Saturday, March 31, 2012

An Award for the Cowards!


Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) not for all, won the Index Freedom of Expression Award on Advocacy for 2012. Indeed, Index on Censorship award shocked dozens of thousands of Bahrainis and residents being threatened on daily basis by Nabeel Rajab the Bahraini Gangster and Alkhawaja’s gangs in the streets, highways and Shiites villages and activists on twitter and social media working hard to show the truth of the fake Human Rights activists and real face of who are being described by media as pro-democracy protesters asking for political reforms!  










In a video made by Index on Censorship is justifying the winning of BCHR as follows:


John Kampfner, the “Chief Executive” of the Index on Censorship: Advocacy is another term of campaigning, its people working on the ground for change highlighting censorship, lobbying government pushing back the whole time against repressive regimes and against censorship more broadly.

Sigrid Rausing, Publisher, Granata: We chose the BCHR because of their very good work. Bahrain is like the forgotten area in the “Arab Spring” and Nabeel Rajab the director was severely beaten in January!!

Mishal Husain, Broadcaster and Journalist, BBC: They are a unique organization who are working on documenting and evidencing Human Rights abuses. And for me what was really important is that this is a home grown institution, these are Bahrainis who telling the story of what happened!

First: Repressive Regime!

The justifications can be valid for the countries of “Arab Spring”, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, whom their citizens were suffering from dictatorship, poverty, and unemployment. 

It’s unfair and illogical to consider Bahrain as one of the Arab spring countries because Bahrain started its own spring 10 years prior to the recent!


BICI report:

G. A New Era of Promises and Challenges

“By all accounts, the ascension to power of the current monarch, HM King Hamad, ushered in an era of hope, with optimism that the political, economic and social sources of discontent among Bahrainis would be addressed. This optimism was founded on the numerous steps that the country‘s new ruler undertook to ameliorate many of the grievances that had caused civil unrest in Bahrain during the previous decade. The reforms introduced by the monarch put Bahrain, according to a leading international think tank, at the cutting edge of regional liberalization”

"The most significant step towards political reform was announced on 23 November 2000 when HH Emir Hamad appointed a Supreme Committee for the National Charter to prepare a National Action Charter (NAC) that would provide a general framework for constitutional, legislative, judicial, political and economic reform in Bahrain”

“On 18 February 2001, the Prime Minister HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa announced the repeal of the State Security Law and the abolition of the State Security Courts, thereby removing one of the most contentious issues in Bahraini politics since the dismissal of the National Assembly in 1975. Then on 14 February 2002, HH Emir Hamad declared Bahrain a Kingdom and ascended to its throne. This was followed by the promulgation and entry into force of the amended Constitution”

Furthermore, the repressive regimes don’t sign International Human Rights treaties as Bahrain monarchy did!

BICI report:

“Bahrain is party to a number of the main international human rights treaties. These include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the Convention Against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Bahrain is also party to a number of the fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). At the regional level, Bahrain is a party to the Arab Charter on Human Rights”

Second: Lobbying and Working on the ground! 

John Kampfner, said BCHR is working on the ground for change highlighting censorship and lobbying government.

What’s lobbying?

Lobbying (also lobby) is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by many different types of people and organized groups, including individuals in the private sector, corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or advocacy groups (interest groups). Lobbyists may be among a legislator's constituents, meaning a voter or bloc of voters within his or her electoral district, or not; they may engage in lobbying as a business, or not.

Lobbying in the United States describes paid activity in which special interests hire well-connected professional advocates, often lawyers, to argue for specific legislation in decision-making bodies such as the United States Congress.

Lobbying in the United Kigdom is the practice of individuals and organizations trying to influence the opinions of MPs and Lords. Methods of lobbying vary and can range from sending letters, making presentations, providing briefing material to Members and organized rallies.

Alwefaq (Hezbollah in Bahrain) boycotted the first free parliament elections in 2002, then participated in 2006 elections and won 17 seats out of a total of 40 seats. While in 2010 Alwefaq won 18 seats!
Alwefaq is the political army of Shiites opposition in Bahrain and BCHR. For 10 years Alwefaq had the opportunity to lobby in the parliament and through legitimate channels in the Bahraini political system to demand more constitutional reforms without waiting for a revolution that could harm the society and raise sectarian conflict between Shiites and Sunnis as the case now in Bahrain.

BICI report:

“According to reports by the GoB, incitement against expatriates in Bahrain intensified in the aftermath of the contested 2006 parliamentary elections. The GoB alleges that Al Wefaq is responsible for fuelling antiforeigner sentiment and cites a number of articles as inflammatory. For example, the GoB refers to an article published in 2009 which states that ―the majority of naturalized people are barbarians, ignorant, naive, and they are from the mutaradia and natiha [alluding to Islamic terminology of forbidden animal meat] – and they are of Sunni or Salafi origin‖. The GoB also points out the opposition activists often refer to foreign security forces as ―foreign mercenaries‖ and as those behind the crackdown on the protestors. The GoB ties these sentiments to the attacks on expatriate workers”

BCHR and Nabeel Rajab's methods of working on the ground: 


 
















 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


We chose the BCHR because of their very good work!! (You can see the good work!)

Nabeel Rajab was never beaten! Actually he lied

 
Fourth: Is really Bahrain the forgotten area in the Arab Spring?!

All what you need to answer the question is to search Bahrain in any website or search engine!











Fifth: A unique organization

I do agree with Mishal Husain that BCHR is a unique organization working on documenting and evidencing Human Rights abuses in Bahrain but only for Shiites.
BICI report:

“The expatriate population in Bahrain is alleged to have been the target of violent attacks during the events of February/March 2011. Most complaints received by the Commission pertained to physical injuries, property damage, economic loss, deprivation of the freedom of movement, denial of medical treatment and attacks at places of worship”

“A Pakistani Muethini, Sheikh Orfan Mohamed Ahmed, was attacked by a group of individuals who violently assaulted him causing severe injuries, including deep lacerations to his tongue”

“The Commission received 434 complaints from members of the Sunni community. These included claims of physical abuse, verbal abuse and threats to personal safety. The majority of complainants claimed to have suffered emotional distress caused by these violations or inconveniences. Some complainants stated that they were expressly targeted because of their religious affiliation. In addition, the Commission received complaints concerning damage to private property and Sunni mosques”

And more!

On March 5, 2012: The Gulf Daily News newspaper published a shocking number of attacks against expatriates in Bahrain reached 200 attacks!

“ACTIVISTS have registered more than 200 attacks on Asians since the outbreak of last year's unrest, with 20 assaults since the start of this year”

“They claim the "brutal" attacks were carried out by an organised group within the anti-government movement, which incites hate among Bahrainis and targets "vulnerable" expatriate labourers”

On February 9, 2012: The Sun newspaper reported that a gang chop off Brit’s fingers with sword.
“Peter Morrissey, 51, was attacked by a masked gang as he drove through Bahrain streets thronged with anti-government protesters”

“He also suffered a fractured rib and multiple cuts to his body in the savage beating”

On March 30, 2012: Liz lane the Irish expat been defending Bahrain since the failed coup attempt in February 2011. She and her family being traced and faced many physical by Nabeel Rajab’s gangs.

“This statement is my daughters who is 16yrs old ....

As we were parked next to the beach in diraz, we were there as we had a project to do for school when two bahrani boys around the age 20-22 parked their car right next to ours, trying to annoy us. As we reversed the car, they reversed their car in order to crash into us, when we got to the road, they drifted their car and blocked the road in front of us. We asked them to move but the two boys got out of their car, walking towards ours. we managed to swerve off the road before they could get to us” Liz reported

Feb14 criminal youth threat




Bahrain government have to protect expats and residents from these gangs!

Furthermore, BCHR, Nabeel Rajab and Alkhawaja are exploiting Bahrain Shiite children for rioting and killing cops in Bahrain which is according to The US code law:

Sec. 25. Use of minors in crimes of violence:

(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Crime of violence.--The term ``crime of violence'' has the meaning set forth in section 16.
(2) Minor.--The term ``minor'' means a person who has not reached 18 years of age.
(3) Uses.--The term ``uses'' means employs, hires, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces.
(b) Penalties.--Any person who is 18 years of age or older, who intentionally uses a minor to commit a crime of violence for which such person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, or to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for such an offense, shall--

(1) for the first conviction, be subject to twice the maximum term of imprisonment and twice the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense; and

(2) for each subsequent conviction, be subject to 3 times the maximum term of imprisonment and 3 times the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense.

To read more click here

Sixth: A home grown institution by a “Plastic surgery”! 

Abdulhadi Alkhawaja the former president of the BCHR, is jailed because of his ties with Iranian-backed terrorist groups and his incitement to violence against Bahrain’s government.

Liliane Khalil a journalist who reports on political, social and human rights events in the Middle East and North Africa wrote a report about BCHR and its connections with Iran and terrorism groups!

“Alkhawaja is a founding member of the Iran-based Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, is not Alkhawaja’s first run-in with Bahrain security. In the 1990s, whilst Alkhawaja was associated with the Islamic Front, the group carried out a series of bombings on civilian targets throughout Bahrain. At the same time the Islamic Front was conducting terrorism campaigns on Bahraini civilians, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was the president of Bahrain Human Rights Organisation – a subsidiary of the Islamist terrorism group, Islamic Front. During the 90s, Al-Khawaja and his brother, Salah Al-Khawaja (who is a leading member of Iranian-funded Islamist organisation, Islamic Action Society), went on record as being loyal supporters of the late Iranian Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini”

“Despite the BCHR referring to itself as an organisation “for the protection of human rights and advancement of society,” it has been described in an independent study by Katja Niethammer of the Institute for International and Security Affairs, Europe’s largest Think Tank, as “the most radical opposition group currently found in Bahrain”

“Dr Niethammer describes the BCHR as a group which searches for radical fringes of the Shi’ite movements within Bahrain. She says it is not possible to draw a difference between members of BCHR and Alwefaq National Islamic Society “since both have the same roots.” The most notable Islamist ideology behind al-Wefaq include calling for Islamic dress and veiling of women in Bahrain, along with segregated housing for South Asian nationals to be placed in separate neighbourhoods away from Bahraini families”

BICI report:

“Further factor in the internal politics of Bahrain was the Iranian revolution of 1979. The revolution inspired politically-active Islamic movements which sought to emulate it in a number of countries. The Islamic revolution in Iran contributed to a perceptible shift on the Bahraini political scene. The leftist, secular and nationalist groups that had spearheaded the opposition to the British presence and then led the calls for constitutional and political reform were overtaken by Islamist movements as the leading opposition force in Bahrain”

The first major manifestation of civil unrest in Bahrain following the Iranian revolution occurred on 16 December 1981 when the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, which was established in 1979 by the Shia cleric Abdulhadi Almadrasy, attempted to overthrow the regime by force”
The BCHR doesn’t represent me, expats, and majority of Bahrainis.

BICI report:

“According to the 2010 census, the total number of persons residing in Bahrain is 1,234,571. Of these, 568,399 are Bahraini citizens (46%) and 666,172 are expatriates (54%). Of the total population of Bahrain, 70% are Muslim, while the remaining 30% are Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish or followers of other faiths”

The Index for Censorship you honoured the wrong person and organization in this world. You honoured the pro-criminals in Bahrain.

The Award is for the Cowards: Nabeel Rajab, Alkhawaja, and BCHR, ..etc  


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