. They are charged with “forming and directing a terrorist group aimed at overthrowing and changing the constitution of the state and the monarchy system,” the official news agency, BNA, said.

They are also accused of “having contact with a terrorist group abroad that operates in the interest of a foreign country by conducting hostile acts against the kingdom of Bahrain” and “raising funds for the terrorist group despite knowing” the nature of the organisation. …more

Further information on UA: 79/11 Index: MDE 11/024/2011 Bahrain Date: 06 May 2011

URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER TORTURED IN DETENTION

‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a prominent human rights defender, has allegedly been tortured in detention and had to undergo surgery as a result of the injuries sustained. He is now being held in an unknown location in Bahrain. Two members of parliament were detained on 1 May and may also be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a prominent human rights defender and former Protection Co-ordinator for Front Line, an international NGO that works with human rights defenders, was arrested on 9 April. His arrest was in connection with the anti-government protests in February and March 2011. He was arrested in his daughter’s house. According to his family, he was beaten during the arrest, taken away barefoot and not allowed to take his medication with him. He has not been permitted family visits, although his family reportedly spoke with him on the phone on 20 April.

According to reports received by Amnesty International, when ‘Abdulhadi Alkhawaja was admitted to the Bahrain Defence Force military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain, around the end of April, he had cracks on his jaw and skull and black marks on his arms, allegedly caused by torture. He was reportedly admitted for six days and had several operations on his head and face. He was hastily returned to prison where he was said to have been tortured again.

The arrests of political opposition figures have continued in April and May. Those arrested include Matar Ibrahim Matar and Jawad Fairouz, who were detained on 1 May. Both men were members of parliament for al-Wefaq, the largest Shi’a party in Bahrain, who resigned together with most other members of al-Wefaq in protest at the government’s crackdown on the protests. On 4 May the Secretary General of the Islamic Action Society, Sheikh Mohamed Ali al-Mahfoodh, was also detained. The whereabouts of the three men remain unknown and Amnesty International fears they might be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. …more

Bahrain:Today (8 May,2011) The trial of opposition leaders and human rights defenders
May 8th, 2011 – by Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights

Today 8 May 2011 at 10 am , The first hearing court session will take place in National Safety Court ( Military court ).

more on defendants here

Defendants:

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

Defendants ( not being arrested yet) :

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

Charges:

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.

…more here

FBI Chastised by Court for Lying About Existence of Surveillance Records
Commentary by Jennifer Lynch

An order last week from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has revealed the FBI lied to the court about the existence of records requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), taking the position that FOIA allows it to withhold information from the court whenever it thinks this is in the interest of national security. Using the strongest possible language, the court disagreed: “The Government cannot, under any circumstance, affirmatively mislead the Court.” Islamic Shura Council of S. Cal. v. FBI (“Shura Council I”), No. 07-1088, 3 (C.D. Cal. April 27, 2011) (emphasis added).

This case may prove relevant in EFF’s ongoing FOIA litigation against the FBI. As discussed further below, one of the issues in Shura Council was the FBI’s extensive and improper use of “outside the scope” redactions. The agency has also used these heavily in at least one of our current cases — in areas where it is highly unlikely the material blocked out is actually outside the scope of our FOIA request. (see example to the left from our case seeking records on the government’s push to expand federal surveillance laws). We’ll be writing more about that case in the coming weeks and posting the documents we received on this site soon.

Shura Council started five years ago in May 2006, after widespread reporting on the FBI’s programs targeting Muslims after September 11, 2001. At that time, several Muslim citizens and organizations in Southern California, including the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), submitted a broad joint FOIA request to the FBI seeking “[a]ny records relating or referring” to themselves, “including . . . records that document any collection of information about monitoring, surveillance, observation, questioning, interrogation, investigation and/or infiltration[.]” Shura Council I at 4. …more

April 4, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – In a move that undermines civil liberties and the rule of law, the Obama administration today announced that it will prosecute the suspects accused of planning the 9/11 attacks in the Guantánamo military commissions system.

In one of the first acts of his new presidency, President Obama called a halt to the military commissions. A joint Department of Justice and Department of Defense task force was then created to conduct careful review of the appropriate forum for trials for accused terrorists held on Guantánamo. Attorney General Eric Holder had announced the result of that process in November 2009: the 9/11 defendants would be prosecuted in federal courts. The administration delayed in response to political pressure, and has now backtracked under pressure from within and outside of Congress. ...more

Bahraini Royal Family accused of war crimes at The Hague’s International Criminal Court
News Segments Fri, 05/06/2011 – 14:35

Today at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, lawyers representing five Bahrainis presented a case against the Bahraini Royal Family and members of regime, accusing them of war crimes. The lawyers presented evidence taken from events in Bahrain since the recent unrest started in mid-February. Yasser Al-Sayegh is one of the plaintiffs and fifteen years ago he himself was a victim of torture under Bahrain’s regime. He joined us from The Hague. …source and audio

The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

In light of the debate following the death of Osama bin Laden, we urge you to make an unequivocal statement that torture is illegal, immoral, and un-American. The use of torture undermines our national security and intelligence gathering efforts. The United States must lead by our core principles and condemn torture.

Sincerely,

General Joseph Hoar, USMC (Ret.)
General Paul J. Kern, USA (Ret.)
General Charles Krulak, USMC (Ret.)
General David M. Maddox, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard Jr., USA (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Lee F. Gunn, USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Charles Otstott, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Harry E. Soyster, USA (Ret.)
Major General John Batiste, USA (Ret.)
Major General Paul D. Eaton, USA (Ret.)
Major General Eugene Fox, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, USN (Ret.)
Major General Melvyn Montano, USAF (Ret.)
Major General William L. Nash, USA (Ret.)
Major General Thomas J. Romig, USA (Ret.)
Major General Walter L. Stewart, Jr., USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General David M. Brahms, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General James P. Cullen, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General Gerald E. Galloway, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General John H. Johns, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General Murray G. Sagsveen, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General Stephen N. Xenakis, USA (Ret.)
Colonel Theodore B. Voorhees, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Smith, USAF (Ret.)
Bob Booker Baer
Vincent Cannistraro
Jack Cloonan
William J. Daugherty, PhD
Honorable Carl Ford
Ambassador Peter W. Galbraith
Honorable John Hamre, PhD
Honorable Alberto Mora
Joe Navarro
Paul Pillar, PhD
Honorable William H. Taft IV
…more

Mr.Fateel with Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about Mr.Naji Fateel Member of the Board of Directors of the BYSHR. Today( 6 May 2011 – 2 am) :Security forces stormed his house, “once again ” looking for him,but could not be found. Mr.Fateel , Previously arrested in 2007 and was released later.He subjected to torture in prison. Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights calls for protection of human rights organizations and human rights defenders. …source

The doctors at the Guantánamo torture center
5 May 2011 [see Side Notes – side bar – on this page for link to Dr. Iacopion’s Paper]

Scientific magazine PLoS Medecine has published a study by Dr Vincent Iacopino (senior medical adviser for Physicians for Human Rights) and retired Brigadier General Stephen Xenakis on the role played by doctors at the Guantánamo torture centre.

Guantanamo’s premises are structured in separate detention blocks. The study examines the cases of nine people detained in the prison boasting the least severe conditions. It shows that the doctors purposefully covered up abuses and prepped the victims to endure additional ones. …source

Author Peter Bergen on Bin Laden’s Death
‘The War on Terror Should Be Retired’
By Gregor Peter Schmitz

US author and security expert Peter Bergen, 48, discusses this week’s killing of Osama bin Laden and why it is time to end the US-led war on terror. The al-Qaida leader’s death, he argues, is likely to fuel a debate in Congress over the Afghanistan deployment and future aid for Pakistan.

SPIEGEL: After President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden, you declared the end of the war on terror. Isn’t that premature?

Bergen : It is hard to think of two events that would more suggest that the war on terrorism should be retired as a kind of operating concept. One is the Arab Spring which undercuts al-Qaida’s ideology, and the second is the death of bin Laden, which undercuts al-Qaida as an organization. There will never be a Treaty of Versailles with al-Qaida — and, in the absence of that, these two events suggest that it is time to move on. The world and the United States have other issues to contend with, like climate change, China and globalization.

SPIEGEL: So you don’t think there is anyone within al-Qaida who could be lined up to replace bin Laden?

Bergen : There will be replacements, but it would be as if Hermann Göring had replaced Adolf Hitler. There are a lot of differences between bin Laden and Hitler, but the one similarity is that when you joined elite Nazi organizations, you pledged a personal allegiance to Hitler, not to Nazism. When you join al-Qaida, you pledge a personal allegiance to bin Laden. That is also true of the affiliates of al-Qaida. Without bin Laden in the picture, it is hard to imagine that Ayman al-Zawahari, or any of the others that we know, would command the same loyalty.

SPIEGEL: Why has it been so difficult to track down bin Laden?

Bergen : It took 15 years after the Holocaust for the Israelis to find Adolf Eichmann, the chief architect of the extermination of the Jews, but not for a lack of trying. They put a lot of resources into that search.

SPIEGEL: But the Americans have access to better technology. Could the world’s best-outfitted intelligence service really be unable to find a fleeing man with kidney trouble for almost 10 years?

Bergen : Bin Laden was off the grid, not communicating electronically. It actually made him harder to track down because the United States is so reliant on signals intelligence. …more

Bahrain Releases Nine Doctors

By Megan Prock on May 5, 2011 Tweet this

Following PHR’s calls for the release of detained doctors and medical staff in Bahrain, nine doctors were reportedly freed. According to PHR’s sources in the field, eight female doctors and one male doctor were released late yesterday evening.

Doctors in Bahrain have been disappearing as part of a systematic attack on medical staff, as detailed in PHR’s recent report, “Do No Harm: A Call for Bahrain to End Systematic Attacks on Doctors and Patients.” Many of the medical professionals are being held incommunicado in unknown locations and on Tuesday the government of Bahrain charged 47 medical staff with trying to overthrow the regime. …more

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D.
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 7:28 AM
Subject: Update on the situation in Bahrain…
To: “Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D. @ GMail”

Folks,

One of my contacts in Bahrain writes the following to me today:
They started killing people from Asian ethnicity in Manama. Workers who live in the margins of Bahrain are being killed cruelly. There are checkpoints in all parts of Bahrain. They are held by residences. This is not from watching state TV. I have encountered these things and managed to run away. I am trying to find a way to get a revolver for self defence. They got into the workplaces at diplomatic area and forced the workers to get out of the buildings. Large parts of the protesters have lost their minds. The rest is just there and watching.
And below is one of the latest updates I’ve received this morning from an American in Bahrain. I’ve removed some information to protect the security of the sender.

csc
__________________
Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 9087
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 734-8187
ccavell@gmail.com
http://www.cscpo.com/

———- Forwarded message ———-
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Subject: Fwd: PLEASE READ: Travel Warning Bahrain

We are waiting to hear whether we will be evacuated in the next few hours and have been advised to pack. I’ve heard guns and tear gas employed in my neighborhood of [redacted], where supposedly most of the 2,000 Saudis are to guard palaces and other vips’ homes (we’re interspersed with poorer villages though). [redacted] had to go out a little bit for water today, even though [redacted] bans it, and saw a lot of the rogue militias , covered faces, and guns, with checkpoints (these are pro-govt supporters or mercenaries, Saudi national guard, who were here even before the troops came, and regular armed thugs). We’re not scared of the protesters at all, though we haven’t seen as many of them around today as yesterday (they’re armed now, in self-defense, finally).

[redacted] Al-Jazeera’s GCC reportage.. it’s been pretty shameful, even with obvious allowances for Japan and Libya considered. They clearly have an agreement (and they’ve sent 500 troops). We’ve had to watch Iran’s Press TV.

We were planning on going to the [redacted] on our own volition, tonight, but were advised to stay off the roads, plus [redacted] to stay in our homes. So, we might just be waiting for [redacted]. Really not sure whether [redacted] to clear out or not; it could go either way. But, one of the [redacted] is being told [redacted] probably won’t be able to get back in the country for a while.

Oh, also: it sounds like Manama’s a lot more normal , right now, though friends have seen the same miles-long rushes on ATMs, Petrol Stations, and supply-stores. Also, we are waiting to hear from [redacted] on whether or not they will be sending home all dependents and non-essential staff. They’re currently having [redacted] meeting.

I sincerely do not feel unsafe, but, this is being called a foreign occupation, there are denouncements, and a lot of students are writing about martyrdom. As always, it’s hard to separate the rhetoric from the likely future consequences. We’ll stick with the [redacted] plan, but even aside from that, we have many, many offers for help from well-connected Bahrainis, Saudis, and Kuwaitis on all sides of this–will wait to hear [redacted] and will let you know [redacted]..

[redacted]

———- Forwarded message ———-
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Subject: PLEASE READ: Travel Warning Bahrain

I will be in touch with all of you today to discuss moving forward. PLEASE stay safe.

For travel information, call 888-407-4747.

Internet Address: http://travel.state.gov

Travel Warning

United States Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC 20520

Bahrain

March 14, 2011

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the potential for ongoing political and civil unrest in Bahrain. We urge U.S. citizens to defer travel to Bahrain at this time. U.S. citizens currently in Bahrain should consider departing. On March 14, 2011, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure from Bahrain of eligible family members of U.S. Embassy staff. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Alert dated February 18, 2011.

Bahrain has experienced a breakdown in law and order in various areas of the country over the last few weeks. Demonstrations have degenerated into violent clashes between police and protesters on several occasions, resulting in injuries. There also have been multiple reports of sectarian groups patrolling areas throughout Bahrain and establishing unofficial vehicle checkpoints. On March 14, 2011, foreign military elements entered Bahrain. Spontaneous demonstrations and violence can be expected throughout the country. There is no indication that U.S. citizens are being threatened or targeted.

While demonstrations have not been directed toward Westerners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse.

The U.S. Embassy in Manama can be reached at (973) 1724-2700; the after-hours emergency number is (973) 1724-2957; the fax number is (973) 1725-6242. Demonstration Notices can be found on the Embassy’s website. U.S. citizens requiring emergency consular assistance may contact the Department via our website by going to the “Middle East and North Africa Situation” site.

U.S. citizens in Bahrain are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Bahrain may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Bahrain, as well as the Worldwide Caution.

Shana L. Kieran

Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

+973 1724 2867

Work week is Sunday-Thursday

Manama is 7 hours ahead of Washington, D.C.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Bahrain Grand Prix decision has deadline extended
Monday, 2 May 2011 UK

Fernando Alonso on his way to victory in the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2010
Formula 1 bosses have given Bahrain until June 3rd to decide whether the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix will be rescheduled this year.

The Gulf kingdom was scheduled to host the opening race of the 2011 season but it was called off amid civil unrest.

A spokesman for governing body the FIA said the decision was taken after consultation with the relevant Bahraini authorities and Formula One Management. Bahrain’s race had been scheduled for 13 March but was called off in February because of anti-government protests.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince made the decision to cancel the race, with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone commenting at the time that it was the right choice.

The Gulf state is still under martial law after a month of protests which followed uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Hundreds of people have been detained for protesting. …more

Bahrain May Be Uprising Too Far for Saudis Avoiding Iran’s Grip
By Glen Carey – Mar 4, 2011 7:53 AM MT

Saudi Arabia has watched revolts unfold in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. When it comes to Bahrain, the world’s largest oil exporter may not be a mere spectator.

Protests on the neighboring island, where the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet guards Gulf oil supply, are being overshadowed by the challenge to Libya’s Muammar Qaddafi. Yet they underscore the sectarian divide in the Muslim world between Shiites and Sunnis that puts Iran on one side and Saudi Arabia on the other in a region that holds about 55 percent of the world’s crude.

“Saudi Arabia is concerned about the expansion of the Shiite crescent,” said Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. “The last thing Riyadh would want to see is Shiite rule in Bahrain. At the end of the day, Saudi Arabia would intervene militarily.”

Instability in Bahrain might affect oil prices more than the ouster of Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak a month later or the turmoil in Libya, according to Mustafa Alani, a regional security expert from the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center.

Mainly Shiite protesters in Bahrain are demanding democracy through free elections from their Sunni monarch. Thousands of demonstrators surrounded the state television headquarters in the capital, Manama, today, shouting slogans against the royal family, after several Shiites were injured in street clashes with Sunnis late yesterday, the Associated Press reported. …more

Bahraini students hounded in Britain
by Siân Ruddick

Bahraini students who study in Britain have had their scholarships and financial support revoked by their government.
They are accused of plotting to bring down the Bahraini regime because they have protested here.
It is part of a systematic attack on Bahraini citizens who support the protests for democracy.

Ahmed and Rashid are students in Britain whose scholarships were terminated by the Bahraini ministry of education. Ahmed told Socialist Worker, “The ministry contacted my family back home to say that the government has taken my scholarship away because I took part in a protest.

“I stand in solidarity with the Bahrani people calling for freedom and justice.

Allowance

“The scholarship pays our fees and a monthly allowance. If they stop the money I won’t be able to carry on. And I can’t go back to Bahrain—if I do, there are concerns I’ll be arrested. “This has put a lot of pressure on my family. They cannot afford to support me.”

Ahmed said that he knows of at least seven students whose funding was cut after they attended a protest in Manchester. Rashid also spoke to Socialist Worker. He said, “Three days after I went on a protest the education minister called my mother. Now they have cancelled everything. …more

Bahrain renews emergency law as repression persists
4 May 2011
AI Index: PRE01/235/2011

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. “The Bahraini authorities must stop detaining anyone who opposes them and release protesters who have been locked up for peacefully demanding reform,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“Even since the protests on the streets were violently crushed in mid-March the government’s persecution of dissidents has not abated, while the renewal of the so-called ‘State of National Safety’ will only exacerbate this human rights crisis.” Bahraini media reported that members of parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly to extend the “State of National Safety” for another three months, even though it is not due to expire for another six weeks.

Emergency law had been used to arrest without judicial warrant and detain incommunicado protesters and political activists, as well as to try civilians before military courts. …more

UN urges Bahrain to free detained activists
UN human rights chief calls for political prisoners be released and for independent probe into allegations of torture.
Last Modified: 05 May 2011 18:23

The United Nations human rights chief has called for Bahrain to free activists it has seized since crushing anti-government protests and for an independent probe into allegations of torture. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay’s remarks on Thursday were the sharpest international criticism yet of the crackdown in Bahrain where the Sunni-led government has arrested hundreds from its Shia Muslim majority since the protests began.

“All political detainees must be immediately released and all detainees must have prompt access to legal counsel,” Pillay said in a statement. “My office has also received reports of severe torture against human rights defenders who are currently in
detention… There must be independent investigations of these cases of death in detention and allegations of torture.”

At least four people have died in detention, and rights groups have criticised death sentences handed out last week to four men accused of killing policemen in March during protests that began with calls for more political liberties in the kingdom. The defendants in that case were accused of running down two policemen with a car in March. Also on Thursday, one man was sentenced to at least five years in jail and another was acquitted. State media earlier said they were accused of trying to kill security personnel by running them over.

At least 13 protesters and four police died in the unrest. Bahrain has said about 400 of those detained will face prosecution, some in a military court that last week handed down the first death sentence to a Bahraini citizen since the mid-1990s, also a period of sectarian-tinged political turmoil. …more

HRW: Bahrain bent on silencing dissent
Published: May 5, 2011 at 11:21 AM

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) — The ruling Sunni minority in Bahrain is intent on punishing anyone who speaks out in opposition to the government, Human Rights Watch said. Two members of an outlawed Shiite al-Wefaq political party, Jawad Ferooz and Mattar Ibrahim Mattar, were arrested this week. The government banned the Shiite party and the opposition Islamic Action Society in April for breaking the law during mass protests and for inciting violence.

Wefaq in 2009 took 18 seats in the 40-member Parliament. Human Rights Watch notes the arrests are the first in Bahrain that targeted elected officials. Authorities in Manama are also under fire for allegedly targeting medical professionals after seven doctors were arrested during the recent crackdown.

Bahrain in the wake of revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt is struggling to suppress a Shiite uprising. Allegations surfaced that authorities are targeting hospitals and healthcare workers to hide the number of dead killed during the unrest.

Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the “vicious” attacks by Bahrain authorities are an obvious attempt to silence dissent. …more