Fundamental Missteps in Reform in Pakistan, Bahrain, and Syria

 Register Online Today for the 10^th Annual UMAA Convention:
The American Muslim Spring

 The Universal Muslim Association of America will soon be holding its 10^th annual convention from Friday May 25 – Monday May 28, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Distinguished scholars, academics, and motivational speakers from across the world will be in attendance.

View the flyer for the convention here and registration is available online now!

 Advocacy

 Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF; Reporters Without Borders) has regularly discussed the Bahraini government’s extreme media censorship and propagation of misinformation to the public. “Journalists have been physically attacked, jailed, prosecuted and dismissed. Websites have been blocked. Smear campaigns have targeted government critics.” With the government hosting the Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday April 22, it attempts to continue its façade of reform, stability, and peace. Click here to sign the petition that RSF has created to condemn the ongoing propaganda of the government of Bahrain.

 Pakistan

 Pakistan’s Worsening Hazara Crisis
Huffington Post, Malik Siraj Akbar
April 16, 2012

Following a dramatic rise in ethnic and sectarian violence in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi has criticized the provincial government for failing to halt continued bloodshed against the minority Shia community. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant group of Pakistan with ties to al Qaeda and the Taliban, has escalated its brutal assaults against the Shia community of Balochistan, particularly in the past month. Residents of the Balochistan province have peacefully protested these killings outside the Governnor’s office in Quetta, with the demand to dismantle radical terrorist groups. On April 15, the Balochistan government partook in a high-level meeting to plan to overcome attacks on the Shia minority. Most noticeably lacking from the meeting was the willingness “to officially act against underground Islamic terrorist groups in Quetta with the support of the Pakistani intelligence services.” Both the government of Pakistan and the international community have yet to address this worsening crisis with substantive solutions.

Gunmen kill seven Shiites in southwest Pakistan
AFP, Associated Press
April 14, 2012

 On Saturday April 14, seven Shia Muslims were shot dead by gunmen in two separate incidents of sectarian violence in the southwestern city of Quetta. Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province of Pakistan, was the site of the two drive-by shootings in which members of the Shia minority were targeted. Since 2004, hundreds of civilians have been killed amid sectarian violence caused by the rise of anti-government Baloch rebels who demand political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the government for oil, gas, and mineral resources in the region.

 Bahrain

 Amnesty report: Bahrain reforms are ‘flawed,’ ‘inadequate’
CNN, Ed Payne
April 17, 2012

In a report on Tuesday April 17, Amnesty International stated that human rights reforms in Bahrain have been inadequate and have failed to provide justice for victims of the government’s crackdown since February 2011. Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa deputy director, stated, “The authorities are trying to portray the country as being on the road to reform, but we continue to receive reports of torture and use of unnecessary and excessive force against protests. Their reforms have only scratched the surface.” The brutal mistreatment of protestors has included physical and psychological torture, with tactics such as beatings with metal pipes and batons, threats of rape and electrocution, and more. Amnesty’s report states that reform in Bahrain has lacked accountability and ignores the ongoing violations by the police.

Bahrain Grand Prix Splits the Kingdom
New York Times, Souad Mekhennet
April 13, 2012

The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, scheduled to take place this Sunday April 22, is being seen as an eager attempt by the government of Bahrain to showcase the island nation as tranquil and reformed. However, the deep turmoil of the Bahraini people continues to fester, especially outside the capital city of Manama. Protests have regularly took place since February 2011, with thousands taking to the streets on Friday April 13 to speak out against the upcoming Grand Prix.

Syria

 U.N. likely to send full slate of Syria monitors
LA Times
April 17, 2012

The United Nations Security Council is expected to deploy a full mission of 250 monitors to Syria, to oversee implementation of a peace plan brokered by the UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon mentioned that he was not sure if this would be a sufficient number of monitors for Syria due to the complexities of the current situation and the size of the nation. Ban Ki-Moon did state, however, that UN military action was not under consideration with regards to Syria, as the Syrian authorities are expected to meet security-related responsibilities. Unfortunately, since the cease-fire began on Thursday April 12, violence has continued to persist in parts of Syria, leading some political observers to declare the peace plan a failure thus far.

Civic Engagement in Response to Bloodshed in Pakistan, and more

 Register Online Today for the 10^th Annual UMAA Convention:
The American Muslim Spring

The Universal Muslim Association of America will soon be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 28, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Distinguished invited scholars and academics from across the world will be in attendance.

Details can be found here and registration is available online now!

I. Advocacy Update

 Letter to President Obama Calling for the Release of Prominent Political Prisoner

On Monday April 9, UMAA co-signed a letter to President Obama urging the US government to press for the immediate and unconditional release of Bahraini human rights defender and democracy activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja from prison. The letter was co-signed by fourteen other NGOs advocating for justice in Bahrain, including institutions such as Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Amnesty International, Human Rights First, and the Project on Middle East Democracy. Click here to view the full letter to President Obama.

Protests against Sectarian-Based Killings in Pakistan

In response to the growing unrest and widespread sectarian-based killings in Pakistan, there have been various peaceful demonstrations organized outside Pakistani embassies and consulates this Saturday April 14 in the United States, Canada, and England. The event details for Washington DC are as follows:

WASHINGTON DC
WHAT: Protest against Shi’a genocide in Pakistan
WHEN: Saturday April 14 at 11 am (EDT)
WHERE: Embassy of Pakistan: 3517 International Ct. NW, DC

For details on protests in Los Angeles, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, and London on Saturday April 14, please visit the facebook event page here.

 II. Pakistan

International media outlets have, for the most part, failed to publish articles thus far regarding the increasingly alarming violence and killings in Pakistan during the past few weeks. Therefore, two of the following articles covering the situation in Pakistan have been gathered from regional news sources.

Pakistani Shiites rally against sectarianism
AFP
April 13, 2012

Today, thousands of Shia Muslims have rallied across Pakistan to peacefully protest against the heightened sectarian violence throughout the nation in recent weeks, particularly in areas such as Gilgit, Quetta, and Karachi, among others. Outside the parliament building in Islamabad, it has been reported that approximately 2,500 individuals have staged a sit-in today to demand the government for greater protection, security, and justice for the Shia community. On April 3 alone, at least 14 individuals were killed and over 50 wounded in sectarian violence in the northern towns of Gilgit and Chilas.

Ethnic cleansing of Shia Muslims in PoK
Zee News
April 11, 2012

In Gilgit Baltistan, systematic ethnic cleansing of Shia Muslims has been taking place since the beginning of April, with unverified death tolls estimated from 40 to 400. “At the 13th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Abdul Hamid Khan of the Balwaristan National Front said, ‘Human rights abuses are widespread and common in Gilgit Baltistan for many decades, but the absence of local media and independent judiciary have helped Islamabad to hide its illicit practices.’”

Violence-hit Gilgit faces shortage of essentials
Dawn News, Farooq Ahmed Khan and Qasim A. Moini
April 10, 2012

With curfew in place by authorities of Gilgit since the sectarian attacks earlier in April, locals have faced an extreme shortage of essential commodities such as food, medicine, and petrol. While curfew has been briefly lifted every few days, individuals are still not permitted to enter or leave the city during those times. Observers of the situation have commented that with more time under curfew, Gilgit could face a serious humanitarian crisis.

III. Bahrain

 Click here to view a statement by the Press Secretary of the White House on Wednesday April 11, 2012 regarding the ongoing violence in Bahrain, a request to resolve Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s case, and implementation of policy recommendations laid out in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report.

Click here to view a recently launched, all-encompassing weekly update on Bahrain from the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED).

 IV. Syria

 #Syria by the Numbers
Human Rights First, Marc Jayson Climaco
April 9, 2012

This fact sheet from Human Rights First contains critical data pertaining to the bloodshed in Syria since last year, and has been updated to include statistics as of March 2012. Notable numbers include 9,000+ civilian deaths since the start of the uprisings last year, 1,179 civilian deaths since February 2012 alone, 16,466 Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey, and 230,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to ongoing violence.

 From the Arab Spring to the American Muslim Spring

 Register Online Today for the 10^th Annual UMAA Convention:
The American Muslim Spring

The Universal Muslim Association of America will soon be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 27, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Distinguished invited scholars and academics from across the world will be in attendance.

Details can be found here and registration is available online now!

Bahrain

Bahraini villagers fear effects of tear gas
Al Jazeera, Gregg Carlstrom
April 2, 2012

Almost every night, various villages and homes in Bahrain are being covered with tear gas by government security forces, collectively punishing a nation that has peacefully spoken out against the ruling family. Fears are now rising of cancer and other long-term health effects from extended and excessive exposure to tear gas, as medical issues observed include blindness in infants due to damage of the optic nerve, pulmonary edema, adult-onset asthma, and at least 25 deaths from tear gas inhalation alone. This death toll does not factor in those who have been struck and killed with tear gas canisters.

Lawyers for Bahraini activist on hunger strike, 20 opposition figures appeal life sentences
Washington Post, Associated Press
April 2, 2012

On Monday April 2, lawyers for Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and twenty other opposition figures appealed their anti-state convictions in Bahrain’s Court of Cassation. Eight of these prominent figures, including Al Khawaja, are have been sentenced to life imprisonment for their peaceful involvement in protesting against the Bahraini regime in last year’s uprisings. The accused have been charged with attempting to overthrow the ruling dynasty. The attorneys requested a five-judge panel to free the prisoners on bail, but their request was denied. Another hearing for this case has been scheduled for April 23, 2012.

An online petition to Secretary of State Clinton regarding human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is being circulated through Citizens for Global Solutions. Be sure to take a minute to sign onto the letter demanding the release of Al Khawaja and all other political prisoners wrongfully imprisoned in Bahrain.

Pakistan

At least 14 killed in Pakistan sectarian violence
AFP
April 3, 2012

At least fourteen killed and over fifty wounded in violence that erupted in northern Pakistan on Tuesday April 3. The killings occurred in two separate incidents within the northern cities of Gilgit and and Chilas. Following the incident, the Pakistani government deployed troops to the region and imposed a curfew to control the situation. It has been reported that gunmen opened fire on a group of Sunni Muslims in Gilgit, while a mob killed a group of Shiite Muslims in Chilas. Human rights groups have criticized the government of Pakistan for not having effectively cracked down upon such sectarian violence that has been observed for years.

Syria

Syria Agrees to Troop Withdrawal, Annan Says
New York Times, Neil MacFarquhar and Rick Gladstone
April 2, 2012

The Syrian government has agreed to withdraw security forces from densely populated areas by April 10, with the intention to have a cease-fire two days later. Kofi Annan, the joint special envoy of the UN and the Arab League, asked the UN Security Council to publicly endorse the April 10 deadline and therefore pressure the Syrian government to follow through. Violence and unrest in Syria erupted in March 2011 and has left at least 9,000 dead and thousands wounded since then. This withdrawal is just one component of Annan’s six-point plan, which includes aspects such as talks with the opposition to reform the political process, requests for humanitarian aid, and media access.

 Online Convention Registration, Syria, Pakistan, and more!

 I. UMAA Updates

 Register Online Today for the 10^th Annual UMAA Convention

The Universal Muslim Association of America will soon be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 27, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Distinguished invited speakers include scholars and academics such as Sayed Haider Bahar al-Uloom, Sayed Ammar Nakshawani, Sister Najjah Bazzy, and many more.

Details can be found here and registration is available online now!

 Advocacy

On Tuesday March 27, UMAA’s advocacy division collaborated with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) in meeting with Brian Dooley (Director of the Human Rights Defenders Program at Human Rights First) and Dr. Nada Dhaif (Bahraini doctor wrongfully arrested, tortured, and tried in court). The meeting focused on the upcoming verdicts for Bahraini medical professionals who have undergone retrials for their involvement during last year’s uprisings. Doctors such as Dr. Dhaif were arrested last year after treating wounded protesters in public hospitals, with accusations such as occupying a government building during protests, storing weapons, and keeping individuals as prisoners. Dr. Dhaif discussed her concern that while some doctors might be let go, others will still be wrongfully sentenced to jail once more.

II. News Roundup

 Bahrain

Rights group calls on Bahrain to release activist on hunger strike
CNN, Mohammed Jamjoom
March 30, 2012

 Today, Amnesty International called upon the government of Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release prominent Bahraini human rights advocate Abdulhadi al Khawaja, who is at risk of dying after over 50 days of being on a hunger strike. Al Khawaja was arrested in April 2011 for his role in widespread peaceful pro-democratic demonstrations that began to take place in Bahrain last year. After being charged with plotting to overthrow the government, Khawaja and multiple other leading activists were sentenced to life in prison. The government of Bahrain has previously made promises to release such political prisoners, but the case of al Khawaja demonstrates otherwise.

 Pakistan

Over 100,000 ‘have fled northwest Pakistan’: UN
AFP
March 30, 2012

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated today that over 100,000 people, consisting of mostly women and children, have fled northwest Pakistan amid fighting between government troops and Taliban or al-Qaeda linked militants since January 20. The UNHCR stated that as a result of a recent increase in the intensity of combat, approximately 2,000 families have been arriving daily at the Jalozai camp near Peshawar since March 17.

 Syria

Syria clashes, protests complicate peace mission
Associated Press, Zeina Karam
March 30, 2012

Thousands of protesters took part in demonstrations and clashes across Syria today, in the midst of a peace mission by UN envoy Kofi Annan to broker peace in the nation after a yearlong crisis. The UN estimates that over 9,000 people have been killed in the fighting since last year. President Bashar Assad accepted a peace plan earlier this week brokered by Kofi Annan to halt the violence, but today’s clashes demonstrate that the unrest is ongoing amongst the Syrian people.

“Tortured Justice”

I. UMAA Updates
 
Advocacy

On March 20, 21, and 22, UMAA’s advocacy division collaborated with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain and the Bahrain Coordinating Committee in meeting with the offices of Congressmen Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Howard Berman (D-CA).

Primary topics of discussion included the continued use of torture and state-sponsored brutalities in Bahrain and the unconditional and immediate release of wrongfully convicted political prisoners in order to lay the foundation for reconciliation in Bahrain. New topics of discussion included looking into the establishment of a United Nations Rapporteur that would constantly monitor human rights in Bahrain without disruption, as well as pushing for indictment of human rights violators in the Bahraini government by the International Criminal Court.

10^th Annual Convention

The Universal Muslim Association of America will be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 27, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Details can be found here.

II. Bahrain

Bahrain retries convicted protest doctors
RT
March 22, 2012

The government of Bahrain has moved forward in the retrials of 20 medical professionals charged with inciting to overthrow the government after treating wounded pro-democratic demonstrators in last year’s Bahraini uprisings. Promises were previously made to spare 15 of those tried in military tribunal, but the country’s Justice Minister claimed on Tuesday that all of the accused will stand for retrial in civilian court. The medics were among at least 400 individuals who were tried for partaking in peaceful demonstrations last year in Bahrain. The unrest continues in Bahrain, as a report from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights states that police brutalities were the cause for at least six deaths of Bahraini demonstrators in January and seven in February.

Tortured Justice
Foreign Policy, Brian Dooley
March 22, 2012

In a visit to Bahrain, Brian Dooley of Human Rights First witnessed Bahraini youth from the villages recounting their experiences of being severely and repeatedly beaten by government forces for their involvement in demonstrating against the regime. While the government has consistently claimed to have implemented human rights reform, members of local communities testify that the brutalities, torture, and resulting deaths continue to take place. Riot police have barged into peaceful assemblies to brutalize and disperse using tear gas, rifle butts, and the like. Tear gas canisters shot at close range have been utilized to kill demonstrators. On the ground, human rights reform clearly has yet to take place.

Damage to ancient Bahrain mosque site shows challenges to ease unrest
Washington Post, Associated Press
March 21, 2012

On March 13, the Sasa’a bin Sawhan mosque in Bahrain was attacked and vandalized, which demonstrated the continued lack of government protection of religious institutions since last year’s crackdown. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report from November 2011 stated that at least 53 places of worship, mainly of Shiites, were demolished between February 14 and April 15, 2011 alone. The BICI recommended that such places of worship must be rebuilt and protected, but it remains unclear whether any progress has been made in this regard.

 Bahrain lauds progress as critics decry delay
Al Jazeera, Gregg Carlstrom
March 20, 2012

Following the release of the BICI report in November 2011, King Hamad of Bahrain appointed a National Commission to measure the progress made in implementing the BICI’s recommendations. This past week, the Commission delivered its report, which was overwhelmingly positive and praised the government’s work as “unprecedented.” Critics and those aware of the ongoing unrest in Bahrain, however, state that the report lacks legitimacy and is clearly biased. In addition, the formation and work of the National Committee is being seen as a means of delaying the substantive reform that has been demanded.  Members of the largest opposition political society in Bahrain, Al Wefaq, claim that less than 10% of the BICI’s recommendations have been implemented. At the most basic level, not a single high-ranking government official responsible for propagating use of torture against Bahraini citizens has been charged or tried for their crimes against humanity.

 UN rights office concerned at deaths of Bahrain protesters from tear gas
Washington Post, Associated Press
March 20, 2012

A spokesperson for the UN High Commission for Human Rights recently expressed concerns about the disproportionate use of force by Bahraini security forces and the growing number of deaths caused by tear gas shot from close range at peaceful protestors. Human rights groups report that at least 30 individuals have died from tear gas exposure alone since February 2011.

 “Bahrain Opposition Bloc: Free Political Prisoners”

 UMAA Update

March 19, 2012
Today, over 110 civil rights, faith, community and civic groups sent a joint letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding an immediate investigation of the NYPD’s surveillance practices for violations of the constitutional rights of American Muslims. This request comes after New York Mayor Bloomberg and New York Attorney General Schneiderman’s refusal to look into the matter, several months after 34 members of Congress asked Holder for an investigation, and after scores of organizations privately and publicly asked the Civil Rights Division to investigate the NYPD. Source

UMAA was one of over 110 signatories in the aforementioned letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder regarding investigation into the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Click here to view the letter in its entirety.

Bahrain

Bahrain opposition bloc: Free political prisoners before possible talks
Washington Post, Associated Press
March 19, 2012

Opposition groups seeking democratic reform in Bahrain are demanding the release of all wrongfully sentenced political prisoners before moving forward with talks to possibly end the 13-month uprising. Since February 2011, Bahrainis have consistently taken to the streets to peacefully protest the lack of democratic representation in Parliament and the decades-long systematic socioeconomic and political discrimination in Bahrain. Along with the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners charged with anti-state offenses, opposition groups are calling for the reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed workers before resuming talks.

Bahrain Opposition Marks Raid Anniversary
ABC News, Associated Press
March 16, 2012

On Friday March 16, thousands of opposition supporters marked the one-year anniversary of the military raid in Pearl Square by rallying throughout Bahrain. Protestors waved Bahraini flags as they demanded the release of political prisoners to begin reconciliation. After its demolition in the wake of the uprisings last year, Pearl Square has been heavily guarded but maintains its symbolic value for members of the opposition.

‘Enemies of the internet’ in Reporters Without Borders study
BBC
March 13, 2012

Bahrain has been added to Reporters Without Borders’ annual list of “enemies of the internet.” The gulf nation joins 10 other countries that selectively restrict access to the internet, filter content, and imprison bloggers. Bahrain was added to this list after the death of Zakariya Rashid Hassan, who moderated and wrote for a local news website about the ongoing unrest in his hometown, al-Dair, following the government’s crackdown on pro-democratic protesters in February 2011. Hassan was arrested on April 9, 2011 and died on April 15, 2011 while in government custody.

Protests, Investigator Pressure Bahrain
Wall Street Journal, Alex Delmar-Morgan
March 11, 2012

Cherif Bassiouni, head of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), has called for the investigation of senior government officials who have been involved in the deaths and torture of opposition supporters since last year. Bassiouni told the Wall Street Journal that the Bahraini regime has yet to act on the BICI’s recommendation from November 2011 to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice.

Protesters Renew Calls for Reforms in Bahrain
New York Times
March 9, 2012

At least tens of thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets on Friday March 9, 2012 to collectively demand democratic reform that is yet to be seen in Bahrain. The demonstration was reported to have been the largest protest against the government in a year of ongoing unrest. Protesters walked along a major highway in Manama towards Pearl Roundabout when riot police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Dozens of peaceful protestors have been killed since last year due to the government’s use of tear gas alone.

“No Justice in Bahrain”

 UMAA Updates
10^th Annual Convention

The Universal Muslim Association of America will be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 27, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Details can be found here and registration forms will be posted online shortly.

Advocacy

On Thursday March 8 and Friday March 9, 2012, UMAA’s advocacy division collaborated with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain and the Bahrain Coordinating Committee as it met in the offices of 6 Republican Congressional members from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Offices met with included Congressmen Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY), Mike Pence (R-IN), Robert Turner (R-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Donald Manzullo (R-IL).

Primary topics of discussion included the continued use of torture and tear gas on the ground in Bahrain and the unconditional and immediate release of political prisoners such as Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. Al Khawaja is a known human rights defender who has been sentenced to life in prison for his peaceful involvement in the pro-democratic movement since last year. UMAA continues to advocate for justice in Bahrain, the roots which lie in the release of wrongfully detained and sentenced political prisoners. A joint letter from members of Congress, particularly from members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is being pursued in this regard.

Bahrain

Saudi widens Arab Spring backlash with Bahrain ‘union’ plans
Washington Post
March 5, 2012

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa have met to discuss “union” plans, which are expected to be outlined in May 2012. Prospective areas of greater cooperation between the two nations include intelligence and defense. During the Bahraini crackdown last year, Saudi Arabia conducted a military intervention to help crush the voices of dissent, so movement towards a stronger military relationship is not new. The head of Bahrain’s largest opposition group, Sheik Ali Salman of Al Wefaq, states, “We welcome the idea of closer Gulf union if the people of nations approve it, but if the purpose is just to turn Bahrain into an emirate of Saudi Arabia, then it will not be accepted and it will be disastrous.”

Joint Letter to King of Bahrain Regarding Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja
Human Rights Watch
March 5, 2012

A total of 45 human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, recently sent a letter to the King of Bahrain demanding the immediate and unconditional release of well-known Bahraini human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. Al Khawaja has been on a continuous hunger strike since February 8, 2012 after having been sentenced to life in prison last year for his outspoken role in peaceful demonstrations. Al Khawaja and a total of 21 activists have been sentenced in violation of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly and association.

Bahrain promises visas to Amnesty International envoys, but not during turbulent weekends
Washington Post
March 3, 2012

Bahrain has promised to grant Amnesty International additional visas to conduct a fact-finding mission, but will not allow its members to stay on the weekends when clashes escalate. Prior to this move, visas granted to human rights observers by the government of Bahrain were restricted to a maximum of five days.

Jaleela Al-Salman: Democratizing Bahrain
Human Rights First, Marc Jayson Climaco
March 1, 2012

Jaleela Al Salman, Vice President of the Bahrain Teacher’s Association, was detained for over five months for her peaceful participation in Bahrain’s pro-democratic movement that began last year. While in detention, Al Salman was tortured and forced to sign a false confession that served as evidence during her criminal proceedings. Although she has been released from prison, the criminal charges against Al Salman remain. Follow the link above to hear Jaleela speak about her experience as a survivor of torture and brutal detention in Bahrain.

 Bahrain: Restricting Visas and Human Rights Observers

 10^th Annual Convention

 The Universal Muslim Association of America will be holding its 10^th annual convention from May 25 – 27, 2012 in Reston, Virginia. Details can be found here and registration forms will be posted online shortly.

 Bahrain

Bahrain delays UN investigator visit
Al Jazeera
March 2, 2012

The government of Bahrain has placed restrictions on human rights groups that seek to monitor its proposed policy reform amid an ongoing crackdown against pro-democratic demonstrators. UN investigator Juan Mendez, who was scheduled to investigate allegations of torture in Bahrain from March 8 to 17, was formally requested by the government to delay his visit until July. Proposed areas of reform include payment of compensation to torture victims and national reconciliation, as was recommended in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report in November 2011. However, the government of Bahrain has failed to acknowledge several other areas of reform recommended by the BICI. Unrest continues in the nation, with clashes between the opposition and riot police still occurring daily.

Observers Urge Bahrain to Lift Visa Restrictions
Human Rights First, Brenda Bowser-Soder
March 2, 2012

Human Rights First, along with other human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, urges the government of Bahrain to lift visa restrictions for those who wish to monitor the ongoing unrest in Bahrain. Observer visas have been restricted to a maximum of five days, which the groups have objected to. In a letter to the Bahraini Minister of Human Rights and Social Development, the groups write, “We consider the limit imposed on the duration of our stay in Bahrain to contradict the oral commitments you and other officials made in meetings with our representatives, and to the United Nations, regarding access for international human rights organizations. In addition, informing us of these constraints so close to our planned departure dates calls further into question the King’s commitment to interact with us on a constructive basis.”

Bahrain should shelve trials linked to protests: rights group
Reuters, Andrew Hammond
February 28, 2012

On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch called upon Bahrain to drop court cases against medical professionals and leaders of last year’s protest movement due to unfair and politically motivated trials, and claimed that western nations should suspend military sales to Bahrain until substantial reform is made. Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW, stated, “Grossly unfair military and civilian trials have been a core element in Bahrain’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The government should remedy the hundreds of unfair convictions of the past year by dropping the cases against everyone convicted on politically motivated charges and by adopting effective measures to end torture in detention.”

Bahrain receives military equipment from UK despite violent crackdown
The Guardian, Richard Norton-Taylor
February 14, 2012

Despite ongoing political unrest, Britain has continued to sell arms to Bahrain as the gulf nation has brutally assaulted members of its opposition. In the months following February 2011, official figures estimate that military equipment valued at over £1 million was sold to Bahrain. The equipment included items such as licenses for gun silencers, weapons sights, rifles, artillery, components for military training aircraft, naval guns, and components for detecting and jamming improvised explosive devices. In recent months, Bahraini security forces have consistently used tear gas canisters to disperse demonstrators, but numerous deaths have been caused in the process of such techniques and unrest in the island nation has thus sustained.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) cosponsored House Joint Resolution 80 to limit a proposed $53 million arms sale to Bahrain on January 10, 2012. This brings the total number of cosponsors for H.J. Res 80 to 20.

UMAA Update

On Wednesday January 18, UMAA met in the office of Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD, House Democratic Whip) regarding ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain. The meeting was led by Dr. Parvez Shah, Secretary-General of UMAA.

Primary topics of the meeting included limiting the proposed $53 million arms sale, pressuring the State Department to take a more vocal stance on violations by the Government of Bahrain (GoB), and concerns that the GoB has violated Section 3 of the Arms Export Control Act by using US-sold arms against its own citizens. UMAA will continue to follow up with Congressman Hoyer’s office to further the movement for reform and reconciliation of disenfranchised Bahrainis.

Bahrain

Bahrain police disperse hundreds of protesters converging in capital’s downtown despite ban
The Washington Post, Associated Press
January 18, 2012

Demonstrations in opposition to the government of Bahrain continue on a weekly, if not daily, basis throughout the island nation. On Wednesday January 18, Bahraini riot police chased out demonstrators in Manama and used stun grenades on some as a dispersion tactic. Witnesses say that hundreds of protesters were scattered throughout the city on Wednesday, despite having been denied permission by authorities to hold protests in Manama.

Unrest-hit Bahrain pins hopes on air show
Reuters, Praveen Menon
January 18, 2012

Authorities in Bahrain continue in their attempt to project stability and renew their international reputation after almost a year of violent unrest, with emphasis on the second Bahrain Air Show that began this week. Michael Stephens, researcher at the Qatar-based Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, states, “The on-going political problems in Bahrain mean that the show is unlikely to be as successful as the Bahrainis would like it to be.” One pro-democratic Bahraini activist adds, “Bahrain wants to mobilize the tourism sector. It wants to say to the world that things are fine, but everybody knows that things are not fine.”

Bahrain Opposition Says King’s Measures Fall Short
The New York Times, Nada Bakri
January 16, 2012

On Sunday January 15, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa alleged constitutional amendments that he claimed would give the elected Parliament greater scrutiny over the government, but his measures have fallen short for the opposition once again. With these amendments, Parliament will still not have the power to question or dismiss the unelected prime minister of over forty years, Prince Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa. One of the main demands of the opposition is to remove Prince Khalifa, the uncle of King Hamad and the world’s longest serving unelected prime minister, from power and democratically elect a prime minister. The opposition states that the King’s remarks therefore fail to address a deeper political imbalance that has disenfranchised a majority of Bahrainis.

On Tuesday January 10, UMAA met in the office of Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) regarding ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain. This was followed by meetings in the offices of Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) on Wednesday January 11.

In each of these meetings, cosponsorship of Senate Joint Resolution 28 was stressed to limit a proposed $53 million arms sale. In addition, the offices were urged to place pressure on the State Department to take a stronger, more vocal stance on violations by the government of Bahrain. Immediate release of all political prisoners, reinstatement of thousands of wrongfully dismissed workers, rebuilding of destroyed mosques, and freedom of the press and of peaceful assembly were a few of the points emphasized to create a basis for reform and reconciliation of disenfranchised Bahrainis.

Participants in Tuesday’s meeting included Dr. Parvez Shah, Secretary-General of UMAA; Husain Abdulla, Director of Americans for Human Rights and Democracy in Bahrain; and Nada Alwadi, an independent Bahraini journalist. Wednesday’s meetings were led by Husain Abdulla, Nada Alwadi, and Fatima Bunafoor, a Bahraini student.

Bahrain

Business as usual in bloody Bahrain
The Guardian, Ala’a Shehabi and Kristian Ulrichsen
January 11, 2012

The government of Britain has shown to turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Bahrain, as seen by a royal reception of the king of Bahrain this past December and the failure to denounce sustained human rights abuses in Bahrain since last February. Although the UK has leverage over the Arab nation, by providing the Al-Khalifa family with legitimacy as rulers since an 1820 treaty, it chooses to instead cash in on the conflict by selling the Bahraini government intelligence technology, defense materials, and legal and public relations services. Bahrainis see the British government as being complicit to the regime and its abuses, when it has the ability and leverage to demand democratic reform and an end to systemic discrimination and brutalities.

Bahrain protests draw thousands to UN office in Manama
BBC, Associated Press
January 10, 2012

On Tuesday January 10, 2012, several thousand Bahrainis held a protest in the capital of Bahrain outside the offices of the United Nations, demanding for the removal of the unelected Prime Minister of over 40 years and urging the UN to intervene to protect Bahraini civilians. The demonstration was peaceful and the police restrained from using tear gas and stun grenades against unarmed and nonaggressive protesters for once. The major demonstration was organized by several opposition parties, including al-Wefaq and the secular Waad party.

Bahrain denies entry to US human rights activist ahead of protest-related trial of medics
The Washington Post, Associated Press
January 8, 2012

Richard Sollom, deputy president of the US-based Physicians for Human Rights “who intended to observe a protest-related trial in Bahrain,” was denied entry into Bahrain on Sunday January 8. Sollom was given no reason for the denied entry, but he charged that the government of Bahrain does not want international observers present at the trials of medical professionals, which have been known to disregard Bahraini and international law. Sollom stated, “I am quite stunned. This was the first time a member of an international rights organization came to Bahrain after authorities promised to respect human rights and told us we can come and see for ourselves. We can see now that not much has changed.”

Bahrain Rights Activist Says He Was Beaten During Attack on Protest
The New York Times, Robert Mackey
January 6, 2012

Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was beaten by Bahraini officials and hospitalized on Friday January 6 after security forces attacked a protest in the capital, Manama. While he was in the hospital, Rajab’s family and house were attacked by teargas, which has become a common weapon of the Bahraini forces to deter its own people from dissent. Videos of the assault on protesters can be seen in this post.