Bahrain: Revolution to be reinvigorated next week – Bahrain Freedom Movement

As the Revolutions’ first anniversary approaches the feelings are running high on both sides, the people of Bahrain and the Al Khalifa family which is propped up by the Saudi occupation.

The 14th February Alliance who had spearheaded the revolution are preparing the scene for a major show of popular rage on Tuesday, organising daily protests, rallies, regional meetings and congregations. Furthermore, the Alliance has introduced the doctrine of “Sacred Defence” especially after the countless ruthless attacks on women and children. The extent of mobilisation has reached a level that sent shock waves in the Al Khalifa and Al Saud regimes. The Americans who have given whole-hearted support to the most reactionary and oppressive dictatorships have also become uneasy as events started to unfold just days before the 14th February. Michael Posner, the US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights rushed to Bahrain to convey the support of the Obama administration. He was in a mood to condemn the atrocities of the regime, despite the calls on Washington to do so ever by the American media.On 7th February, the Washington Post said: “The regime has yet to offer meaningful power-sharing with the Shiite opposition, much less democracy. A number of opposition leaders remain imprisoned. And near-daily clashes between security forces and protesters have been growing worse, even as the Feb. 14 anniversary of the popular uprising approaches.” It further added: “The transfer of any military aid now sends the wrong message, both to the Khalifa regime and to the region. U.S. criticism of Russia for continuing to arm the Assad regime will sound more credible when American military aid to Arab allies engaged in repression comes to a complete and unambiguous halt.” On another level, Human Rights Watch issued a statement condemning the resumption of arms sale to the Al Khalifa regime. On 8th February, its statement said: “The Obama administration’s decision to move forward on a $1 million arms sale to Bahrain sends the wrong signal to a country that is engaged in serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said.” It further added: “Bahrain has made many promises to cease abuses and hold officials accountable, but it hasn’t delivered,” said Maria McFarland, deputy Washington director at Human Rights Watch. “Protesters remain jailed on criminal charges for peacefully speaking out and there has been little accountability for torture and killings – crimes in which the Bahrain Defense Force is implicated.”Meanwhile, the killings of Bahrainis by the Al Khalifa has continued. On 7th February Sheikh Saeed Sheikh Isa, 63, was martyred as a result of excessive use of chemical and tear gases. Two months ago he was exposed to those gases at his home in Al Qadam Town. Despite attempts to cleanse his lungs and stomach, the poisoning has proven to be too much to remove. His funeral yesterday at his town of Qadam was attacked by the Al Khalifa mercenaries causing more injuries and suffering. Another martyr passed away on Monday 6th February. Ali Isa Al Hayki, 48, from Samaheej Town was martyred as a result of chemical gases he had inhaled earlier. He had been exposed to those gases twelve days earlier and was transferred to hospital last week. At the end of his mourning period, the congregation was attacked by the  Al Khalifa security forces using the same lethal weapons supplied by US, UK and Brazil. The response of the participants was to raise the slogans: Down with Hamad, People want regime change.The New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists has protested the decision by the regime to deny foreign journalists access to the country to report on the events of the anniversary next week. In a state released yesterday. It said: “Bahrain has rejected at least six journalists’ applications for entry visas ahead of the anniversary of antigovernment protests that swept the country in February 2011, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to allow journalists into the country to carry out their work freely.” It added: “Among the journalists who were denied visas are: The New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof and Adam B. Ellick; Kristen Chick of the Christian Science Monitor; the BBC’s Cara Swift; Alex Delmar-Morgan of The Wall Street Journal; and Gregg Carlstrom from Al-Jazeera.”. The statement ended saying: “Bahraini authorities act as if they have something to hide by engaging in this crude form of censorship,” said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator. “The government should immediately reverse its decision and allow international news media to observe and report on the anniversary.”Bahrain Freedom Movement

10th February 2012