With the prospect of further flare ups next week of the people's revolution, the Al Khalifa have been working around the clock to elicit some international support and legitimacy as a way out of the crisis. Their efforts have, however, failed drastically. The Al Khalifa crown prince's visit to UK and Europe brought not tangible support to his policy of repression and dictatorship. He proved to be an embarrassment to his hosts as people were infuriated by his presence. In London Bahrainis protested outside Downing Street as the Independent Newspaper declared on its front page: "Cameron embraces tyranny". In a speech addressing the Middle East, U.S. President Barack Obama said that "mass arrests and brute force are at odds with the universal rights of Bahrain's citizens, and will not make legitimate calls for reform go away." Calling for dialogue, he added, "You can't have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail." This statement followed the sentencing of two Bahrainis to death on a false accusation of participating in the killing of two policemen. There is now a feeling of outrage at the way the Al Khalifa have been allowed to kill Bahrainis with impunity; whether by bullets while protesting, torture in detention or execution in courts where the judge is the executioner. The ruling has been unanimously condemned throughout the world.
Yesterday, a protest delivered to the Bahrain Embassy in Brussels today by international, European and Belgian trade union organisations called on the authorities in the Gulf state to stop their violent campaign against the country's trade union movement, to reinstate over 1,000 workers sacked and to drop false charges against union leaders, journalists and human rights defenders. "The Bahraini authorities have launched a vicious crackdown on peaceful and legitimate civil society organisations, including the trade union movement. There are real threats to the personal safety of people who are simply calling for legitimate reform and social justice. The government's attempts to promote division and avoid change by misusing the power of the state are wrong and unsustainable. We are calling on them to stop repression, release all detained trade unionists, teachers, journalists, students and workers. The only way to end this impasse which threatens the country's future is to open genuine dialogue for progress, and stop the repression," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow." Embassy officials refused to talk to the delegation delivering today's protest, which, led by ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow, included the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Education International (EI), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Belgian trade union centres ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB and ACLVB/CGSLB, as well as the Tunisian trade union centre UGTT.
The Global peace index 2011 was published on 25th May and showed that Bahrain has dipped down the ladder in terms of peace. It's made up of 23 indicators, ranging from a nation's level of militaryexpenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights. The 2011 data shows that:
• Libya (143) saw the most significant drop – falling 83 places; Bahrain (123) dropped by 51 places – the second largest margin; while Egypt (73) dropped 24 places.
Alba (Aluminium of Bahrain) has downgraded 60 Bahraini employees for taking part in demonstrations. This is in addition to hundreds who had been sacked. The policy of starvation is one of the tools employed by the ruling family as part of its policy of genocide.
Meanwhile the Al Khalifa have been working hard to attract back the Formula1 racing into the country. However, senior members of the race remarked that it was impossible to go back when at least one forth of the employees attached to the race course are being tortured behind bars. The chances of the Al Khalifa ever enjoying holding the race in Bahrain have gone for good as their own existence as rulers is now in serious doubt.
The situation in the country has been volatile and is becoming increasingly agitated as the 1st June approaches. It is expected that the revolution would flare up again after the martial laws have been suspended. In the past few days more protests have taken place in Al Ekr, Al Kawara, Sharakkan, Al Musalla, Al Sanabis, Al Dair. A special protest was organized yesterday at Al Malikiya village to mark the 29th birthday of one of the martyrs; Abdul Redha Bu Hamid. Meanwhile a new drama unfolded at yesterday's court session of the 21 leaders accused of attempting to overthrow the Al Khalifa. Sheikh Mohammad Habib Al Miqdad exposed a deep hole in his leg to the judge saying it was a result of torture by an electric drill. The judge-executioner refused his request to expose more torture marks on his body. Another known case of daily torture is that of Ali Al Singace who has been condemned to death.
More women have been detained in the past few days including Hayat Abdul Aziz Al Haddar, an employee at an Aluminium company. Her request to have medicine for her stomach ailment was refused. Nazihah Saeed, a correspondent of France 24 in Bahrain who was arrested for one day and subjected to most horrific torture and abuse. Unlike the British Embassy which has ingnored the pleas by British Bahrainis to help them out of their torture, The French Embassy intervened and flew Miss Saeed out of the country. Another student, Nawf Al Khawaja has been arrested from the examination room and taken to an unknown location.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
27th May 2011
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