In a Travesty of Justice Nabeel Rajab is Sentenced to 3 Years

Nabeel Rajab, a man I respect and admire very much, who is a symbol and hero to many Bahrainis was dealt an unexpectedly large sentence today – 3 years in prison- for attending and instigating illegal gatherings. Rajab, who is already serving a three-month sentence for posting anti-government comments on Twitter, was in court for the verdict. He is president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

Bahrain has experienced near daily protests since February 2011 following an uprising by the kingdom’s Shiite majority seeking greater political rights from the Western-backed Sunni monarchy. At least 50 people have died in the unrest and hundreds have been detained, including prominent rights activists and Shiite opposition leaders.

Rajab’s arrest will certainly motivate even more “illegal” gatherings. Hopefully, the excessive sentence of such a prominent human rights advocate will give western politicians the proof they need that “…Bahrain’s rulers are far more comfortable with harsh repression than with the reforms King Hamad keeps promising,” as Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division said.

I can almost hear the enraged chant of “Down, Down Hamad” now.

Flowers for Bahrain

February 14th marks the one year anniversary of the start of the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain.  As the date draws closer, the government of Bahrain has been locking out foreign journalists and human rights groups, as well as increasing the force used on protesters.  Sadly, President Obama has chosen this time to move forward with the sale of at least $1 million worth of arms – what is likely the first of 53 such sales, that make use of a loophole that allows him to not disclose what exactly is being sold.  Human Rights Watch has more details on both the sale and the situation in Bahrain.

You would expect the people of Bahrain to be discouraged after protesting peacefully for a year, and seemingly getting nowhere.  But as the anniversary of Pearl Roundabout draws closer, Bahraini’s are more determined than ever.  Facing certain imprisonment, beatings, torture, and possibly death, they take to the streets every night to demand democracy and freedom from their oppressive rulers.  As much of the world prepares to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Bahraini’s are getting ready for a protest march of amazing proportions.  As @AngryArabiya said:  This Feb14, in #Bahrain FREEDOM is our valentine, and we will sacrifice everything for it, even our lives.

To honor the struggle and sacrifice of the people of Bahrain, International Freedom of Expression Exchange has created Flowers for Bahrain.  They have created a virtual peace flower that incorporates the flag of Bahrain, and are asking people to post it on their websites, Facebook, and Twitter to let the people of Bahrain know that the world is hearing them, and that it stands with them in their fight for freedom.  This Valentine’s Day, as everyone is busy sending and receiving flowers, chocolates, and all kinds of goodies, the people of Bahrain are going to be demanding their rights.  Take a moment to post a flower as a small gesture of solidarity for the courageous and determined people of Bahrain.

Syria, Bahrain, and Shame

Yesterday, the UN held a meeting to vote on what the international community should do on behalf of the Syrian people.  A couple of days ago, the Syrian government shelled the homes of innocent people, killing and injuring hundreds.  Shocked by the boldness of a dictator to so openly murder his people, the world gathered to decide what it should do in reaction.  While intervention seemed the only option to most present at the vote, China and Russia apparently disagreed. They vetoed any kind of military intervention, essentially giving the Syrian government a green light to continue its killing spree of pro-democracy activists.  This week Secretary of State Clinton vowed to do more to protect the rights of protesters in that country, going so far as to say,

“Every member of the [UN] Council has to make a decision: Whose side are you on? Are you on the side of the Syrian people? Are you on the side of the Arab League? Are you on the side of the people of the Middle East and North Africa who have during this past year spoken out courageously and often for their rights? Or are you on the side of a brutal, dictatorial regime?  It is absolutely imperative that we all be on the right side of history.”

Also this week, President Obama ironically okay’d a sale of $53 million worth of arms to the government of Bahrain in a quiet deal where he utilized a sort of loophole where if the deal is made in “packages” of a million dollars or less, he is not required to disclose what exactly is being sold.  For those of you late to the dance, this is terrible news.  The government of Bahrain, made up of a ruling family who are members of the Sunni religious minority, has been systematically imprisoning, torturing, and murdering anyone who is pro-democracy for nearly a year now.  Children as young as five have been imprisoned, infants and the old suffocated to death from teargas manufactured in America, peaceful protesters have been hunted like animals and shot with bird-shot, and, any doctor who treats an injured protester can be arrested as an enemy of the state.

This arms sale was supposed to be dependent on the government of Bahrain showing some sort of commitment to its Shia majority.  Instead, they’ve been preventing human rights activists and foreign journalists from entering the country at all.  Nonetheless, America decides to just go ahead and sell them more weapons with which they can continue to oppress their people and stifle democracy.

Bahrain is a tiny, oil-rich island nation at which the US’s 5th Naval Fleet is moored.  They are close allies to America, and because of that people of Bahrain had hoped for US intervention when this all started nearly a year ago, on 14 February 2011.  For anyone looking to get up to speed on the revolution the world forgot watch Al Jazeera’s documentary “Shouting in the Dark“, or read it from the point of view of a protester who was there at the beginning, at the beautiful Pearl Roundabout – which has long since been demolished to discourage any further protesting.

My question is:  Why Syria and not Bahrain?  Why Libya and not Bahrain?  Don’t people everywhere deserve equal rights and equal treatment? Isn’t that what America is all about?  How many people have to be murdered by the Al Khalifa regime before the world takes notice?  Do we really have to wait until they’re killing hundreds at a time?  Aren’t “human rights” basic rights afforded to all humans?  It is deeply upsetting to me that our Nobel Peace Prize President – who I typically have great respect for – feels like this arms deal is at all acceptable.  Even if it’s $53 million worth of wrenches, anything that is not complete opposition to the regime in Bahrain and what they are doing to peaceful, democracy-hungry protesters flies directly in the face of everything America says it stands for.  It should not matter how inconvenient it may be politically or strategically, if America is willing to speak and act on behalf of one oppressed people we should be willing to do it for all of them.

I am at a loss.  I’m unsure of what to do or how to continue.  My shame at this moment, as an American, is great.  Earlier this week, 18 bold congress people wrote a letter to Sec. State Clinton, opposing the weapons deal with Bahrain.  I’m proud of those 18 people, and all the other people in America who are writing letters and pleading with our president not to be a party to the violence being done in Bahrain.  My prayer is that if I can educate a few people, who might hopefully educate a few more, and some of those people write letters and make noise, then maybe there is a chance of stopping this deal before it gets any further.  I am not hopeful, but maybe I will be surprised.

Nicholas Kristof‘s Sunday column in the New York Times sang the praises of online petitions and internet advocacy, and he reinforced the sentiment that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference by sharing the personal story of his father who was interred at a Yugoslav labor camp in 1948-49.  Apparently, an inquiry from a Swiss diplomat was enough to keep the authorities from executing him.  I believe that speaking up for the voiceless, no matter how desperate a situation may seem, is never a waste of time.  I have searched for an online petition, or even the best people to voice my concern to over America’s blatant hypocrisy, but I haven’t found anything satisfactory.  So, please, if you know something I don’t, post it on here in a comment or email me: forthosewhocantfight@gmail.com.

I believe that history can be changed by enough people shouting loud enough, they’re shouting in Bahrain and we need to echo their calls here, and around the world.

Beautiful Pearl Roundabout, in the heart of the capital city of Manama, during the early days of the protests.

Just like that, they try and destroy the dreams of the people.

Elie Wiesel said, ““We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

It’s time to speak up.

Act Now: Stop Torture in Bahrain

Finally, the sinister monarchy that has been systematically murdering it’s people screwed up. Yesterday in Bahrain, two prominent human rights activists were badly beaten while leading a peaceful pro-democracy protest. Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, had to be hospitalized for the beatings he sustained.  The other man, Seyyed Yousif al-Muhafda,  sustained minor injuries as the result of being hit with a sound bomb. S. Yousif also works at the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

These abuses finally got the attention of the international community. The United States is calling for a probe into the attacks, which is better than nothing, and the actions of the riot police and Ministry of Interiors has been soundly condemned.  It is the perfect opportunity to bring the issue of weapons sales to Bahrain to the forefront.   Inform your representatives of this most recent attack.  If this is how the government of Bahrain treats prominent citizens and human rights activists, there is no end to what they’ll do to “average” people.  Now, with the world’s attention on the the Al Khalifa regime, America cannot be seen to sell weapons to Bahrain – it would be taken as clear support for these actions and all past atrocities.

It is also an ideal time to demand the release of political prisoners.  Here is a petition for the release of female prisoners, who are enduring unspeakable tortures, including sexual assault. This is a petition that calls for the release of all prisoners and prosecution of the men who have tortured them. Lastly, a couple of days ago Hassan Oun was taken prisoner and has been threatened to be raped to death.  The prosecution has said that Hassan will be held for 45 days.  During that time, anything can happen.  Sign the petition to get Hassan released before the worst happens.

For a play-by-play of yesterdays events in Bahrain, The Lede blog on the NYT website has compiled video and Tweets from people who were present at the protest when Nabeel and Yousif, as well as @AngryArabiya, were attacked.