Analyst Notes The New Age of Pan-Arabism
April 22nd, 2011 by Naureen
Writing at Foreign Policy, Parag Khanna notes the new age of Pan-Arabism that is characterized by societies demanding good governance and an inclusive political process. He states that the anti-authoritarian revolutions are “truly borderless” following Al Jazeera’s shaming of Arab autocrats — with the exception of Bahrain — and young activists training together across the region. Khanna also highlights the Arab League’s backing of a no-fly zone in Libya and considerations of peacekeeping forces for Palestine and Lebanon as “examples of a meaningful transnational Arab political sphere coming into being.” Khanna states that “the next great step toward a new Arab renaissance will come through physically overcoming the region’s arbitrary political borders” following the model of the European Union which has moved towards investing in cross-border infrastructure. He states that the Gulf countries could easily finance projects such as the Palestinian Arc project and trans-Arab transport corridors.
Posted in Arab League, Bahrain, Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, EU, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Gulf, Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Protests, Qatar, Reform, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Youth | Comment »
Bahrain: International Groups Express Concern Over Political Detainees/Deaths
April 21st, 2011 by Alec
Amnesty International released an urgent appeal this week on behalf of Bahraini defense lawyer, Mohammed al-Tajer, who was arrested on April 15th. The group believes he is a ‘prisoner of conscience’ and is at risk of torture and may face unfair trial. Amnesty International is urging people to send their appeals on al-Tajer’s behalf to the King, Prime Minister, and Minister of Justice.
The International Federation for Human Rights sent a letter to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton calling on her to meet with detained Bahraini human rights activists during her trip to the country, including al-Tajer and Abdulhadi al-Khawaja (currently on trial), as well as the families and relatives of those who have been detained.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called for the Bahraini government to investigate the deaths of Karim Fakhrawi and Zakariya Rashid Hassan, who died in custody of Bahraini authorities under suspicious conditions. Fakhrawi was the co-founder of the country’s only independent newspaper Al-Wasat; Hassan was an online writer.
Posted in Bahrain, Human Rights, Judiciary | Comment »
Bahrain Update: Top Activist al-Khawaja On Trial
April 21st, 2011 by Alec
Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a top Bahraini human rights activist who was arrested earlier this month with his sons-in-law, is facing a military court trial that began 8 a.m. Thursday morning (Bahrain time) according to family sources. His daughter Zainab al-Khawaja had been on a week long hunger strike in protest of her father’s and other relatives’ arrest and treatment in prison. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja has a long history of human rights activism in Bahrain and has previously been targeted by the government on several occasions. He lived in exile for 12 years and was also imprisoned for a time in 2004 for political dissent but was later pardoned. According to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, more than 800 people have been detained or have disappeared since the imposition of state of “National Safety.”
Update: During an interview with Press TV, Zainab Al-Khawaja stated that her father, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, had called the family requesting clothes for his trial. When they went to go deliver the clothes, they did not allow any of the family or their lawyers to enter the military court in Rifaa. In fact, she noted that they were told that one of the lawyers the family had chosen to represent him was “also on the wanted list, and that he cannot represent anyone.” She states that the government is “trying to punish everyone and anyone” and “spreading fear amongst people.” She called on the U.S. government to side with the Bahraini people.
Andrew Anderson, Deputy Director of the human rights defense group, Front Line, was also refused access to the hearing. He notes that a Bahraini Defense Force officer to whom he spoke with this morning said that “he was not even in a position to confirm whether the hearing was taking place adn that this was a matter for the office of the Military Prosecutor.” Authorities stated that Al-Khawaja was involved in “crimes against security of the Kingdom of Bahrain” and will be able to meet with his lawyer as soon as the case is referred to the military prosecutor. 102 human rights defenders across the region issued a statement, on Thursday, supporting Al-Khawaja and condemning the use of excessive violence during his arrest and trial before a military court.
Posted in Bahrain, Human Rights, Judiciary, Protests | Comment »
Bahrain: State TV Transforms Public Opinion
April 20th, 2011 by Kyle
Karen Leigh, writing at the Atlantic, articulates that the world has been privy to the reality of government sponsored violence and human rights abuses in Bahrain, but Bahraini citizens have not. Leigh asserts that there has been a clamp down on foreign press within the kingdom which has led to a monopoly by the state run television. “The narrative the government wants to put across, which is powerful, is that this is a sectarian conflict, different than what happened in Egypt and Tunisia. And the vehicle it chose to do that with is BTV, because it’s the only thing it had in its arsenal,” said Ali Al-Saffar, Middle East economist. The state run TV, according to Leigh, has planted weapons alongside protesters, faked footage of violence against police officers, and out rightly denied any use of violence by the government against protesters or those associated with the opposition. Leigh reports that officials from al-Wefaq, the Bahraini opposition party, have told her that they are “worried about similarities between BTV’s rhetoric and that of the Hutu radio stations that rallied Rwandan Hutus to slaughter their Tutsi brethren 17 years ago.” Leigh argues that there is a growing tide within Bahrain that the foreign media is lying about events taking place there which is increasing state TV viewership and anti-Shi’a public opinions. The long term effects of this shift are not entirely clear, but Leigh argues that in the short term Shi’ites will continue to be targeted by state security with greater support from the Bahraini public.
Posted in Bahrain, Human Rights, Public Opinion, Sectarianism | Comment »
Bahrain: Doctors Arrested for Participation in Protests
April 19th, 2011 by Ali
A number of doctors were detained by security forces at a medical center in Bahrain. They were rounded up for suspected participation in protests.
One British reporter’s account of a recent trip to Bahrain depicts the country’s crackdown as the result of a rift between liberal royals and the country’s security establishment.
Update: Physicians for Human Rights denounces the “systematic” attack on medical staff in Bahrain.
Posted in Bahrain, Civil Society, Diplomacy, Freedom, Gulf Cooperation Council | Comment »
Sec. Feltman’s Travel to Bahrain, State Dept. Addresses Questions on US Stance on Bahrain
April 19th, 2011 by Naureen
On Monday, Assistant Secretary of State Jeff Feltman met with Bahraini government officials, representatives of Bahraini civil society and members of the opposition to reaffirm “the long standing commitment of the United States to a strong partnership with both the people and the Government of Bahrain.” He also emphasized “the fundamental need for respect for human rights,” reiterated U.S. support for Bahraini national reconciliation and dialogue, and “concurred with the Bahraini leadership’s own embrae of the principles of reform and the respect for rule of law and coexistence.”
State Department spokesman Mark Toner addressed reporters’ questions on Secretary Feltman’s trip to Bahrain and criticism of U.S. policy and rhetoric on Bahrain by stating that the talks between Feltman and Bahraini leadership “took place in a very constructive atmosphere.” He also reiterated the Administration’s belief that “the Bahraini Government needs to respect human rights and needs to address the legitimate aspirations of its own people.”
Posted in Bahrain, Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Protests, Reform, Saudi Arabia | Comment »
Bahrain: Moderates Losing Ground
April 18th, 2011 by Ali
Laura Rozen writes that the crisis in Bahrain is indicative of a reactionary swing in the Arab Spring. Drawing on comments from Professor and Obama advisor, Marc Lynch, and recent editorials by National Security Advisor Tom Donilon and former Ambassador Martin Indyk, she argues that the Washington policy establishment is torn between enthusiasm for the democratic movements and wariness over the regional balance of power against Iran. She also offers an alternative interpretation of Bahrain’s March 14th “invitation” of Saudi troops to contain the internal protests: the intervention sidelined moderates within the regime and empowered hardliners. On the other side of the coin, a University of Michigan graduate student offers research indicating that the moderate opposition in Bahrain may become discredited.
Posted in Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Freedom, Protests, Public Opinion, US foreign policy | Comment »
Bahrain Update: Activist Nabeel Rajab’s Home Attacked
April 18th, 2011 by Alec
According to Human Rights Watch, unknown assailants attacked the house of Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, on Monday. The attack took place early before dawn as the assailants threw teargas grenades at the house. Rajab’s elderly mother, who has respiratory problems, suffered some distress from the attack. The grenades were identified as being manufactures in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Posted in Bahrain, Human Rights, Protests | Comment »
Bahrain: Government Targets Students Abroad
April 18th, 2011 by Alec
The Bahraini government has canceled study scholarships of at least 20 Bahraini students studying abroad in the U.K. for their participation in peaceful protests there. The government also ordered them all to return to Bahrain immediately. Many of the students have expressed fears that they and their families could be subject to arrest and torture as a result of the governments actions. Yassir Saig, of the Manchester-based Bahrain Peace and Justice Movement, said that he believes there are more students who have been ordered to return home but are scared of contacting the organization out of fear.
Posted in Bahrain, Education, Protests | Comment »
HRF Calls on the Administration To Publicly Condemn Human Rights Abuses in Bahrain
April 18th, 2011 by Naureen
On Monday, Human Rights First called on the Obama Administration “to make clear publicly its opposition to ongoing abuses” especially as the Bahraini Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa visits Washington, DC this week. Nearly 600 opposition activist and government critics have been detained in the last two months, with four having died while in police custody this month. Director of the Human Rights Defender program at Human Rights First Brian Dooley stated, “It’s time the Obama Administration lived up to its rhetoric on democracy in the Middle East by speaking out unambiguously on continuing abuses in Bahrain” especially as the regime targets lawyers and doctors who have provided assistance to protesters. Dooley continued by stating: “The Bahrain government should not be held to a different standard because of its ties to Saudi Arabia or for any other reason. The U.S. Government needs to make a decisive break from supproting dictators if it is to have credibility with those in the region working for democracy.”
Dooley also noted how the whereabouts of detained activists such as Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, and prominent defense lawyer Mohammed Issa Al-Tajer remain unknown.
Posted in Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Human Rights, Military, Protests, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy | Comment »
Bahrain Update: GCC Troops to Stay As Counter to Iran, PM Says Conspirators in “Coup Attempt” To be Held Accountable
April 18th, 2011 by Naureen
On Monday, the Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa announced that Gulf troops will stay in Bahrain until its rulers are satisfied that they have effectively countered threats from Iran. ”There is an external threat on the whole Gulf,” Al Khalifa said. He also reiterated that the GCC troops are not there to police, but rather to protect Bahrain’s “vital installations against a foreign threat.”
Bahrain’s state news agency also said on Monday that seven detained opposition supporters will go on trial before a military court for the killing of two policemen and “other charges.” Earlier this month, the media was banned from covering military precedings, leading activists such Nabeel Rajab, the head of Bahrain’s Human Rights Center to believe that the government is hiding something. In an interview at Democracy Now!, Farnaz Sanei, Human Rights Watch Bahrain and Iran researcher said that “[w]hat we’re seeing in Bahrain today is a full-scale crackdown on any sort of dissent in the country…this has gone well beyond trying to reestablish security.” Bahrain’s Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa stated that “Bahrain has witnessed a coup attempt. No violators would get away with it. All conspirators and abettors must be held accountable.” In the meantime, the Bahraini government is continuing to arrest members of the opposition and Bahraini activist Zainab Al-Khawaja continues on the eighth day of her hunger strike. Al-Khawaja urged the U.S. government to put pressure on the Bahraini government to release her family members who were beaten and detained last week. Her father Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is a well known Bahraini human rights activist.
Posted in Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Gulf, Human Rights, Iran, Protests, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy | Comment »
Bahraini Defense Lawyer Arrested by Security Officers
April 18th, 2011 by Naureen
On Friday night, dozens of uniformed and plainclothes security officers raided the home of and arrested a prominent Bahraini defense lawyer, Mohammed al-Tajer after confiscating his personal items such as his laptops, cell phones, and documents. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) neither he nor his family was given any reason for his detention. HRW believes that al-Tajer is the first defense lawyer to be detained in more than a decade, and noted that he is well known for defending opposition figures and human rights activists, including those arrested in recent security sweeps. Nearly 500 doctors and activists are currently being detained by Bahraini authorities. The government’s arrest of a leading defense lawyer shows that Bahrain is taking a turn for the worse on human rights,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW. “The authorities should either release Mohammed al-Tajer or charge him now with a recognizable offense.” HRW is concerned that al-Tajer’s arrest is an effort on the part of Bahraini authorities to intimidate and silence defense lawyers throughout the country.
Posted in Bahrain, Freedom, Human Rights, Protests | Comment »
Bahraini Ambassador to U.S. Discusses Government’s Response to Protests
April 18th, 2011 by Naureen
In response to an April 11th editorial in The Washington Post discussing the crackdown on protesters in Bahrain, Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States Houda Nonoo states that the government had no choice but to act. ”What is a government to do after it opens channels for dialogue and the opportunity is not accepted without preconditions, and after protesters disrupt normal life by attacking hospitals and universities and shutting down the business district?” she asks. Nonoo points to the deployment of security personnel in the United States during violent protests against globalization in Seattle, New York and Washington in recent years as a precedent for the Bahraini government’s response. Additionally, she criticizes the April 11th editorial for failing to note that the GCC troops entered the country only after a request by the Bahraini government and for ignoring that the troops did not police violent demonstrators, but rather assisted in protecting vital infrastructure.
Posted in Bahrain, Gulf Cooperation Council, Human Rights, Military, Protests, Reform | Comment »
Photo: ‘Free Bahrain’ Protest Outside Saudi Embassy in Washington
April 15th, 2011 by Alec
Photo courtesy of Max Fisher
Posted in Bahrain, Protests, Saudi Arabia | Comment »
Sen. Menendez Offers Support for Bahraini People
April 15th, 2011 by Alec
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in a letter to Mustafa Abdi of The American Council for Freedom in Bahrain, stated his concern about the situation in Bahrain and reiterated that supporting pro-democracy protesters and activists in Bahrain is in the U.S. national interest. He stated that it was “essential” for the U.S. to speak out against human rights abuses across the Middle East and North Africa: “The use of force, intimidation, and violence against peaceful protesters are all direct affronts to the fundamental values of freedom and safety we cherish in the United States.” The Senator concluded that he would continue to advocate on behalf of democracy and human rights, particularly on behalf of the Bahraini people in the Senate.
You can read the text of his full letter here.
Posted in Bahrain, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Human Rights, US foreign policy | Comment »
On Bahrain/Gulf Issues, Al Jazeera Goes Quiet
April 15th, 2011 by Alec
Andrew Hammond, writing for Reuters, notes that Al Jazeera’s “pivotal” coverage of uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen, is noticeably absent on the current unrest in Bahrain. Protests in Oman and Saudi Arabia have also gone uncovered by the network. As’ad AbuKhalil of California State University says: “Bahrain does not exist as far as Al Jazeera is concerned, and they have avoided inviting Bahraini or Omani or Saudi critics of those regimes.” AbuKhalil indicated that politics is behind the lack of coverage as Qatar, which headquarters and funds Al Jazeera, may be up for the secretary-general post of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Political analyst Ghanem Nuseibeh noted that Al Jazeera, “went to great lengths to provide non-stop live coverage” of the uprising in Egypt but has not done so in Bahrain. The network maintains that it has “extensively” covered events in Bahrain but that with the current heavy news agenda, editorial priorities are bound to shift based on a variety of factors. Media observers have routinely criticized Al Jazeera in the past over coverage they claim fluctuates on the whims of Qatar’s rulers.
Posted in Bahrain, Gulf Cooperation Council, Journalism, Protests, Qatar, Reform | Comment »
Bahrain: Government Reverses Decision to Dissolve Shia Party
April 15th, 2011 by Alec
A day after it ordered the main Shi’ite opposition party, al-Wefaq, to be dissolved, the Bahraini government has backtracked on its position after criticism from the United States. Al-Wefaq maintains that it has always been in compliance with Bahraini laws and regulations. In a daily press briefing on Thursday, U.S. State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. was concerned by the decision to ban a mainstream political party that had been officially recognized by the government of Bahrain. He called on Bahrain to support freedom of association and expression and, “to foster an environment that encourages political pluralism and participation.” Toner also said that the U.S. would “welcome” the reversing of the decision and that Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman would be visiting Bahrain next week to meet with officials .
Posted in Bahrain, Diplomacy, Political Parties, Protests, US foreign policy | Comment »
Bahrain: Government Orders Opposition Party to be Dissolved
April 14th, 2011 by Alec
The Bahraini government has ordered the largest Shi’ite opposition party, al-Wefaq, to be dissolved. Bahrain’s Justice Minister said he was taking legal actions to dismantle the part for “threatening peace.” This is the latest decision by Bahrain during its crackdown on popular pro-democracy street protests against the ruling Sunni royal family. Human
Freedom House released a statement on Wednesday stating its alarm over the death of detainees in Bahraini prisons. Evidence has emerged indicating severe torture and abuse against Shi’ite protesters and political dissenters who have taken part in anti-regime protests. Director of Advocacy at Freedom House, Paula Schriefer, said that the actions of the Bahraini government demonstrated, “outright disregard on the part of the Bahraini government to ensure the welfare of its citizens.” At least 30 people have died as a result of the crackdown and anywhere between 400-600 people have been arrested.
Update: U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that the U.S. was “concerned” by Bahrain’s recent action to disband al-Wefaq: “We would welcome them reversing this particular action.”
Posted in Bahrain, Freedom, Human Rights, Protests, Reform | Comment »
Bahrain: Freedom House Alarmed Over Imprisoned Activists’ Deaths
April 13th, 2011 by Ali
On Wednesday, Freedom House issued a press release expressing alarm over the recent deaths of four imprisoned Bahrani activists. The report follows the death of Karim Fakhrawi, a businessman and member of the opposition group, Wefaq. While state news claims Fakhrawi died of kidney failure, his family claims his body shows signs of torture. Freedom House director of advocacy, Paula Schriefer, worries about potential widespread abuse of prisoners, as well as lack of information regarding arrests and large-scale lay-offs of protest participants. Wefaq estimates that between 400 and 600 activists are currently detained. The statement also expressed specific concern for Nabeel Rajab, who is at high risk of arrest after publishing photos of Ali Issa Saqr, who died in custody on April 9.
It also mentions Abdulhabi Al-Khawaja, former regional coordinator at FrontLine and former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was arrested on April 9 and whose whereabouts are unknown. His daughter, Zainab Al-Kwajah, is on the second day of a hunger strike. Her sister, Maryam al-Kwajah, approached Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she descended the stage at the U.S.-Islamic World Conference, yesterday, proposing policy measures to pressure the Khalifa regime.
Posted in Bahrain, Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Freedom, Human Rights, Protests, US foreign policy | Comment »
New FY2011 Budget Bill Released
April 12th, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, Congress released H.R.1473, the FY2011 bill which will fund the federal government through September 30th. The bill, which is $78.5 billion less than the President’s FY2011 request, includes $39.9 billion in cuts from FY2010 levels. House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) lauded the bill stating, “Never before has any Congress made dramatic cuts such as those that are in this final legislation.” Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) stated: “The final compromise legislation negotiated with the House of Representatives contains significant spending reductions, but protects the vital economic and security interests of the United States.”
Under the bill, the funding level for the State Department and Foreign Operations totals $48.3 billion, a $504 million reduction from FY2010 levels and $8.4 billion less than the President’s FY2011 request. However, it represents an increase over the proposed cuts in H.R.1, which sought to reduce the State and Foreign Operations budget by $3.8 billion. The bill freezes most of the spending near FY2010 levels. It also makes available up to $250 million for democracy and development assistance in Egypt and asks that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton submit a spending plan with a “comprehensive strategy” to promote these two goals. The bill requires a report by Clinton on the progress of Egypt’s political transition and preparations for free and fair elections, but notably shifts this a requirement from Egypt’s foreign military financing, as proposed in the Senate’s version of the FY11 bill in March, to its economic assistance. Also compared to the March Senate version, the bill omits $5 million in democracy assistance to Tunisia and also prohibits appropriating foreign military funding to Yemen in addition to Bahrain, unless waived by the Administration. It also notes that funds appropriated under the State and Foreign Operations heading may be made available to support other democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa.
To see the full list of cuts to various programs click here.
Posted in Bahrain, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Jordan, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Yemen | Comment »
