Bahrain regime storms Sheikh Issa Qassem’s house

Al Manar

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Bahrain regime forces stormed early Friday the house of Sheikh Issa Qassem in Daraz, Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society reported.

Al-Wefaq added on its account on Twitter that “the house was violated”, indicating that “dozens of soldiers are storming the house of Ayatollah Qassem, breaking doors, frightening women and vandalizing properties”.

Live witnesses were quoted as saying that dozens of soldiers surrounded the house, broke the main gate, and then broke into the house to search it.

The attack upset the Bahrainis, as Al-Wefaq considered this was “a heinous crime”, and held the “Bahraini regime the complete responsibility of storming the house of Ayatollah Qassem”.

For their part, Bahrain’s leading scholars condemned this “disgraceful act”, pointing out that this step “carries serious indicators, and shows irritability and rashness”.

“The Bahraini people will not remain silent on this aggression on the most significant religious symbol, and the authority holds the full responsibility in that,” the statement added, calling on people to “express rejection to this act peacefully”.

In another statement, the religious schools (Hawza) in Bahrain said they were shocked from hearing “about the blatant violation by the security apparatuses on the house of Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassem…”

The statement condemned “the barbaric attack on the house of this great leader and symbol,” and considered that it “violated the security of the nation, and took it to the verge of abyss.”

It further held the regime “the full responsibility of the consequences of this stupid act.”

Bahraini opposition: Int’l community responsible for regime torture crimes & six tweeters sentenced to one year in jail

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Bahraini Opposition: Int’l Community Responsibile for Regime Torture Crimes

Moqawama

Bahraini opposition’s democratic national forces held the international community “accountable for the systematic torture crimes inside and outside Bahraini detention camps, on the streets, and in places specially made for committing such crimes.”

The opposition’s Al-Wefaq, Waed, al-Ikhaa, the Nationalist, and the Unionist Associations noted the detained activist Nabil Rajab’s statement of witnessing dreadful torture methods inside detention camps against children and youth.”

“This reiterates the regime’s inhumane conduct that undermines citizens’ lives and security,” the statement released by the Bahraini opposition mentioned.

“Victims of torture in Bahrain reached thousands in the past 40 years, and it is a continuing policy that the corrupt security mentality adopts, turning security personnel into tools to commit the ugliest kinds of violation against citizens instead of protecting them,” it added.

“This holds the international community, the UN, and all organizations accountable for such organized crimes, since they must take the humanitarian, moral, and legal responsibility in this regards,” the Bahraini opposition further stated.

“The [Bahraini] regime will violate as long as the international community supports it or shows silent, in which the regime would believe is an OK to commit crimes,” it stressed.

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Bahrain sentences six tweeters to one year in jail for insulting king

Press TV

A court in Bahrain has sentenced six tweeters to one year in jail on charges of insulting Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The Bahraini public prosecutor’s office said in a Wednesday statement that the six had been charged and convicted by a lower criminal court for “misusing the right of free expression.”

The statement added that the tweeters were accused of posting remarks “undermining the values and traditions of Bahrain’s society towards the king on Twitter.”…

Bahrain King to UK: “Has anyone asked you to leave?”

by Dave Brown

Al Manar

Regardless of any sense of embarrassment, King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, whose country has been witnessing a popular movement demanding freedom since 2 years, tickled the feelings of the British colonizer by repeating the well-known question of his father: “Has anyone asked you to leave?”

Khalifa, who spoke at a reception ceremony on the occasion of his visit to Britain to attend horses festival, stressed that his Manama would not dispense with London and that Britain kept consistently present in his country, despite the end of the British colonization in 1971.

The King considered the relation between his regime and the United Kingdom “has kept solid as it should be and even maybe stronger.”

He publicly repeated the wonder of his father Prince Issa Bin Salman about thereason behind the British decision to withdraw unilaterally, asking: “Why? Has anyone asked you to leave?”

Khalifa announced the naturalizing of 240 British who had already applied for Bahraini citizenship.

He also said:”The appreciated security British assistance in dealing with the unfortunate events that have been taking place in Bahrain since 2011 and that are still occuring in some small villages.”

‘Bahrain: Capital of torture’ & forces lay siege to village

(File photo)

Moqawama

Thousands of Bahraini anti-government activists flocked to the streets of village of Daih in Bahrain to protest against the torture of victims arrested by the brutal monarchy.

The frustrated mob held up signs that read: “Manama, capital of torture,” and waved the national flag.

“Torture is a practice rooted in the security agencies,” in Bahrain, the main opposition bloc al-Wefaq said in a statement. It added that these practice were “embedded in the security doctrine – corrupt and hostile to the citizens.”

The organization also highlighted the rift between “a political majority demanding a democratic transition and a hard core dictatorship that refuses any change and respond to the popular will.”

The demonstration comes just days after the start of the international campaign under the title “Bahrain capital of torture.”

On Wednesday, Bahrain Forum for Human Rights in Beirut announced the details of the international campaign against torture in prisons on the island.

It also accused the authorities of arresting 120 people during the period between 16 – April 22.

Human rights delegates condemned the use of force on citizens and the media blackout on the repression.

Also on Wednesday, the parliament in Bahrain was presented with a bill that would impose further restrictions on demonstrations. The new law would require organizers to submit a warranty check of more than $50,000 before holding a rally. It would also allow any resident to block a petition.

In late April, Bahrain has unilaterally cancelled a United Nations mission to Manama to assess the country’s progress in eliminating torture.

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‘Bahraini forces lay siege to village’

Press TV

Bahraini regime forces lay siege to Bani Jamra village, west of the capital Manama, amid the continuing crackdown on anti-regime protests in the county, Press TV reports.

The village was placed under siege by police forces on Saturday following anti-regime protests in the region.

Tear gas and gunshots were heard in the village all through the night. Regime forces also set up military blockades across the region as helicopters hovered above, to prevent any movements in the area.

Large numbers of Saudi-backed forces have also been deployed to the village to assist in the crackdown. Bahrain’s main opposition party, the Al-Wefaq has condemned the siege and called for its end.

Al-Khalifa forces vandalize Barbaghi mosque, leave sectarian graffiti

Al Manar

Bahraini security forces vandalized the Prince Mohammad Barbaghi Mosque in Manama on Tuesday, sabotaging its contents and writing sectarian phrases on its walls.

The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Association said in a statement that “such attacks have been repeated against the mosque, which is located opposite to the highway of the A’ali village, “in spite of the constant security presence in the region.”

“Bahrain authorities have demolished more than 30 mosques along with vandalizing dozens of mosques and worship places,” the statement read.

In the meantime, four citizens were arrested for attacking security post in Jerry Sheikh area, south of Manama, Bahraini Ministry of Interior stated Monday evening.

The ministry claims came amid the ongoing peaceful protests in the Kingdom demanding freedom and democracy.

Barbaghi Mosque – which stood for more than 400 years in the town of A’ali – was first demolished in April 2011 by Al-Khalifa troops following the entrance of Saudi military forces in Mid-March 2011 to help the regime in its crackdown over the Bahraini revolution, but was reconstructed in April 2012.

Bahraini court gives 31 anti-regime protesters long jail terms

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Press TV

A court in Bahrain has sentenced 31 anti-regime protesters to 15 years behind bars after convicting them of attacking a police patrol in the village of Sitra.

The group was charged with attempted murder and setting a police car ablaze, in addition to rioting and possessing petrol bombs, their lawyers, who requested anonymity, said on Sunday.

The defendants, however, have denied the charges and said they had been tortured into making confessions, AFP reported.

Bahrain has handed long jail terms to anti-regime protesters as part of its crackdown on protests since the beginning of demonstrations in the Persian Gulf country.

A military court in 2011 sentenced prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and opposition leader Hassan Mushaima to life imprisonment for participating in demonstrations against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty. A civilian court upheld the sentences in September 2012.

Bahraini police arrest 22 protesters

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http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/Arzeh/BahrainF1_zpsb4e71804.jpgPress TV

Bahrain has arrested more than 22 people since February for participation in demonstrations against the Al Khalifa regime, police say.

The police made the announcement in a statement issued on Saturday. The statement added that search was still under way for more protesters.

Bahrain’s main opposition group, al-Wefaq, said on Saturday that 14 people had been detained during police raids on April 25 and 26.

Meanwhile, people held an anti-regime demonstration in the village of Diraz, west of the capital, Manama, on Saturday. The protesters shouted slogans against the Al Khalifa regime.

In recent weeks, anti-regime protests have increased in Bahrain as Manama hosted the controversial Formula One Grand Prix auto race.

On April 25, Bahrainis staged demonstrations to protest the detention of female activists who were arrested in connection to rallies against the Formula One event…

Wide criticism against Bahrain regime violations, irresponsibility

Al Manar

Authorities in Bahrain have voiced “dismay” over an assessment by the US State Department of the rights situation in the kingdom.

“The report includes texts which are totally far from the truth, adopting a manner that fuels terror and terrorists targeting Bahrain’s national security,” state news agency BNA late on Wednesday quoted government spokeswoman Samira Rajab as saying.

A US State Department report released on April 19 said that “the most serious human rights problems included citizens’ inability to change their government peacefully; arrest and detention of protesters on vague charges, in some cases leading to their torture in detention.”

It criticised the “lack of due process in trials of political and human rights activists, medical personnel, teachers, and students, with some resulting in harsh sentences.” The report said that “discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, nationality, and sect persisted, especially against the Shiite population.”

Rajab “deplored the report for lacking objectivity, totally siding with the terrorists who seek to sow chaos in the whole region.”

In the same context, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture said he is “deeply disappointed” that the Manama regime has practically “canceled” his planned visit to Bahrain.

On Wednesday, Juan Mendez said the Bahraini regime was trying to “avoid responsibility” for the torture of demonstrators by deciding to indefinitely postpone his visit, which had been planned for May.

Bahrain claims it has postponed the visit due to ‘delays in ongoing national dialogue.’ However, the UN expert said that the move by the Bahraini regime on Tuesday was “effectively a cancelation” rather than a postponement.

“This was a unilateral decision by the authorities. Unfortunately, it is not the first time the government has tried to avoid responsibility for the postponement of my visit, which was originally supposed to take place over a year ago,” Mendez stated.

Also on Wednesday, Amnesty International slammed Bahrain’s move and said the Manama regime was clearly “not serious” about implementing human rights reforms.

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have raided houses in the capital Manama with tear gas.

Dozens of peaceful protesters have been killed in the regime crackdown since the crisis began two years ago, and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses.

Exclusive from Bahrain: Interview with human rights activist on repression against F1 race protests

Bahrain forces fire poisonous bullets at peaceful protestors

Moqawama

Al-Khalifa forces used poisonous gas bullets to target peaceful protesting citizens in Bahrain to kill them rather than to disperse the crowd, Bahrain’s al-Wefaq Party stated in a report.

International human rights organizations have been called by the party to defend Bahraini people’s rights against vengeful acts by al-Khalifa forces for opposing the regime.

Al-Wefaq further added that the use of poisonous arms and gasses has been restricted by rules, but regime security forces violated the simplest restrictions on use of these arms on humans.

On this note, Ali Javad al-Sheikh, 15, was instantly killed due to a shot from a short distance, the report described as an example of first degree murder.

In addition, Mahmud al-Jaziri was the most recent of these killings, in which he was directly shot in the head by forces in February 14, 2013.

For his part, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a report on human rights matters around the world of the year 2012, mentioning that the most troubling human rights problems in the world is in Bahrain.

“There are many grave violations of human rights in Bahrain, chiefly the arbitrary deprivation of life and detention of individuals on grounds of freedom of expression,” the report said.

Moreover, the report noted information indicating that security forces in Bahrain committed illegal and arbitrary murders.

Human rights groups in Bahrain pointed out that the death toll marked 23 to 29 due to security forces’ shooting whether directly or indirectly, as well as more than 20 deaths due to exposure to teargases.

Also, the document reported that a number of detainees were put in solitary confinement, sometimes at high temperatures, which caused burns in many parts in their bodies. Prisoners further mentioned that officials made them put their shoes in their mouths.

Bahrain police attack F1 protesters

Press TV

Bahraini security forces have clashed with anti-regime protesters, hours ahead of the controversial Formula One Grand Prix auto race.

The violence erupted on Sunday when police attacked protesters blocking roads in the capital, Manama, in protest against the Formula One race.

The protesters also burnt tires on roads in villages outside Manama, according to witnesses.

Protests have increased in Bahrain as the Manama regime prepares to host the controversial sporting event.

Bahrain’s public security chief, Major General Tariq Hassan said in a statement, “Police are out in force to beef up security measures at the Bahrain International Circuit.”

On Saturday, police fired tear gas at anti-regime demonstrators calling for the cancelation of the sporting event over the regime’s crackdown on peaceful protests.

Similar demonstrations were held on Friday, when tens of thousands of Bahrainis rallied along the Budaiya highway west of Manama to demand the cancelation of the race.

Bahrainis have held several anti-F1 rallies over the past few weeks, stressing that “as long as there are oppression, arrests and killings, there should not be a Formula One.”

Bahrain’s main opposition bloc al-Wefaq says more than 100 people have been arrested ahead of the race.

Formula One is Bahrain’s premier international event. Bahrain pays an estimated $40 million a year to host the race. It was cancelled in 2011 as a result of mass anti-regime demonstrations, but in 2012 it went ahead despite protests.

Protests escalate as Bahrain prepares for F1 race

by Dave Brown

Moqawama

Formula one moves to Bahrain this weekend, with the Grand Prix again taking place against a backdrop of long-running dissent and continued protest.

In 2011 the race was shelved due to pro-democracy protests but resumed last year, despite calls for it to be axed due to human rights abuses and heavy-handed police tactics against protesters.

The run-up to Sunday’s race has again witnessed an increase in protests by opposition groups and a crackdown by the Bahrain authorities, prompting fresh calls for F1 to question its annual presence in the country on ethical grounds.

Young protesters who took to the streets sounding drums have called the race “the Formula of blood”.

Formula One’s commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, though, has dismissed concerns about holding the race in the country, while the Bahrain government has pledged to take “appropriate” measures to ensure security.

One notable absentee from the race will be Jean Todt, as he seeks re-election as president of world motorsport governing body the FIA.

Graffiti on walls said: “No F1. Don’t race on our blood.”

This comes as Bahrain’s main opposition bloc called for more peaceful anti-regime demonstrations across the Persian Gulf state ahead of the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix.
“I am calling on people to share peaceful protests to send a message to the world about our demand for peaceful democratic reform,” said Sheikh Ali Salman, head of Bahrain’s al-Wefaq opposition group, on Wednesday.

Salman further urged Bahrainis to take advantage of the spotlight shone on the kingdom due to the international racing event to showcase their message of change.

“I am against violence. Our protest is to take place today, tomorrow and on Friday,” the al-Wefaq leader said.

Khalil Marzouq, a leading figure of the al-Wefaq party, also said tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the main anti-regime demonstration, which is scheduled to be held on Friday.

“These demonstrations show that the movement continues and the demands have not been met yet. Obviously, the presence of the media for the Formula One helps shed the spotlight on Bahrain,” Marzouq added.

Bahraini forces raid high school, fire tear gas

Moqawama

Bahraini security forces have raided a high school in the capital, Manama, firing tear gas at the students angry over the arrest of a fellow student.

Photos published by al-Wefaq opposition party demonstrate tear gas inside the al-Jabiriya high school. According to al-Wefaq, chaos dominated the scene as Interior ministry personals closed the gates of the school to prevent the students from leaving. This took place in response to a peaceful protest the students had organized against the detention of 17 year-old student Hassan Reda Hmaidan, who was arrested Monday morning in school.

Bahrain police tear-gas formula one protesters

by Dave Brown

Moqawama

Bahraini police fired tear-gas and sound bombs to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who gathered outside the capital to protest against this month’s Formula One Grand Prix, witnesses said on Friday.

Thursday night’s demonstration in the village of Khamis, close to Manama, came as a report by Human Rights Watch that police have been rounding up pro-democracy activists in bid to head off protests stoked renewed controversy over the Gulf state’s hosting of the April 19-21 event.

“Your race is a crime,” the protesters chanted in reference to motor racing bosses who have insisted on keeping the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Formula One calendar, witnesses said.
“Down with Hamad,” they shouted in reference to the king.

“The people want the fall of the regime,” the demonstrators chanted, rallying cry of the Arab Spring revolts that rocked the region in 2011.

Clashes erupted when anti-riot police intervened to disperse the crowd, the witnesses said.
One policeman was injured, the interior ministry claimed on Twitter. “He was hit by an improvised bomb detonated remotely,” it said.

Former world champion Damon Hill has called on FIA president Jean Todt to take an ethical stance on the controversial event.

“I think Jean’s approach is say nothing because otherwise you are being political,” said Hill, who won the world title in 1996.

“I think that is a mistake because actually he is being political because he’s being used, or the sport is perceived as being used, by its engagement in the economy and the reputation of the country.”

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said the al-Khalifa regime has arrested 20 opposition activists ahead of the event.

“Bahraini authorities are carrying out home raids and arbitrarily detaining opposition protesters in advance of the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend,” the human rights body said.

Bahraini al-Wefaq: Political prisoners subject to systematic oppression

Moqawama

Bahraini opposition party “al-Wefaq” Association reiterated, “There is a systematic operation by al-Khalifa authorities in Bahrain to oppress opinion prisoners and political detainees.”

In a statement, it pointed out to “the procedures that security forces recently updated that prevents prisoners from family visits under the pretext of refusing to dress in prisoner attire during these visits.”

“This coincides with the complaints of being banned of treatment inside prisons, as well as some being put in solitary confinement as illegal punishments and preventing them from buying and owning basic needs,” the statement further mentioned.