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
.JPG)
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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