Abusing Human Rights in Bahrain

We were all born with rights and freedom which we are entitled to; this is the basic definition for Human Rights. The concept falls under basic privileges and entitlements endowed to every human being simply for being one, which is why Human rights was conceived as a universal protector of the rights of man, if not by justified moral norms or natural rights, then by legal rights on a national or international level. Bahrain has witnessed a new kind of exploitation to Human Rights, one that should be uncovered to point out the many violations the protestors of my beloved country have breached. Amongst the universally known human right infringement by the violent protestors in Bahrain will be presented below. However, before human rights law can be effective, there is a national safety law that is even more important to implement then that of Human Rights which is:

10. 2 Human Rights in Times of Emergency – United Nations

The enjoyment of some human rights may be restricted during times of war or public emergency. The international instruments on human rights define a state of emergency as a “..public emergency which threatens the life of a nation.”

Source: UN Times of Emergency Law

Thus, it is without a doubt that the United Nations recognizes that human rights can be limited or even pushed aside during times of national emergency as it is a legal matter of basic human rights vs. national security, giving the upper hand to national security and in a circumstance known as peremptory norms or jus cogens, making the law revocable based on the binding obligations by the United Nations Character. This law gives countries justification for human rights violations for example: Japanese American internment in WWII, Stan’s Great Purge, and modern day abuses of terror suspects rights by countries, often in the name of War on Terror.

Having said that, the protestors prior and even during the ongoing state of emergency in Bahrain, have contravened numerous basic rules of International Humanitarian Law. Amongst them are:

·      Human Right Violation # 1 (Right to Life):

Article 3. : Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being.

Law:  "Every human being has the inherent right to life. This shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life". International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Source: International Covenant Law

Policeman Kashif Manzor- Killed by Protestors

Civil Servant Farouk Albloushi- Killed by Protestors

·

Human Right Violation # 2 (Children Rights):

      Article 25.(2) : Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. 

Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to the young. Some of the rights enforced is of children being physically, mentally and emotionally free from "abuse".

Law:  "The child must be in a position to earn a livelihood, and must be protected against every form of exploitation". The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, UN

 

Source: UN Declaration of the Rights of Children

Little Children Holding "Down with Regime" Sign (Left)

 Young Boy throwing bricks at Police (Right)

 

Children sitting in front of car, carrying "Down Minister of Education" Sign (Left)

Child wearing a Martyr's outfit with Paint blood spilt on it as a symbol of Martyrdom (Right)

 

Child holding a Horrific Sign (Left)

Child wearing a head band with "Ask God for Martyrdom" (Right)

Innocent Children pushed into violence and politics 

  

·      Human Right Violation # 3 (Right to Healthcare):

     Article 25. (1): Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of oneself and one’s family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care. (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

       The right to health is the economic, social and cultural right to the highest attainable standard of health. It is recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The United Nations further defined the right to health in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966. The Covenant guarantees the "right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health".

Law: "To respect the right to health by refraining from direct violations, such as systemic discrimination within the health system". UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Source: UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Doctor holding the Quran to bless the protestors in case of Martyrdom at Salmaniya Hospital

Protestors getting blessings from Doctor to proclaim "Martyrdom" at Hospital

 

 Protestors gathering in front of Salmaniya Hospital after taking in Hostages

 

 Salmaniya Hospital- Doctors and Nurses Lockers with Nasrallah and Hezbollah Stickers on them

 

Protestors camping at Salmaniya Hospital calling for Civil Disobedience

 

 

Political Messages stuck on Hospital Doors and Walls urging political protests

·      Human Right Violation # 6 (Right to Safety):

·        Article 5. : No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  

       Right to people's safety is a basic human right that we are born with. We live in the 21st century with rights protecting humanity, thus torturing, cruelty or any kind of degrading treatment will not go unpunished before the law. In Bahrain's recent protest, the rioters have taken Naturalized citizens and migrant workers hostage where they have treated them in the most inhuman way possible. To illustrate that, look at the photos below.

Law: "Each State Party shall take legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any under its jurisdiction". United Nations Convention Against Torture

Source: United Nations Convention Against Torture

 

 

Migrant Workers tortured and harmed in a degrading manner by the Protestors.

·      Human Right Violation # 4 (Right to Equality & Anti-Discrimination):

·        Article 1. : All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

·        Article 7. : All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.  

Equality before the law or legal egalitarianism is the principle under which each individual is subject to the same laws, however the protestors in Bahrain have taken a discriminatory swerve by calling people "Naturalized" and acting inferior towards them. Schools have seen the hitting of Sunni "Naturalized" Bahraini's by Shittes.

Law: "All are equal before the law and are entitles without any discrimination to equal protection of the law". UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

Source: UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

Shia students hitting a bullying a lone girl for being "Naturalized"

Teacher incites students about "Naturalization"

Boys shouting "All Naturalized people leave Bahrain" at School

·       Human Right Violation # 5 (Right to Education):

Article 26. (1): Everyone has the right to education. (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

The right to education is recognized as a basic human right. Education in Bahrain has been stopped for over 2-3 weeks during the times of the protests in Bahrain and despite parents sending their children to school, only they are forced back to their homes because the teachers were on strike, not allowing the children to complete their basic right of education that has been supplied by the government of Bahrain free of charge from primary to secondary level, in addition to the terrorism that the protestors were in charge of at the University of Bahrain, which caused the students to be scared and forced the closing of the national University.

Law: “The Right to education encompasses also the obligation to eliminate discrimination at all levels of the educational system, to set minimum standards and to improve quality”. United Nations

Source: UN Declaration

School Girls protesting during school hours, carrying signs that say "Excuse me School, but I will not attend until you teach about the fall of Al Khalifa government in books".

 

School girls during school hours protesting, denying the basic right of education for the other students.

     

Girls Protesting during school hours outside of school

Shia clerk gives the students a motivational speech before protest

Chaos on School premesis and threatening teachers

·      Human Right Violation # 5 (Right to Free Movement- Against Encroachment):

·        Article 13.(1) : Everyone has the right to freedom of movement.

·        Article 13.(2): Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

Encroachment: An illegal intrusion in a highway or navigable river, with or without obstruction. An encroachment upon street or highway is a fixture, such as a wall or fence, which illegally intrudes into or invades the highway or encloses a portion of it, diminishing its width or area. Freedom of movement, mobility rights is a human rights concept that the constitutions of numerous countries respect. It asserts that a citizen of a state, in which that citizen is present has the liberty to travel, reside in, and/or in any part of the state where one pleases within the limits of respect for liberty and rights of others.

Law: Breaching of the Peace: as offence against public order causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace.

Source: Action Against Encroachment Law

Protestors have placed barracades in the most prominent highway leading to the capital city, Manama not allowing people to head to their jobs, in or out of the city or run their day to day errands.

 The protestors have placed numerous bricks to barracade the roads and limit activity and mobility.

 The placing of barbwires and obstacles by the protestors in the middle of the road to limit peoples' activity. 

 The protestors have used their cars as barracades to take control of the major highway in Manama.

 More images of the protestors while limiting access of the highway.

The placement of dump trucks in the middle of the highway again for the same reasons.

 

Bahrain's government moral compass has been intact throughout, as it has been patient with the protestors demands until they have pushed the security boundaries of Bahraini civilians in a blind pursuit of an Iranian led "coup", which encouraged a new wave of human rights abuse by the protestors, that made way to these alarming violations.  As a nation, Bahrain was never one to be obsessed with force or weapons, however the nations own children, have pulled out real weapons of discrimination, racism, uncontrolled trade in small arms, child abuse, violence and torture against its people. Though the country has been lenient in the past, this time, these violations will not go unaddressed.

Note: Many thanks to nalsowaidi for providing several of the photographs.

False Accusations by New York Times

The journalist of today has a responsibility to report facts as accurately, objectively, and disinterestedly as is humanly possible. The newspaperman who respects himself and his work- the average newspaperman- accepts this responsibility. The honest, self-disciplines, well-trained reporter seeks to be a propagandist for nothing but the truth, but this wasn’t the case with the reporters of a globally respected newspaper that is meant to be a credible source to its readers.

1. Two Protesters Dead as Bahrain Declares State of Emergency - March 15, 2011 by Ethan Bronner

Lie 1:

"The government meanwhile accused the protesters of running over and killing a member of the security forces and directing automatic weapons fire at others. It was impossible to verify such claims, but there was little doubt that the mood on the streets had hardened in the month since peaceful protests began in Pearl Square, the capital’s center. The demonstrators still chant “peaceful, peaceful” but some now also carry sticks of wood and steel". 

This was what the article had to say about the situation in Bahrain, however, what it intentionally left out was that the peaceful protest was in fact a violent, brutal one that has left several civil servants dead and hundreds injured. Below is the evidence against the writings of an international journalist of a renowned newspaper.

Evidence of "PEACEFUL" Protest:

Videos:

A. Face of Violent Protest
B. Terrorists Attacking Migrant Workers
C. Terrorists Cut a Muazen Tongue- Dead
D. Protestors Run over Policeman
E. Hospital Turned into a Political Camp
F. Violent Protest
G. Running over policeman Ahmed Al Muraisi (the violators have been caught).

Images:

1.       Foreign Labors Targeted in Bahrain (view site for more in the matter)

Images of the "peaceful" protest:

 Violent Protestor Throwing Molotov Cocktail on Police

 Violent Protestors Throwing Molotov Cocktails on Police

 Violent Protestors Attacking Police

Violent Protestors Holding Flowers in one hand and Attacking with the other

 Violent Protestors Attack Police Vehicle

 Violent Protestors, take control of a Police Car and Celebrate as they sit drive it away

Lie 2:

"There is little evidence that the Shiite-led protests here have an Iranian sponsor or flavor. In fact, they are at least as much about demands for a democratic government as about sectarianism".

1.       Clinton Warns Iran over meddling in Gulf- CBS

2.      Iranian Website Launched to Recruit Jihadists for Bahrain

3.      Hezbollah Foreign Secretary criticizes Hezbollah Interference

Written evidence of Iran’s interference:

“Iran, the center of Shiite Islam which has sometimes called Bahrain one of its own provinces, objected angrily to the troops’ arrival. The state media called it an invasion and the Foreign Ministry spokesman told a news conference in Tehran that the presence of foreign troops in Bahrain was “unacceptable.” – Ethan Bronner (March 15, 2011, NYTIMES).

If this is not enough proof that Iran has been interfering in the region’s business, then let’s look at some of the photographs that show where many of the Bahraini people loyalty stands? If people in Bahrain were really loyal to the country, then why at all carry “terrorist” flags. Before starting to point fingers, read what Washington says about Hezbollah as it still considers it a terrorist organization that has visible ties to Iran.

Images:

Jihadist recruiting websites to "fight" for Bahrain and its people.

 A protest in Bahrain (years ago showing loyalty and support to Hezbollah)

Ali Salman in the Center (black cloak) in support of Hezbollah's actions. Again photo taken from a few years ago, but once one pledges allegiance to a group, they stay in it, with it and for it. There is evidence this resigned parliament Shia clerk said that "If GCC Troops enter Bahrain, we will call Iran". In due time, all evidence will clear and be shown to public. This is but a simple association to the group and Hezbollah, the terrorist group as recognized by Washington.

Kids carrying flags of Hezbollah in Bahrain backed by many photographs of Khomeni of Iran. What do they know about politics?

Image on left in Lebanon at a gathering for Nassrallah's speech to Bahrain recently, the other in Iraq supporting again a terrorist organization that has clear ties into Bahraini's. Similar to when the police caught terrorists in 1995, when they confessed to have been trained by Hezbollah.

 

2. In Bahrain, a Proxy Battle between Saudi Arabia and Iran- March 20, 2011 by Mark Slackman

 

Lie 3:

There has been no evidence that Iran played a part in Bahrain’s uprising, which was led by young Bahrainis from the Shiite majority.

1.       Wikileaks Exposes Truth About Bahraini HR Activists & Iran

Relevant evidence that clearly shows ties of people who call themselves "human right activists" that have been paid by Iran.  

3. Forces Rout Protestors From Bahrain Square- March 16, 2011 by Ethan Bronner

Lie 4:

"But it is more fraught, because 70 percent of the country, especially its poorest citizens, is Shiite Muslim while the king and the elite are Sunni".

1.       CIO - BREAKDOWN OF BAHRAINI MUSLIM SECTS

(If the CIA shows only 81.2% in total are Muslim, how can they claims that 70% of the country is Shia?) One of the files that the Shia were arguing about was the “citizenship file”, which they staated: “granting citizenships to Sunni from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria is against the law and should be stopped”. If this truly is the case, then don’t you think that the % of the population of Shia has gone done? Again, partial inaccurate facts, as there aren’t significant studies showing the exact % of the Muslim sect of Bahrain from a reliable source and Wikipedia isn’t one.

4. Saudi Troops Enter Bahrain to Put Down Unrest- March 14, 2011 by Ethan Bronner and Mark Slackman

Lie 5:

“We don’t know what is going to happen,” Jassim Hussein Ali, a member of the opposition Wefaq party and a former member of Parliament, said in a phone interview. “Bahrain is heading toward major problems, anarchy. This is an occupation, and this is not welcome.”

1.       Peninsula Shield Troops' Deployment is Legitimate

2. GCC Troops Dispatched to Bahrain to maintain order
(Independent Middle Eastern News Channel).

When is sending troops to maintain the control of the city called "occupation"? Is a legitimate and signed Gulf Coorperation Council treaty in 1982 not a reason to denounce the word "occupation".

Lie 6:

“But the officials also acknowledged that it was a message to Iran. “There is no doubt Iran is involved,” said the official, though no proof has been offered that Iran has had anything to do with the political unrest”.

Proof has been shown in Lie #2 and # 4

5. Main Public Hospital is Drawn into Bahrain Strife- April 12, 2011 by Clifford Krauss

Lie 7:

"Ambulances have been blocked from aiding wounded patients, according to health care workers and human rights advocates".

Were the healthcare and human rights advocates the same ones Wikileaks accussed?  

1.       Attacking Ambulance 

Hospital post politicalization and proterstors who were asked to leave after the arrival of the Peninsula Sheild.

 

A healthcare vehicle known worldwide to serve patients at the scene of a protest supporting the civil disobedience and protestors.

When was it ok to turn a hospital into a political asylum? When was it ok for doctors and nurses that are considered angels of mercy to act in an aggressive demeanour? Since when a hospital is used to hold hostages?

1. Protestor Doctors Calling for Fall of Gov.
2. Bahrain's Largest Hospital turned into Political Asylum
3. Asian Hostages taken in by Protestors at Hospital (Indian hostages taken by the terrorists)

4. Shia clerks' political speech at hospital campsite
5. Doctor's Oath Betrayed (Doctor's Oath)

Lie 8:

"The problems at Salmaniya began two months ago when demonstrators began using the parking lot in front of the emergency ward for protests, and some doctors joined in while they were supposedly on duty".

 Crime at Salmaniya Hospital Regardless of what the situation is why deny humanity the right for healthcare? If it was truly a peaceful protest, why are Doctors who are meant to manage the largest hospital in the country demonstrating, leaving their jobs and duties in a time when the country needed people to stand behind it and at least support the citizens and locals in the country?

Interesting Fact:

"Most doctors in Bahrain are Shiite, as is a majority of the population".

So if most doctors in Bahrain are Shiite according to the author of the article, and it is universally known that they are amongst the highly paid individuals, why are they protesting? For someone to contradict himself by stating that “most” of these doctors are of one sec, and hold a large majority in Bahrain’s population: meaning a high percentage of them are well off, it is eminent to wonder if the author knows what’s truly happening in Bahrain because it seems NY Times has gotten used to spreading partial facts especially about Bahrain, which is a propaganda technique.

In one of the previous articles the author mentioned:

"Opposition politicians said that a number of Bahraini officials, all Shiite, had resigned as a result of Wednesday’ s crackdown. They said they included the ministers of health and housing, four members of the Shura, or advisory council, and perhaps some judges".

Is this too not proof, that the “opposition”, i.e. many of them were people that are involved one way or another in the demonstrations in Bahrain, have high positions in society and are doing well? So if the Shittes in Bahrain have high positions, what are they and their people protesting about? Weren't the 3 main demands: housing, salary and employment? Again, contradiction.

It is plain and clear that what has happened in Bahrain wasn't a peaceful protest and that the international media played a large role in spreading and writing false and unbacked news. This kind of demoralizing reporting was meant to break the government, induce and injest the author's ideas and thougths to the readers. This is but some of the collected evidence and I wanted to thank a special woman who has opened my eyes to the situation after accusing me of "libelous" behavior and wanted the New York Times to sue me. If we live in a world, it is one of freedom of speech so you can say what you would like but the truth will come out and the boots will be fully used to not only catch up with the lies but expose it. This is not the end of me, this is only the beginning. I rest my case.

Brave Bahraini

Note: I wanted to thank the loyal Bahraini citizens for reporting the truth as much as they could and for telling the world that we are not Egypt, Libya or any of the other nations. We are Bahrain and united we will stand against terrorism and anyone who wants to harm this wonderful island of ours. Long Live Bahrain, under Allah, the King and loyal citizens.



Prop Agenda

Conflict as we know is fought at least on two grounds: the battlefield and the minds of the people via propaganda. In every quarrel or debate there are people depicted as good people while others, bad. Both of them are guilty of misleading their people or followers with distortions, exaggerations, subjectivity, inaccuracy and even fabrications, in order to receive support and a sense of legitimacy.

During the times of war, or build up for war, messages of extremities and hate, combined with emotions of honor and righteousness interplay to provide powerful propaganda for a cause. These are some of the props used as part of a larger agenda hence the name "propaganda". What we have witnessed in Bahrain is the proper vehicles of a well constructed, book abided, thoroughly executed propaganda plan. The protestors in Bahrain, have promoted the negative image of the "enemy" which has been reinforced with the rhetoric about the decency of themselves, with an inner fused attempt to congregate support and nurture the belief that what is to be done is in the positive and beneficial interest of everyone. Like turning Salmaniya Hospital, one of the largest medical facilities in the country into a terrorist hub, the instigation of violence at schools, the call of a nation-wide civil disobedience to hurt the country's economy and many more of these plots. If it benefits everybody, then why were the kids and adults denied the basic human right of education and healthcare? If it benefits everybody then why were the people not agreeing with the protest subjugated and denied their right to go out and enjoy the beauty of their country?

The protestors knew exactly what they were doing, many of them were spoon fed the basic principles of demonizing the other and while not judging the self, leading to accusations of double standards and hypocrisy. For instance, some of the major symbols in Bahrain, have been demonized by these groups to further their cause and rally people behind common grounds.

These props were exploited to depict one side over the other, but let's not kid ourselves, there are many more elements that have been employed, knowingly to prepare themselves and use the media to the best of their extent. The elements used by the protestors in Bahrain's "uprising", were the demonization of the enemy's leader, this was done by comparing the leader with Hitler for an instant reaction to what Hitler's name provokes. Secondly, the use of selective stories in reporting Bahrain's "peaceful" protest. Where only the peaceful face was shown and not the brutally grim. Thirdly, the manufacturing of atrocity, by assembling stories to whip up and strengthen emotional reactions. This was evident in Alwasat newspaper stories that  were known to have been fabrications and outright lies. Not to mention the many paid local and international journalists that have been reporting false and unsupported news to the world like we have read in the New York Times recently. Fourthly, demoralizing the "enemy's'" morale (i.e. the government). This is a primary objective of propaganda aimed at the government to break down their will to fight back. It seeks to lower the government's will to resist and it is not blind to everyone, how this was attempted, by the misuse of modern media and the building up of boastful bogus speeches which was a strategic plan to intimidate the leaders, to separate them from their people and to break down resistance by producing fabricated evidence that the mass of the enemy leaders have been deceived and mislead.

While propaganda influences the behavior of individuals, it is important to bear in mind that is only one of the powerful means by which man's behavior is influenced. But the question still remains, which did the protestors exploit in their demonstration, were they ready to die or lie for their cause?

Brave Bahrain



Playing Politics

Whoever says Sports & Politics are not related must be living on another planet. Sports and Politics are two separate entities that have close unified ties and are very much connected on many different levels. The intersection of sports and politics, or more specifically the use of sports metaphors when discussing politics, is a common focus of writers and commentators. The words "comeback", "dynasty", "play" and others are used frequently in both fields. Such usage is often predictable and lazy, but occasionally the sports analogy is pertinent when discussing a political issue. In addition to that, sports performance is a mirror reflection of the political stability of a nation.

There is no question that sports and politics are linked in how they are analyzed. Politics is often referred to as one of America's great sports, and followers of politics and sports use similar analytical methods, mainly stats, to augment and clarify points.

After all, as in sports, winning is all that matters in elections. Having said that, many Bahraini Athletes have been dismissed and sacked for participating in anti-government protests that took place at the sight of the once standing Pearl Roundabout. Their political attendance provoked outcries from fans and pundits against mixing sports with politics. These athletes have spoken on matters of public controversy, missed work, and attended the protest several times which are displayed as an unworthy sense of civil disobedience. 

Ala'a Hubail and his brother Mohammed have been fired from Bahrain's National Soccer Team. The dismissal followed a Bahrain TV broadcast that showed the brothers among anti-government demonstrators. These players along with many of their fellow anti-government athletes have clearly showed their disloyalty to the government despite them being presented with homes, cars, BD 7000 (US 20,000) per international game win or lose by the same government they were opposing. One of them was nicknamed Golden Boy for being the first Bahraini to win the Golden Boot award for scoring 5 goals during the 2004 Beijing Asian Cup. S.Adnan, the notorious player known for missing a penalty against New Zealand's World Cup Qualifications game said "he didn't mean to be there". Standing up against the government who feeds them, isn't at all a reason to be there in the first place. While Ala'a Hubail stated that "he didn't know he was standing in front of a banner that clearly read Death to Al Khalifa and Down with the government". These false claims made by both once loved players of the national team were a disgrace and a disappointment to their diehard fans.

A good sports team reflects on the political stability of its country. When a country is stable, secure and safe, it will affect the morale of a team, which was the reason Al Ahli Soccer Club pulled out of GCC Club Championships, saying that the protests have prevented many of their players from attending training sessions.

Moving on to an international example, the Munich massacre, which is an informal name for events that occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually murdered by the Islamic terrorist group Black September. Members of Black September contended that Yasser Arafat's Fatah organization secretly endorsed the operation. By the end of the ordeal, the terrorists had killed 11 Israeli athletes, coach and 1 German Police Officer. Five of the eight members of Black September were killed by police officers  during a failed rescue attempt. Israel responded to the massacre with Operation Spring of Youth and Operation Wrath of God as well as a series of airstrikes and killings of those suspected of planning the kidnappings. So, whoever says sports and politics are not related, is mistaken, history has long seen many correlations between the two.

Of course, for some, sports are an all-consuming, year round participatory experience. There's nary a month without something to watch for fans who follow several sports. In the end, it's probably a good thing for those who follow politics and sports with equal interest that the national council of representatives elections occurs every four years. It would likely be too much to take on an annual basis. ­­­­

Brave Bahrain

B for Betrayal

Remember Remember months after December....Traitors, treason and plot.

I see no reason why traitors, treason....Should ever be forgot.

Bells are ringing and their sounds are getting louder with each passing day. These bells of awakening, the bells of justice, the bells of Safra. Lately, everything seen or heard is a reminder of why Bahrain is acting the way it is, why the people are behaving in this way with banners on the street asking for the His Majesty the King to not allow for another "Let bygones be bygones" and for the judicial council to act with complete justice and reason. What in recent times happened in Bahrain, is not easy nor was it something to be hush hush about, instead, there has to be capital punishment to secure the safety and security of Bahrain and ensure that the law is being rightfully practiced.

Throughout history, bells have been used to warn people of dangers such as marauders or approaching storms. They have been used to celebrate happy occasions internationally such as weddings and to mark sorrowful occasions such as deaths.  Bells have been tolled to gather village residents for meetings. In 1945, many church bells tolled to announce the end of World War II. In Bahrain, the echo of the soundless bell will be that of execution. It is obvious that Bahrain will be going back to the death penalty after many years of abstinence. For many years Bahrain has been in the ranks of the growing numbers of countries refusing to apply the death penalty even in the most serious crimes.

Since 1977 to 2006, Bahrain did not execute at all, with the exception of a single Bahraini execution in 1996, the time of political turmoil. However, in December 2006, the government executed 3 foreigners in Safra (2 Bengali and 1 Pakistani) for murder after their sentences were upheld on appeal following 2 stages, including a final ruling for all 3 issued by the Court of Cassation.

At the international level, 94 countries cancelled the death in their domestic law, and a small number of countries- 25 countries in 2008- still carry out executions. Amongst the countries that still apply death penalty are: Iran, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, USA, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. As opposed to Human Rights Watch Organization who consider it a penalty in principle; a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. His Majesty The King, has numerously refused to carry out the death sentence and showed opportunity to the Arab region and the world that Bahrain respects fundamental rights and human dignity. But what has been happening in Bahrain since 1996? Why are there more crimes than ever in this small nation? The answer to that is simple, criminal disobedience. In the recent events, with this massive inclination in murders, the taking of prisoners as if Bahrain is in a war state, and terrorism, it is urged that Bahrain reintroduces capital punishment (i.e. execution) to lay some sturdy rules. It is clear that the government will be resorting to it to teach and inflict death as a punishment for the wide variety of offences made by these terrorists. There is no room for atonement anymore, it has been taken to the next level. Here's a message to the :Remember, Remember, the bells of dismember.

Brave Bahrain

All Fools' Week

Seems like April Fool's Day came without a knock this year. I was expecting a BIG show on the 1st of April, but it didn't take long for the fiction feeding newspaper, Alwasat to pull one on us. For the past month, this newspaper that has lost all credibility and is currently under interrogation, has lied openly and in the light of day. A newspaper is known to be a credible news source to the readers, regardless of it siding with one group or idea over the other. This newspaper has lost the respect of many for printing lies, plagiarizing false information in its paper, and of course embedding subliminal messages in its articles to stir emotional turmoil in its readers. It is quite shameful for a newspaper that calls itself one, to deliberately lie.

Alwasat Newspaper, since its establishment in early 2000s was the one newspaper that reflected oppositional views, headed by a key oppositional figure, Mansour Al Jamri, was a key event in the opening up of society and allowing for more relaxed attitudes towards press and freedom of speech and writing. However, this newspaper was quick to attack everything that the government would call for even before its naked scandal.  Due to the country opening up, no one stood in their way of freedom in writing, but this time they have taken it too far, even for the government which put a stop to this newspaper for a day and called for replacing Al Jamri by Abadli Alabadli as the new editor and chief.

A few days ago when Bahrain TV exposed the truth of Alwasat Newspaper, Mr. Al Jamri who was asked to participate declined the invite while his wife, Reem Khalifa, who we have seen at the beginning of the events during the first international press conference, wipe her crocodile tears and fake her shaky concerned voice for the "Bahraini" people at Pearl Circle, has disappeared and immediately closed her once active anti-government twitter account. This foolish act has come at a wonderful time of what the world calls April Fools' Day.  The world celebrates it on April 1 every year, however the origin on this day, many writers suggest used to be January 1 in the 16th century.

The previous months, from a satirical point, have been filled with a lot of media rubbish, a "peaceful" protest, phony images and distorted truths, a failed revolution, wrongful accusations of the government and practices of the forces and of course a channel or two that have shifted their focus to solely discuss, Bahrain - as if this tiny island requires this much attention by them. All these commissioned lies, hoaxes and practical jokes of varying sophistication are played on international media, social network sites, forums and lastly on themselves. With emphasis on practical jokes like "fake" blood spilt on clothes and manufactured truths to name a few, it seems that many have lost their direction and sense of differentiation. If these are all the lies in the first week of April, then what should we expect by May? Perhaps that humpty dumpty exists or Michael Jackson is alive and kicking.

Brave Bahrain

To Bahraini's With Love

I have been asked time and time again why I have chosen my display picture, and the reason I have written this excerpt is solely based on the questions I have received both from people who admire the articles and many who disagree with my thoughts and disrespected me on several of my attempts. Frankly, I don't write to slur or belittle a group over the other, I speak the truth and only the truth in the face of ignorance. I use methods of humor and comparisons to subject the people I write about to embarrassment, accountability while others praise. I was not raised to insult people of another sect, in fact it is my responsibility as a Bahraini to respect many of my fellow countrymen and women. I have lived amongst Bahraini's, extremists and liberals alike, Sunni's and Shia are many of my friends and colleagues know me for my unbiased sense of differentiation. Like the Crown Prince himself stated "I am a Bahraini Muslim, all praise to Allah"- and that is how I look at myself.

 If in my writings I have offended people, then I apologize for making them feel isolated, but I do not apologize for my writings against the terrorist plotters of Bahrain as there is no action that speaks louder than words than what they have done with this peaceful country of mine. I do not apologize for acting in behalf of my country if not by sword, then by word and try and shed light on truth and sincerity which the international media have found a way to blind. If Bahrain was just a country, then my patriotism to this country would not have kicked in and formed tears when I saw Pearl Roundabout tarnished for the first time after its occupation. If I am not a true Bahraini, like others accuse me, then I would not pray day in and out for safety and security under the leadership of my government. I do not care if I am liked or detested but I care about my country and my people. This Bahrain that people are fighting over is not the last piece of cake that we pinch before any one makes a call for. This is our Bahrain, that we should look after the way she looked after us, giving us a land to live on, homes to live in, an education that we can flaunt, jobs that many don't have, respect that country's fall short on and most of all endless love that hasn't for a moment stopped flowing. Why then do we all give back to it, hurt and do it unjustly? Like I said, I chose my display picture, a photograph of the history of Bahrain, the history of Al Khalifa in Bahrain, a country and family that goes hand in hand to build and flourish this small island of big achievements. I chose this display picture because it represents the truth, order and civility of what this country with this family has given and brought to Bahrain with the right resources and leadership. My photograph of Sh. Salman bin Hamad is a mark rather an imprint or seal of what has made Bahrain the way it is. I speak now because I have reached a level of overbearing, a point of pain caused by the divisions in my country, looking up trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel and walking firmly to reach it with my fellow countrymen. Let us drop this hatred, stop this partition that is affecting us all. Let us all unite under our country and leadership. This is our Bahrain before its anyone else's, let us look out for it because the more we hurt it, the more we lose of it and soon I'm scared that it will be too late.

Brave Bahrain