Peaceful protesters killed in Bahrain today

[bobgnote]

Compare the posts on later pages, with posts by ignoramouses, on page 1.

Do you think any of the american idiots learned what has been happening, since the death of Muhammed, 632 C.E. our years, or did they just put American Idiot on the I-pod and rock out, to Billy's NSA-feed overproduction?

Hey! Tourists married to the Navy! The US supports Sunni tyrants, like Saddam and King of Bahrain, since the US is an ally of Turkey, where Sunni originated, but Turkey is secular, and Iraq and Bahrain have Shiite majorities! Did you learn that, at one of these threads, finally?

I wonder when the DDs are going to notice the US cannot gain anything, but war and bankruptcy, by supporting former UK imperialism and modern Zionism? We'll run out of money, DDs.

 

[High_Gravity]

Compare the posts on later pages, with posts by ignoramouses, on page 1.

Do you think any of the american idiots learned what has been happening, since the death of Muhammed, 632 C.E. our years, or did they just put American Idiot on the I-pod and rock out, to Billy's NSA-feed overproduction?

Hey! Tourists married to the Navy! The US supports Sunni tyrants, like Saddam and King of Bahrain, since the US is an ally of Turkey, where Sunni originated, but Turkey is secular, and Iraq and Bahrain have Shiite majorities! Did you learn that, at one of these threads, finally?

I wonder when the DDs are going to notice the US cannot gain anything, but war and bankruptcy, by supporting former UK imperialism and modern Zionism? We'll run out of money, DDs.

Dear God shut the fuck up retard.

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain Revolt: 'He Keeps Asking Why We Won't Take Him Home'

Twenty-two-year-old Mohammed Abdulhadi al-Shakar has been confined to a Bahraini prison since September 16, 2011. He doesn’t understand why. Nor does he understand why his brother hasn’t come yet to pick him up. Al-Shaker is mentally disabled. We talked to his brother and aunt in October.

Al-Shaker had been arrested once before, in September. He had joined some guys who went demonstrating and was picked up when the riot police entered the village.

“The next day, we got a phone call from the police explaining where he was imprisoned,” Mohammed’s aunt says. She describes her nephew as an unstoppable boy, who loves to join boys meeting outside. “We can’t control him,” she says. “Mohammed is unable to act independent, which has been established in a medical report issued by the Ministry of Health.”

That first time, Mohammed was released after spending two days in a police prison. “He clearly had been beaten, his eye was red and swollen,” his brother says.

Two weeks later, the scenario was repeated. “Mohammed went to the funeral of a martyr in Sitra (a nearby village) on September 16,” his aunt remembers. “The last thing we heard before he disappeared, was that he had run into a house. For three days, we didn’t know where he was, whether he was arrested or was hiding somewhere. Then we got a phone call from the police saying that Mohammed had been arrested again. Two weeks later he received permission to call us. It was a very short call, enough to know he was so scared.”

“We went to the prison to see him every day after this call. They refused us every time. His medical report was not accepted.”

Bahrain Revolt: 'He Keeps Asking Why We Won't Take Him Home'

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain Medics Trial: 9 Convicted Of Helping Anti-Government Protesters

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Nine medical professionals accused of aiding Bahrain's anti-government uprising were sentenced Thursday to prison terms ranging from one month to five years, a decision that brought complaints from international rights groups and a senior U.S. envoy.

Nine others were freed, and 15-year sentences were upheld against two doctors who fled Bahrain.

The verdicts came nearly eight months after the 20-member group was sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years by a now disbanded security tribunal, set up by the Sunni monarchy as part of crackdowns against Shiite-led protests that began in February 2011. A retrial in civilian court was ordered earlier this year.

The cases against the doctors and nurses were among the most sensitive for Bahrain's leadership as it struggles with near daily clashes and protests by the kingdom's majority Shiites. The state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex was thrust into the forefront of the unrest after security forces stormed a protest encampment in the early weeks of the uprising.

Authorities claim some medical personnel openly sided with the demonstrations and tried to topple Bahrain's ruling system, which has close ties to the West and hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The medical teams deny the charges and accuse state security forces of abuses such as turning wards into makeshift detention sites for suspected protesters. They also alleged they suffered beatings and other torture while in custody.

Michael Posner, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, told reporters in Bahrain's capital, Manama, that Washington was "disappointed" by the court ruling. He appealed for reconciliation talks in Bahrain but acknowledged that the nation remains deeply divided.

In March, Bahrain's government announced it would pursue charges against only five members of the group. But the judge ignored the statement and moved ahead with the retrial for all.

"This is a black day for doctors and medical professionals," said Rula Al Safar, a nurse who was among those freed.

Dr. Ali al-Ikri, who was sentenced to five years, called the decision "political." Those convicted have four weeks to appeal.

Bahrain Medics Trial: 9 Convicted Of Helping Anti-Government Protesters

 

[High_Gravity]

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain court has adjourned the case of an 11-year-old boy accused of taking part in anti-government protests and says it will hand down a verdict July 5.

The sixth-grade student, who was in court Wednesday alongside his father, spent a month behind bars and took his final school exams there. The boy, Ali Hasan, faces charges of joining an illegal gathering and other claims related to the ongoing unrest in the troubled Gulf nation. Defense lawyer Shahzalan Khamis has asked the court to drop the charges.

The boy is among the youngest suspects detained in crackdowns on protests led by Bahrain's Shiite majority, which seeks a greater political voice from the ruling Sunni dynasty.

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

 

[Roudy]

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain court has adjourned the case of an 11-year-old boy accused of taking part in anti-government protests and says it will hand down a verdict July 5.

The sixth-grade student, who was in court Wednesday alongside his father, spent a month behind bars and took his final school exams there. The boy, Ali Hasan, faces charges of joining an illegal gathering and other claims related to the ongoing unrest in the troubled Gulf nation. Defense lawyer Shahzalan Khamis has asked the court to drop the charges.

The boy is among the youngest suspects detained in crackdowns on protests led by Bahrain's Shiite majority, which seeks a greater political voice from the ruling Sunni dynasty.

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

What a bunch of sick fucks. Is there anything that is off limits to these people?

 

[High_Gravity]

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain court has adjourned the case of an 11-year-old boy accused of taking part in anti-government protests and says it will hand down a verdict July 5.

The sixth-grade student, who was in court Wednesday alongside his father, spent a month behind bars and took his final school exams there. The boy, Ali Hasan, faces charges of joining an illegal gathering and other claims related to the ongoing unrest in the troubled Gulf nation. Defense lawyer Shahzalan Khamis has asked the court to drop the charges.

The boy is among the youngest suspects detained in crackdowns on protests led by Bahrain's Shiite majority, which seeks a greater political voice from the ruling Sunni dynasty.

Ali Hasan Trial: Bahrain Delays Verdict In Case Of 11-Year-Old

What a bunch of sick fucks. Is there anything that is off limits to these people?

I honestly don't know, things in Bahrain are heating up and nobody is talking about it.

 

[Jos]

Bahrain: Campaign to arrest Alkhalifa dictator’s torturer son as repression intensifies

The arrest, torture and abuse of a young female University student by the men of John Timoney and John Yates has shaken the country to the core. Zahra Al Shaikh, 21, from Karbabad, was arrested for taking part in an anti-regime peaceful protest. She was subjected to horrific treatment, stripped and indecent images of her were taken by the security forces. She is accused of anti-regime activities and is threatened with a long term prison sentence. Bahrainis have been horrified at the treatment of this young Bahraini girl and have vowed not to accept Alkhalifa rule and to resist it at any cost.

As the Alkhalifa regime intensified its crackdown against Bahrainis, Mohammad Al Buflasa has been arrested and taken to the torture chambers. Mr Al Buflasa is a young Bahraini who was the first to be imprisoned after the Revolution following a speech at the Pearl Roundabout in February 2011. He remained behind bars for ten months before being released. He comes from Sunni background and his participation in the people’s revolution has angered the Alkhalifa who have been trying to present a sectarian argument to explain the Revolution. Several NGOs have issued statements demanding Al Buflasa’s immediate release, but, to date, Mohammad is still in incarceration at the Alkhalifa torture dungeons.

One of the Alkhlaifa courts has issued ruling against re-building the mosques that had been destroyed by the Al Khalifa/Al Saud joint forces. The Alkhalifa’ ministry of Justice has considered their rebuilding at the hands of the citizens as illegal. Thus a new War ofthe Mosques has developed and more Shia mosques may are being targeted for demolition. The Bissioni report was critical of destroying religious symbols of the native inhabitants.

Bahrain: Campaign to arrest Alkhalifa dictator’s torturer son as repression intensifies

This is yet again a clear demonstration that for the US government, when democracy and human rights don't impede "business as usual", they are tolerated; when they appear as though they may impede "business as usual" for the US, they are not tolerated.

This administration should be duly embarrassed by the horrific,unjust, and inhumane behaviour of the Sunni Alkhlaifa monarchy against its Shiite majority subjects, but you don't hear a word of reproach from Washington, because Bahrain is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

 

[High_Gravity]

Zainab al-Khawaja, Bahrain Activist, Hurt By Gas Canister, Say Witnesses

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahraini police wounded a prominent human rights activist by shooting her in the leg with a tear gas canister, witnesses said Thursday.

Yousef al-Muhafedha, a member of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said he saw police use a gun to fire the canister at Zainab al-Khawaja at close range after anti-government protesters gathered in the village of Buri southwest of the capital of Manama a day earlier.

Police appeared to recognize al-Khawaja, he added.

The injury did not appear life-threatening. Associated Press photos taken shortly after the shooting showed her limping with blood trickling down her right leg.

Al-Khawaja is the daughter of jailed activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, whose hunger strike of more than 100 days brought renewed international attention to the protest movement in Bahrain. She couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

The government Information Affairs Authority said police had not received al-Khawaja's claim of injury, but that all such cases are taken seriously.

"If citizens have been harmed due to misconduct or negligence, they are requested to immediately file a complaint so that it can be investigated as soon as possible," the authority said in an emailed response to questions.

It added that "precaution should always be exercised" by Bahrainis taking part in unauthorized demonstrations.

Clashes between police and protesters happen nearly every day.

As night fell Thursday, witnesses said police fired tear gas in an effort to disperse protesters in Aali and other predominantly Shiite villages south and west of Manama.

Zainab al-Khawaja, Bahrain Activist, Hurt By Gas Canister, Say Witnesses

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain Protests: Court Orders Monitoring For 11-Year-Old

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahraini court ruled Thursday that an 11-year-old boy accused of taking part in anti-government protests may remain at home but must be monitored by authorities.

The ruling appeared to bring the case to a close.

Ali Hasan's case has been closely watched because he was one of the youngest demonstrators taken into custody in the unrest in the strategic Gulf island nation, which serves as the base for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

Bahrain has experienced more than 16 months of near daily protests in an uprising led by the kingdom's Shiite majority. It seeks greater political rights from the Western-backed Sunni monarchy.

The juvenile court judge ruled that Hasan must be monitored by a social worker for a year, according to Bahraini authorities and the boy's lawyer, Shahzalan Khamis. Visits will be scheduled once every six months.

Hasan was detained in May on charges of joining an illegal gathering and other claims related to the unrest. The government alleges he was involved in blocking roads three times on May 13.

He was allowed to return home June 11 after a month in custody. The final ruling in his case wasn't reached until Thursday.

Even with the court's decision, Hasan's legal status remains unclear. Khamis, his lawyer, told The Associated Press that the charges against her client have not formally been dropped.

"The decision today condemns him indirectly," she said after the court's ruling. "I am not happy with the decision. This boy is innocent and did not commit a crime."

Bahrain Protests: Court Orders Monitoring For 11-Year-Old

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain Is Criticized for Its ‘Torrent’ of Tear Gas Use

Despite a pledge to stop abuses by its security forces, the ruling Sunni minority in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain is engaged in systematic and disproportionate use of tear gas on its restive Shiite majority, permitting police officers to routinely fire volleys at point-blank range at crowds and into homes and vehicles in Shiite neighborhoods, a leading rights group said in a report released on Wednesday.

The group, the Physicians for Human Rights, which has been highly critical of the Bahraini monarchy’s behavior since the Shiite protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings began there 18 months ago, called the policy on tear gas use unprecedented in the world, even among dictatorships where tear gas is a staple tool for crowd control.

Its report, based on dozens of interviews of victims in Bahrain and forensic evidence gathered there by the group’s investigators in April, said the Shiite populace’s abnormally prolonged exposure to the tear gas’s toxic components had already led to an alarming increase in miscarriages, respiratory ailments and other maladies.

It documented examples of grievous wounds suffered by civilians whose skulls and limbs had been struck by metal tear gas canisters blasted from a few feet away. The report also described instances in which people not engaged in protests were attacked with tear gas fired into their cars and through the windows or doors of their homes, including at least two cases in which residents died from complications from exposure to the gas because they were trapped in enclosed spaces.

“Since February 2011, the Bahraini government has unleashed a torrent of these toxic chemical agents against men, women and children, including the elderly and infirm,” asserted the report, titled “Weaponizing Tear Gas.”

Luma E. Bashmi, acting director of International Media Affairs at Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority, rejected the report’s assertions. “The government of Bahrain denies and condemns the use of lethal force or unlawful means in controlling demonstrations in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” she said in a statement. “Any means that have been exercised by security forces adhere to international standards of riot control. Suggestions that the use of tear gas in Bahrain is severely injurious or even lethal is simply not backed up by any research or proof.”

The report acknowledged that an official Bahraini commission of inquiry that was convened last year to investigate abuses of Shiite protesters was highly critical, finding that security forces had used excessive force, torture and forced confessions in the crackdown. The Bahraini authorities had promised improvements as a result.

Richard Sollom, the deputy director of the Physicians for Human Rights and an author of the report, who was scheduled to testify on Wednesday at a House hearing in Washington on whether Bahrain has adhered to its promises, said that he had become cynical about official Bahraini pledges.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/w...r-torrent-of-tear-gas-use.html?_r=1&ref=world

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain says ban on protests is response to rising violence

(CNN) -- Bahrain defended its decision Wednesday to impose a ban on all public protests, following calls from rights group Amnesty International to lift it immediately as a breach of people's right to free speech.

Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority said in a statement that the ban was needed because "increasing violence has resulted in death and serious injury to many."

Most recently, two police officers died as a result of attacks with petrol bombs and a homemade bomb, the IAA said.

Since the start of the year, there have on average been two or more licensed protests a week, the authority said, many of which expressed views critical of the government.

"However, all too often these demonstrations devolved into violence and lawlessness as demonstrators dispersed and youths armed with petrol bombs and other weapons took their place, launching assaults on public security officers and civilians," the statement said.

Bahrain protests stifled during race From May to July, there were 91 injuries requiring treatment to members of the police force, averaging about one a day, it added.

"The reality is that one would be hard pressed to find a protest that both begins and ends peacefully," IAA spokesman Fahad Albinali said. "The fact of the matter is that there has been an escalation of violence by some elements of the opposition and those who regularly engage in riotous activity."

Violent clashes have broken out between security forces and opposition protesters on numerous occasions since protests began in the Persian Gulf kingdom in February 2011, spurred by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

But Amnesty International warned that a ban on all public gatherings was unwarranted and amounted to a drastic crackdown on people's freedoms.

Bahrain says ban on protests is response to rising violence - CNN.com

 

[High_Gravity]

Bahrain Activist Sentenced For Anti-King Tweets

MANAMA, Bahrain -- A civil court has sentenced an online activist to six months in prison on charges of insulting the Gulf nation's king in Twitter posts, the official news agency said Thursday.

The activist, whose name was not released, was among four people arrested last month for allegedly defaming Bahrain's monarch in cases that mirror other social media crackdowns by Gulf Arab rulers. Court rulings on the three other Twitter activists are expected next week.

The official Bahrain News Agency said that in addition to the sentence, the court on Thursday ordered the activist's laptop and mobile phone confiscated.

Bahrain has been hit by unrest for nearly 21 months as the island's Shiite Muslim majority seeks a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom that hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

The prosecutions have brought strong criticism from media freedom groups – as has the government's announcement Tuesday banning public demonstrations.

The ban is the most sweeping attempt to quash the kingdom's anti-government uprising since martial law rules went into effect during the early months of unrest last year. It sharply increases pressure on political groups from the Shiite majority.

Shiites comprise about 70 percent of Bahrain's 525,000 citizens, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being denied top political and security posts. The Sunni monarchy has made a series of concessions – including giving more powers to the elected parliament – but opposition groups say the reforms do little to loosen the ruling family's hold on power.

Bahrain Activist Sentenced For Anti-King Tweets