As the Saudis continued to drag their feet in Bahrain by constructing new military bases for their troops of occupation, they are also attempting to dominate the Arab political scene in different ways. At the Arab summit in Kuwait this week, the atmosphere was one of tyranny imposed by the Saudis who dictated the agenda by flexing their financial and political muscles. Instead of addressing the Arab people’s aspiration for freedom and democracy, the Saudis have deflected the debate and presented the pro-democracy movements as “terrorist” including Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the Bahraini activists. They refused to discuss the real terrorists who are supported by their intelligence agencies and petrodollars. Daily killing of innocent civilians in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Lebanon and Egypt have been ignored by the Arab summit. The sentencing of 529 Egyptians to death by the military-controlled judiciary has largely been sidelined.
In Bahrain, the Saudi occupation is behind the recent sentencing of several Bahrainis to death. The aim is to deter the pro-democracy movement and push it to submission.
Meanwhile, the Bahraini activists have escalated their efforts against the Formula 1 race planned to take place in Bahrain on 4-6th April. Termed “Blood race” by victims of Alkhalifa regim, F1 has become symbol of regime’s brutality and indifference to the misery and death of Bahrainis. The Death Squads have been rounding activists right, left and centre to ensure that no major protests are organised during the event.
Over the past 24 hours at least ten people have been detained from the towns of Karbabad, Jannusan and Al Qurayya. Among them is the Hussaini orator, Sheikh Ahmad Al Daqqaq from Karbabad. Yesterday eleven people were arrested from Karbabad, Samaheej, Nuwaidrat, Daih and Al Qurayya. including Sayed Ameen Sayed Hussain Al Mousawi, 17, Hussain Abdulla Al Qassim, from Abu Saiba, Mohammad Jaffar Hassan and Mohammad Jaffar Bu Nasib (from Samaheej). From Karbabad Hussain Abd Al Ali Al Heela, 24 was detained. In London, the pro-democracy Bahraini opposition is holding daily protest outside the F1 headquarters in Kensington. They started on 24th March and will continue for two weeks.
Two days ago, a young Bahraini was arrested because of his father’s activism. Mohsin, the son of Abdul Majeed Abdul Mohsin (known as Hajji Sumood by the revolutionary circles because of his steadfastness despite his old age) was arrested. He was at the Country Mall when members of Death Squads recognised him as the son of Bahrain’s eldest hero and audaciously attacked and arrested him.
On Sunday 23rd March the regime’s forces attacked a religious meeting at Sanabis for no reason. There was a competition in Qur’an recitation when an armoured vehicle was roaming the streets to stop any protest. As it approached the gate of the congregation hall it fired tear gas canisters at the entrance to the hall, causing panic, confusion and the ill-effects of the chemical gases. It was totally unwarranted attack similar to an earlier one last month at another mosque.
The role of the mercenaries in the Alkhalifa defence and security forces have recently come light and caused enormous distress and disappointment among Bahrainis and many Pakistanis. The visit by Bahrain’s dictator to Pakistan last week has aroused concerns that more mercenaries may be hired from that country to help in the crackdown on the ongoing protests. According to the Express Tribune, published with the International New York Times, Hamad Alkhalifa discussed with Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s premier “expanding their existing defence cooperation”. Bahrain’s dictator was also met by the heads of the three services, including Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. The paper said: “Historically, Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy strong defence ties. Pakistan had reportedly helped Bahrain set up its naval forces and 18 per cent of the Gulf state’s air force comprises Pakistani personnel.” It further added: “It is estimated that almost 10,000 Pakistanis are serving in security services of Bahrain. During the Arab Spring, Bahrain is believed to have hired the services of retired military and police officials to quell the revolt.” On 20th March thousands of Pakistanis took part in demonstrations in several cities including Islamabad to protest against the visit by Bahrain’s dictator and to call for an end of Pakistan’s military support of Alkhalifa dictatorship.
Yesterday there was an intervention on Bahrain at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva under item 8. There will be two other interventions today under items 2 and 10. All are calling for international actions against Alkhalifa regime for serious abuses of human rights.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
26th March 2014
