Activists speak on fresh arrest warrants
May 8, 2011 Leave a comment
Please see https://bahraincampaign.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/bahrain-issues-arrests-warrants-for-activists/
Bahraini’s take torture case to UN
May 8, 2011 Leave a comment
From Socialist Worker
by Dominic Kavakeb
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will decide this week as to whether it plans to accept a case of war crimes against Bahrain’s government. A group of Bahrainis living in Britain, with a team of international lawyers, travelled to The Hague last week to present their report to the prosecutor.
The 500 page report features testimonies of widespread torture, human rights violations and extra judicial executions, all carried out by state authorities. The crimes include the recent repression by government thugs against the mass uprising that took place in February. It killed at least 31 people.
The West has remained largely silent over the plight of Bahrainis fighting against the regime. But the hope is that this case will bring attention to the brutal repression carried out by the ruling Al Khalifa family. ICC representatives had promised to look at the case immediately due to the continuing crackdown.
Those travelling from Britain are no strangers to the crimes committed by the Bahraini regime. Jaffar Al Hasadi lives in London but was arrested last summer at Bahrain International Airport, on his way into Bahrain.
He said, “They used many types of torture on me. It was like the Middle Ages. They hung us in a ‘chicken’ position, putting my head between my legs and raising my legs up. The pain was so intense and they beat us all over our bodies. All the time we were blindfolded.”
Another who wishes to protect his identity described the humiliation he experienced after organising a protest in support of unemployed workers. “I was kidnapped from my home and taken to a quiet dark place where I was beaten and then raped. I was told if I ever try to do this again I will face the same treatment.”
The Bahrainis who have joined this delegation have done so in the knowledge that they will never be allowed to return home and that their families will probably face reprisals. Yasser, who lives in Manchester, said his nephew in Bahrain has been missing for three months. Yasser says this is revenge for his activism in Britain.
“We know the risks but we can’t be silent anymore,” he said. “Bahrain needs us.”
Yasser joins war crimes delegation
May 8, 2011 Leave a comment
From The Bolton News
A BOLTON man is among a group of Bahrainis living in Britain travelling to the Hague today to lodge war crimes allegations against the Al Khalifa family at the International Criminal Court.
Yasser Al-Saegh, who lives in Chorley Old Road, Heaton, is one of five Bahrainis making the trip because he is concerned about the regime and is campaigning for democracy.
They say a dossier of evidence charts the use of army tanks and snipers to fire on peaceful unarmed protesters, killing at least 31. Hundreds were severely injured, and then denied basic medical treatment and access to the country’s main medical centre, they claim.
It is alleged some of those who made it to the hospital were picked up by the police, attacked and taken away.
Computer analyst Mr Al- Saegh, aged 42, who has lived in Bolton for nearly 20 years claims his nephew has been kidnapped by authorities in the Middle East as punishment for his outspoken views on the regime at a protest in Manchester.
He said: “I am extremely concerned about what has been going on, and especially my nephew after he disappeared. We have not heard from him since he went missing in March.
“We want to bring the regime to justice, because they are violating human rights. We want peace and democracy.”
On Bahrain and The Hague
May 6, 2011 1 Comment
I’ve only spent the last 24 hours with this group of 5 Bahrainis but it already feels like I’ve known them for weeks.
I decided to join this trip to The Hague because I, like many others, have been outraged at the treatment of the Bahraini people by the ruling Al Khalifa family. My anger also extended to the media outlets that refused to extensively cover the recent Bahrain protests, whilst championing other Arab revolutions. So I believed I could offer a small amount of assistance in organising media coverage of this attempt to bring the Al Khalifas to justice for war crimes.
So I knew the situation in Bahrain was a bad one. But nothing could prepare me for the experience of actually spending time with those who have suffered most.
This morning at breakfast one Bahraini was complaining his back was aching. “Did you sleep funny?” I asked. His response was chilling. “No I always get this pain since August when I was tortured for 40 days”.
What can be said to such a statement? But of course the scars of such brutality are not just physical but mental as well. And it is those scars that out last any marks on the body, in many cases they never go away.
Yesterday one Bahraini told me about how we was sexually abused by Bahraini police for simply organising a demonstration in support of the unemployed. Again, how do you respond to that? You can’t say anything. You just look away and say nothing.
And this is a repeated crime. It is why we have come to The Hague, to try to use international law to prosecute Bahrain for it’s crimes. The messages of support from people all over the world have meant so much to the Bahrainis. Everytime I read another message from twitter or facebook it receives huge cheers. And the few negative attacks I have received from the same 2 or 3 people would be laughable if they weren’t so offensive. So thanks to everyone who has supported us and please keep the messages coming in.
But this is not enough, alone. We need people taking to the streets, raising the issue anywhere and everywhere. Everyone knows there are powerful countries acting behind Bahrain and we need to mobilise everything we possibly can to counteract this wealthy and powerful elite.
It’s been an honour and humbling to be here with this group who have experienced so much. I have nothing but admiration and respect for their bravery and courage. They all know the punishment they will receive if they ever return to their homeland. Many of them have family in Bahrain that will be persecuted on behalf of their representatives here. It would be enough to make even the hardest campaigner stop.
But these guys refuse to give in. Because they aren’t just fighting for themselves. They campaign for the whole of Bahrain and the whole of humanity.
If it were possible to have an online round of applause I would request that now. Instead honour our comrades by campaigning on their behalf and doing whatever you can.
Dominic
Breaking News: The ICC to look at the case IMMEDIATELY
May 6, 2011 7 Comments
Around one hour ago (2.30pm GMT) our lawyers left the International Court with very good news.
The ICC have agreed to look into the case, immediately, so as to avoid any further bloodshed in Bahrain.
In addition they agreed with our premise that Bahrain is indeed breaking international law and were very positive about our campaign.
Lead lawyer May Khansa said, “I’m very pleased, this is definitely the start we needed.”
The evidence was presented after a loud and lively demonstration outside the court with protesters demanding, ‘Out, out, Al Khalifa!’.
We know there is still a long way to go in bringing the Al Khalifa family to justice for their war crimes, but this is the first step and a very positive step.
In the next few hours we will be uploading photos and videos from the day.
Bahrain Campaign 