http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Bahrain Centre for Human Rights) en-us Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:33:00 -0800 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/a-nation-under-occupation-bahrains-forgotten-uprising-two-years-on?start=0 Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous describes his recent trip to Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy continues its crackdown on a two-year old uprising. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of US-backed forces. While talks are taking place this week between the Bahraini government and opposition groups, several of Bahrain's leading human rights defenders remain imprisoned. "Bahrain had the feeling of a country under occupation," Kouddous says of his visit. "There was helmeted riot police in full armor, wielding shotguns, tear gas, sound grenades; deployed around villages outside of the helicopters; there were helicopters buzzing overhead conducting surveillance... Many people from the opposition movement lament that they have been forsaken by the international community and forgotten by the world's media for this uprising that doesn't get a lot of attention." <br /> Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:33:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/a-nation-under-occupation-bahrains-forgotten-uprising-two-years-on Bahrain Uprising, Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Pearl Roundabout, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Tear gas, Manama, Human rights in Bahrain, Abu Saiba Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous describes his recent trip to Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy continues its crackdown on a two-year old uprising. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of US-backed forces. While talks are taking place this week between the Bahraini government and opposition groups, several of Bahrain's leading human rights defenders remain imprisoned. "Bahrain had the feeling of a country under occupation," Kouddous says of his visit. "There was helmeted riot police in full armor, wielding shotguns, tear gas, sound grenades; deployed around villages outside of the helicopters; there were helicopters buzzing overhead conducting surveillance... Many people from the opposition movement lament that they have been forsaken by the international community and forgotten by the world's media for this uprising that doesn't get a lot of attention." ---- We begin today's show looking at the Gulf nation of Bahrain, a close U.S. ally and the home of the Navy's Fifth Fleet. Tensions remain high in Bahrain after a teenager was killed last week on the second anniversary of pro-democracy protests. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of U.S.-backed security forces. While talks are taking place this week between the Bahraini government and opposition groups, several of that nation's leading human rights defenders remain imprisoned. Attorney Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, the co-founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, is serving a life sentence. He has already been held for nearly two years. Nabeel Rajab, another prominent human rights defender, is serving a three-year sentence. Democracy Now! correspondent and Nation Institute fellow Sharif Abdel Kouddous has just returned from Bahrain. His latest article, "Scenes from a Bahraini Burial," will be published by The Nation today. He joins us from his home in Cairo, Egypt. Welcome to Democracy Now!, Sharif. Talk about what you found in Bahrain. And how difficult was it to get in? Well, I actually was granted at the last moment a journalist visa to enter for three days. And so, I was there for the uprising, the anniversary of the uprising on February 14th. And really, on that day and the days afterwards, Bahrain had the feeling of a country under occupation. There was helmeted riot police in full armor wielding shotguns, tear gas, sound grenades, deployed around villages outside of the capital. There was helicopters buzzing overhead conducting surveillance, police helicopters. There were checkpoints set up—and this is a feature of life in Bahrain—checkpoints along the major roads with security forces stopping motorists, checking IDs, sometimes keeping people for hours and harassing them. And meanwhile, inside the villages, there's—clashes take place with police, young men and boys in T-shirt balaclavas throwing Molotov cocktails and stones at police and usually being attacked with shotguns and suffocating amounts of tear gas. You see many of these young men going towards the site of the Pearl Roundabout, that roundabout that was destroyed by the government in the early months of the uprising in 2011. And this is a recurring symbolic—symbolic act of resistance to reclaim the birthplace of the uprising. So, this was the scene on the ground in Bahrain. And, of course, as you mentioned, on that day, a 16-year-old boy by the name of Hussain al-Jaziri was shot and killed by a police officer. I spoke to eyewitnesses who told me he was no more than three or four yards away from the police officer when he was killed. This has only fueled the unrest. And his funeral two days later was attended by thousands of people holding up pictures of him, a smiling picture of him, chanting things like "Down with Hamad," the king of Bahrain, chanting things like "I'm the next martyr." And this was despite police efforts to really cordon off the entire area. In the morning of that day, police had put roadblocks on all the major roads leading to a major area, to these two villages where the funeral march would take place. And really, there was an unforgettable scene as the march reached the graveyard and Hussain's body was being lowered into the grave. Protesters continued going forward towards the Pearl Roundabout, where, you know, dozens of security forces were waiting for them. And there was tear gas being fired, and people were holding tissues and gas masks over their hands and mouth as this body was being lowered into the ground. And so, this is the kind of scene that is in Bahrain, and many people lament there, from the opposition movement, that they have been forsaken by the international community and forgotten by the world's media for this uprising that doesn't get a lot of attention in the media. And, Sharif, you mentioned the tear gas that was fired. And in your article, you talk about the lethal use of tear gas throughout this democracy uprising by the forces, the government forces, in Bahrain. Could you expand on that? Right. Well, the police—and it must be mentioned that large ranks of the police are recruits from other countries, like Pakistan, Yemen and Jordan, and they're referred to by protesters and opposition people as mercenaries. But the security forces, the government had been heavily criticized for their use of tear gas in Bahrain. People speak about it as an unavoidable hazard of everyday life. Physicians for Human Rights, the U.S.-based group, released a study last year that found that their use—the government's use of tear gas was unprecedented in the world. People speak about how it's shot into apartments, into cars. Women—pregnant women have had miscarriages because of this. People speak of different types of colored gas—yellow and blue and black. And so, this is the kind of repression and crackdown on dissent that we're seeing. And on the eve of the uprising, a woman by the name of Amina Sayed Mahdi, who was a 36-year-old cashier at a country mall, at a mall, died of a lung infection after a month-long stint in the hospital. She would go home every day to her village in Abu Saiba and have to be exposed to a lot of gas. There was a lot of clashes around her village. And she would often faint on the way home. The people who documented her case told me that she would vomit often. She had stomach problems and eventually developed a lung infection. Now, she did have pre-existing medical conditions, which complicated the case, but her family points to the government and blame [it] directly for the killing. And hundreds turned out for her funeral. And they lay the blame also and call her a martyr, saying she died at the hands of the government's use of—lethal use of tear gas. Sharif, can you talk about the announcement by the king, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, to begin talks with the political opposition, their significance, the monarchy a close ally of the United States government? Right, the king in late January called for a national dialogue to be held. The first session was held on February 10th. This was the first attempt at talks in over 18 months, since dialogue broke down in the summer of 2011. It involves six opposition groups, along with pro-government representatives and the government themselves, in these talks. The people—the al-Wefaq Society, which is the largest political opposition group, is calling for a constitutional monarchy, major reforms including an elected prime minister to replace the king's uncle, who's been in power as prime minister for an astounding 42 years. There's a lot of skepticism amongst many of the people I spoke to on the ground of the outcome of these talks, that speaks to a deep mistrust of the government, given the crackdown that we've seen on protesters and on human rights workers over these last two years. They say that none of the recommendations put forward in a government-commissioned inquiry that was released in November 2011, that was headed by Cherif Bassiouni, none of them have been implemented. They say that none of the—or none of the key ones have been implemented, rather. The same goes for a U.N. report released in September that had a host of recommendations. They say none of those have been implemented. And there's a lot of skepticism and mistrust of the government. And so, we'll have to see where these talks go forward, but the increased unrest that we've seen in the last week threatens to derail them. http://news.linktv.org/videos/leading-bahraini-opposition-activists-sentenced-to-life-in-prison?start=0 Bahrain's top court rejects the appeals of 13 opposition activists who were sentenced to between five years and life in prison, sparking protests in Bahrain. Leading opposition activists Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Hassan Mushaima, and Abduljalil al-Singace all received life sentences. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:33:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/leading-bahraini-opposition-activists-sentenced-to-life-in-prison Hasan Mushaima, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Bahrain Uprising, Abduljalil al-Singace, Bahrain, Human rights in Bahrain, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Shia Islam, Activism, Life imprisonment Bahrain's top court rejects the appeals of 13 opposition activists who were sentenced to between five years and life in prison, sparking protests in Bahrain. Leading opposition activists Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Hassan Mushaima, and Abduljalil al-Singace all received life sentences. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-101112?start=1095 <p>Syria accuses Turkey of "air piracy" after interception of Damascus-bound passenger plane, Paris police find bomb-making equipment in basement of "terror cell," Hezbollah claims responsibility for drone that entered Israeli airspace, and more.</p> Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-101112 Israel, Politics of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shura Council, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Syria-Turkey relations, Bani Walid, Paris, Hassan Nasrallah Presenter, Female #1 Bahraini revolutionaries called for intensifying rallies in preparation for the activities of "The Right to Self Determination 13," which is scheduled for tomorrow in the capital, al-Manama. On a different front, the Bahraini minister of justice threatened Friday Imams with accountability and arrest if they continued politicizing their speeches, according to his statement. Reporter, Male #1 "To Manama." This is what Bahrain's revolutionaries called for: pouring all efforts into the capital, and fulfilling the call from the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, detainee Nabeel Rajab, who recommended increasing the activities of the revolution inside the capital. The revolutionary youth took off with mass marches and sit-ins all over Bahrain, in preparation for a march toward the capital, al-Manama, the day after tomorrow, Friday, under the banner, "The Second Friday of Resistance." Reporter, Male #1 Within the series of activities performed by the revolution's youths during the "Week of Self-Determination," the revolutionaries saluted Martyrs' Day by presenting flower bouquets to the family of martyr Sayyed Jawad Hashim. He was martyred as a result of inhaling poisonous gases that were fired by regime forces on his house, as well as residential neighborhoods, on the island of Sitra last year. A march also took place denouncing the spilling of martyrs' blood, with demands for punishment of the killers, executioners, and torturers, as well as the country's king. Reporter, Male #1 Regime forces confronted the peaceful protests with pellet bullets and poison gas. They raided homes and indiscriminately fired suffocating poison gas at them, and chased protestors. Reporter, Male #1 At the official level, the Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Khalid Bin Ali al-Khalifa, threatened the Friday pulpit preachers with detention and liability. According to his words, the preachers committed violations with their politicizing of religious speech during Friday sermons, alluding to Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassem. Reporter, Male #1 As for the Minister of Interior, he threatened a large number of Bahraini citizens with deportation from the country for good, if they fail to condemn what he described as "sabotage." In a letter directed to religious, athletic, and social institutions, he claimed that the citizens are of non-Bahraini origins. This forced them to issue statements of condemnation, in accordance with the Minister of Interior's desires. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091312?start=1003 <p>US embassy protests spread across the Middle East as anger over anti-Islam film grows, shelling of Aleppo continues as UN special envoy arrives in Damascus, Palestinian protestors call for end to Oslo peace accords, and more.</p> Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091312 United States, Israel, Iran, 2012 US diplomatic missions attacks, Nuclear program of Iran, Islam, Tehran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Bahrain, Palestinians In Bahrain people are protesting for the downfall of the regime and the release of prisoners on an almost daily basis against al-Khalifa rule in spite of a heavy crackdown. Among the detained is prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, who received a three-year sentence on August 16 for protests against Bahrain's monarchy. The court decision drew widespread criticism from rights groups. A conference on Bahrain is underway in the Lebanese capital Beirut in which organizers from the Bahrain Center for Human Rights filed a human rights report entitled, "Bahrain citizens in the grip of the executioner," highlighting rights violations by the Bahraini royal family. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-090512?start=234 Bahrain witnessed angry demonstrations in condemnation of the verdicts issued against 13 detained opposition figures, calling them illegal, reports Al-Alam. Dozens were injured by Bahraini forces during their crackdown on the marches. Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-090512 Israel, West Bank, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Human rights, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Syrian Civil War, Human rights in Bahrain, Logar Province, Avigdor Lieberman, Palestinians Presenter, Male #1 Different parts of Bahrain witnessed angry demonstrations in condemnation of the verdicts issued against 13 detained opposition figures. Dozens were injured with shotgun pellets used by the regime's forces during their crackdown on the marches. For its part, the opposition in Bahrain condemned the verdicts and considered them illegal. Britain, Denmark, and international rights organizations also condemned the verdicts and called for the release of the prisoners. Presenter, Male #2 Popular anger was expressed in different parts of the country in condemnation of the sentences handed down to 13 opposition figures held in the Bahraini regime's prisons. Slogans denouncing the unjust verdicts were chanted by the participants of a demonstration called for by opposition forces in the area of Barbar. It was held under the banner, "We all sacrifice ourselves for our symbols." Presenter, Male #2 The chants heard in Sitra, al-Sanabis, and other areas demanded the annulment of these verdicts, and the immediate release of the detainees without any restrictions or preconditions. The protestors confirmed that the popular mobilization will continue until their demands are met. These marches were attacked by regime forces as soon as they were launched with shotgun pellet and poisonous gas grenades. The result was several injuries and cases of suffocation. Presenter, Male #2 Opposition forces condemned the verdicts and considered them invalid, saying they were based on systematic retaliation. They held the international community accountable for favoring al-Manama's regime, and for failing to take measures to push the regime to respect the law and international human rights charters. Guest, Male #3 (Yousuf Rabei, President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights) The Bahrainis confirmed that they will not return to their homes, and that they are committed to the reasons they took to the street on February 14th 2011, despite the major sacrifices and a continued presence in the squares. Reporter, Male #2 Internationally, Amnesty International condemned the verdicts and described them as shameful, calling on al-Manama to annul them. As for Denmark, it objected to the decision to uphold the life sentence against rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, and called on the international community to deal firmly with the al-Manama regime over its failure to respect human rights. Reporter, Male #2 With that, the British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, expressed disappointment over the verdicts issued by the Bahraini regime. The Arab Network for Human Rights considered the verdicts a continuation of the arbitrary measures taken against the activists and regime opponents who took part in the Bahraini uprising and called for reforms. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060812?start=35 Bahrainis held marches across the country under the slogan "Friday of the right to self-determination," reports Al-Alam. They demanded the release of opposition leaders Nabeel Rajab, who was arrested for the second time, and Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:35:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060812 Palestinians, Beit El, Politics of Israel, Israeli outpost, Afghanistan, Israeli settlement, Israel, Bahrain Uprising, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Yemen Uprising Presenter, Male #1 Bahrain witnessed marches in different parts of the country under the banner "Friday of the right to self-determination." Participants demanded freedoms, and the release of the opposition's detained leaders, most notably the President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab, who was arrested for the second consecutive time, and Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Reporter, Male #2 "The 'Friday of the right to self-determination'" is the slogan under which the residents of Bahrain took to the street. They held marches that also called for the release of detainees held in the regime's prisons, most notably the President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, who was arrested by the regime for a second time, in addition to activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Reporter, Male #2 The marches launched from the capital al-Manama condemned the crackdown and arrest campaigns that are targeting both young and old, a policy the opposition views as retaliation that conveys the regime's failure in dealing with the popular revolution in the country. Reporter, Male #2 The rearrest of activist Nabeel Rajab led local and international human rights organizations to condemn and denounce his arrest. The al-Wefaq National Islamic Society viewed al-Rajab's detention as an escalation of the security option that the regime has adopted since the beginning of the revolution last year. The society confirmed the demand for the release of Rajab and the opposition's detained leaders is no longer an issue that only concerns the people of Bahrain, but has become an international demand. Reporter, Male #2 The European-Bahraini Organization for Human Rights demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Rajab, the dismissal of all charges against him, and an end to the targeting, and harassment of Hussain Jawad, the chairman of the European-Bahraini Organization for Human Rights. In addition, it called for an end to the targeting of activists demanding democracy and human rights defenders. In the same context, lawyer Shahzan al-Khamis said the regime in Bahrain continues to detain 11-year-old child Ali Hasan. Al-Khamis added that regime forces illegally extracted confessions from prisoner Hasan, and demanded his immediate release. Presenter, Male #1 The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies expressed concern over the increase in the number of violations against human rights defenders and their organizations in Arab countries, and particularly in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The institute confirmed in its fourth yearly report that attempts to sabotage the "Arab Spring" were often accompanied by large-scale repression in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The report referred to the crackdown human rights activists in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are subjected to, the use of force against peaceful protestors demanding freedom, and the release of detainees held in the regime's prisons. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-31-2012?start=2400 Two recently released political prisoners, Zainab Alkhawaja and Nabeel Rajab, both jailed for protesting the US-backed monarchy, have pledged to continue campaigning against human rights abuses in the country. Thu, 31 May 2012 10:59:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-31-2012 Reproductive rights, Assassination of George Tiller, United States, George Tiller, Reproductive health, Haiti, Nabeel Rajab, Bahrain Uprising, Abortion, Zainab Alkhawaja We go to Bahrain to speak with two recently released political prisoners, Zainab Alkhawaja and Nabeel Rajab, both jailed for protesting the U.S.-backed monarchy. Rajab, the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was released on bail after being held for nearly a month. "We always thought the American base here, the American-Bahraini good relation will benefit our fight for freedom and democracy in our region, but it turned out to be ... absolutely opposite," he says. "They are supporting the dictators here, the repressive regime. ... We are victims for being a rich region." Alkhawaja, who was jailed in April after protesting the detention of her father, Abdulhadi, vows: "We are going to carry on protesting. ... It doesn't matter if we get arrested five, six, 10 times. It's not going to stop, because in the end, we have sacrificed a lot for democracy and for freedom." We turn to the Gulf island kingdom of Bahrain, where the pro-democracy activist Zainab Alkhawaja has been released from prison after a month behind bars. She was jailed in April after protesting the detention of her father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Her release comes one day after he ended his more than three-month hunger strike. Abdulhadi's wife, Khadija Mousawi, said her imprisoned husband will keep fighting for democracy in Bahrain. I know that my husband will never stop protesting, by going on hunger strike or otherwise. I know that now he will be thinking, what's next? And very soon maybe we'll hear something else he's going to do. But he is not a quitter. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and seven other activists were sentenced to life in prison last year by a military-run court as part of government crackdowns on demonstrations calling for more democratic rule under the U.S.-backed regime. They're among a 21-member group whose cases are being reexamined by a civilian court. As Alkhawaja remains locked up, his colleague Nabeel Rajab was released on bail after being held for nearly a month. Rajab is the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. We're going now to Bahrain, where we're joined by Nabeel Rajab by Democracy Now! video stream, as well as by phone by Zainab Alkhawaja. We welcome you both to Democracy Now! Nabeel, let's begin with you. Talk about why you were imprisoned and what happened while you were there. In fact, according to the accusation, that they accused me of tweeting and insulting the security institution and calling for unpermitted gathering, and all about my freedom of expression, about my opinion, about my criticism to the action of the police, about my work on human right, about my activity as a human right defender, calling people to protest peacefully together, to march. And I think this comes as a punishment for my work in the past few years. And now, again, I'm released on bail temporarily 'til the verdict, which should be out anytime next month. And can you tell me, Zainab, what happened to you, why you were arrested, why you were held, and what happened to you in jail? Yeah, hi. This is the fifth time I'm arrested, actually. And even now, after I have been released, I don't know how many cases I have in court. At least three, and could be up to seven or eight cases. Every time they arrest me, it's not really for any good reason. They don't have any evidence against me. Usually they accuse me of participating in illegal gathering or verbally assaulting riot police, and these are usually what the court accuses me of. However, just like Nabeel Rajab and just like my father and many other activists, the reason is that they're trying to punish us, they're trying to silence us, for writing and documenting the abuses that are happening in the country. Talk about the Grand Prix, why you chose that moment to protest, Zainab? I think the Grand Prix really made many people upset in Bahrain, because we're going through a very difficult time, where people are being tortured, protesters are being killed and injured. And the government announced that the Formula One was going to be a celebration for all Bahrainis, at a time when we were suffering. And I think this really made many people upset, made many people go out protesting. And I'm one of those people who were very upset by what was happening. Nabeel Rajab, what about the role of the United States? The United States now speaks out against violence against people, for example, in Syria. But what about in Bahrain? Well, so far—so far, the American government played only negative role on Bahrain. We've seen double-standard foreign policy of United States. If you compare Bahrain and with Libya and Syria, we see hypocrisy. We see how they're selling arms to Bahrain at the time where they're killing their own people, and at the time they're asking the Russian not to sell arms to Syria or to Libya at that time. We always thought the American base here, the American-Bahraini good relation will benefit our fight for freedom and democracy in our region, but it turned out to be absolutely wrong. We turned out to be absolutely opposite. They are supporting the dictators here, the repressive regime. And they are not—I mean, when they speak also about the protests in Bahrain, they ask both party to stop violence, when we are protesting very peacefully. None of our people carry any arm. None of our people carry anything. So far, many people among our people were killed. At least 90 people so far were killed. At least thousands of people were wounded, where they will never go back to their life. At least thousands of people were detained or fired from work. But still, we made sure—we are very committed to peaceful struggle, because we believe we could change, we could have our democracy with peaceful change. But when you see American government talking, always they ask both party to stop violence. So they want to present us as a people using violence. We are very upset about United States' position with Bahrain. We are very upset about United States trying to hide the crimes and trying to hide the violation happening in all the Gulf country. Because the Gulf country are a rich region, because it's a big arm market, because it's a big oil exporter, we have to suffer for that. We are victims for being a rich region. We are a victim of being a region that have an interest with the United States. Unfortunately, the United States—and the West, as well, comes after United States—have ignored completely the crime what's happening here. They are calling for economic sanction here and there, against Russia, against Iran, against Libya, for the human right record, and they are ignoring all the crimes committed over here in Bahrain. Thanks God United States have channels like you, Democracy Now!, and many human right organizations that shows the other bright side of United States. [inaudible] United States government are building very bad image in here because of their support to dictators and repressive regimes. Zainab Alkhawaja, can you talk about the condition of your father, who went on a hunger strike of—how many days, ultimately? He just ended that strike. My father was on a hunger strike for 110 days. On the last day of his hunger strike, he was only 49 kilos. Now he is better. We have spoken to him. I spoke to him after I was released. He sounded much stronger, and he has gained already two kilos. And I'm very glad. We're all very glad that he decided to finally end his hunger strike. Have you been able to speak to him—were you able to speak to him when you, too, were in jail, as he was on his hunger strike? He was allowed to speak to me once when I was in jail, when I went on hunger strike for six days. To convince me to end my strike, they allowed me to have a call and speak to my father. On May 9th, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa in Washington. Zainab, I believe you were in jail. Your father was on hunger strike. The significance of this meeting? At the time, also solidified was the continuation of weapons to Bahrain from the United States. Yes. I mean, this is one thing that really upsets the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain. This is something that is really surprising and shocking, that a government like the American administration, that's called for democracy and for freedom, is showing so much support for dictators in our country. And, I mean, it's very ironic that while I was in prison, I read headlines in the newspaper saying that Bahrain, our country, is turning a new page, where activists have the freedom to speak and to move around. And at the same time, I'm in prison, my father is in prison, Nabeel Rajab is in prison, and all the prominent activists that I know were imprisoned or in hiding. So, really, and here on the ground in Bahrain, we're seeing all the crimes that are happening, all the violations that are happening. Nobody feels safe. Many people here have been arrested several times. And this is—in the end, it's not really about me or my father or Nabeel. This is about the hundreds of people who are suffering, the thousands of people who are suffering in Bahrain. And, I mean, while I have been released and Nabeel has been released, there are children in Bahraini prisons right now who have not. Ahmed Aoun, who is only 16 years old, is in prison right now. He is also injured. He was shot with birdshot in his eye. He is not—he has not been allowed to go for surgery. We are afraid that he might lose his eye while in prison. And he is only 16 years old. Mansour is another activist who was working in human rights and documenting violations. He is only a high school student, and he has also been imprisoned. The only time I spoke to him while he was in prison, he was telling me to please pray for him that he does not get taken back to the interrogation room, where he was beaten severely. And there are other people, you know, like Jaffar Salman, who lost both his eyes because of birdshot, who was sentenced to two years in prison in a trial that lasted less than 15 minutes, where he had no lawyer, where he had no family present. And he is still in that prison. And these people have become nameless and faceless. Nobody knows about them. Nobody speaks about them. And these are the people we really fear for. You know, we don't know what's going to happen to them, and we hope that some changes will happen. Until then, we are going to carry on protesting. We are going to carry on going out. It doesn't matter if we get arrested five, six, 10 times. It's not going to stop, because in the end, we have sacrificed a lot for democracy and for freedom. Nabeel, we have just 30 seconds. The day before the Crown Prince met with Hillary Clinton and she held a news conference, a Bahraini spokesperson said, "We are looking into the perpetrators and people who use print, broadcast [and] social media to encourage illegal protest and violence around the country. If applying the law means tougher action, then so be it." And the U.S. resumed military weapons. Are these weapons used against you, against the people of Bahrain? I mean, all people were killed by—at least half of the people were killed in Bahrain by tear gas made in United States. Here, the silence of United States are being seen as a green signal to go ahead with more repression, more violation. This is how the Bahrain government see it. Unfortunately, we ask you, we urge human rights groups to pressure the United States government to change its position in supporting dictators and repressive regime. Zainab and Nabeel, I want to thank you both for being with us. Nabeel Rajab is president of Bahrain's Center for Human Rights, just released Sunday, after days of interrogation and imprisonment, joining us from the capital of Manama. And thank you very much to Zainab Alkhawaja, who has also just been released. Her father has just ended his hunger strike after 110 days, but remains imprisoned. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-052312?start=977 A number of human rights activists spoke of international double standards at the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain, reports Press TV. Among them was Maryam Alkhawaja, daughter of activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-052312 Nuclear program of Iran, Israel, Iran, Saeed Jalili, P5+1, Baghdad, Yemen, Economy of Yemen, Egyptian presidential election, 2012, Politics of Israel Human rights activists say the mechanisms of the United Nations Human Rights Council for redress are selective and are failing the citizens of countries in need of it. At the Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain, the activists said it is simply becoming too hard for them to watch other countries receive the attention that Bahrain desperately needs. Nada Dhaif of BRAVO Medics and Maryam al-Khawaja, daughter of hunger striking activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, highlight the UNHRC's intervention in other countries because of international pressure, but points out that there isn't consistent international condemnation of the human rights violations in Bahrain, including abduction from hospitals. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-hundreds-of-thousands-march-against-bahraini-saudi-union?start=0 Hundreds of thousands of protestors marched through Manama, along Budaiya highway, to voice their anger over the proposed union with the neighboring state of Saudi Arabia. The protest has been estimated to be exceeding 300,000 participants. Fri, 18 May 2012 15:25:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-hundreds-of-thousands-march-against-bahraini-saudi-union Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Protest, Bahrain Uprising, Al Wefaq, Manama, Budaiya, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through Manama, along Budaiya highway, to voice their anger over the proposed union with the neighboring state of Saudi Arabia. The protest has been estimated to be exceeding 300,000 participants, nearing the record-breaking rally of March 9. Protesters waved Bahraini flags and carried banners that read phrases stressing self-determination, human rights, and political reforms. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-051612?start=204 Bahraini revolutionaries shut down more than 60 vital roads after an eventful night of protests against Riyadh's attempts to annex Bahrain into Saudi Arabia and in protest of the continuing arrests of women, reports Al-Alam. Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-051612 Nuclear program of Iran, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Iran, Israel, United States, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear weapon, Palestinian National Authority, Bahrain Uprising Reporter, Female #1 Bahraini revolutionaries shut down more than 60 vital roads all at once this morning, after an eventful night of protests against Riyadh's attempts to annex Bahrain into Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the February 14 Youth Coalition called for marches in all villages and cities to express loyalty to the revolutionary leaders detained in the regime's prisons. Reporter, Male #1 With the slogan "Dignity of the free people", the Bahraini revolutionaries organized a surprise event this morning and shut down over 60 vital roads all at once. In protest of the continuing arrests of women, they closed down the roads leading to the capital, al-Manama, and the Bahraini International Airport, as well as the access bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The revolutionaries also blocked the street where the palace of Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman is located, while thick smoke covered al-Safriya Palace of King Hamad bin Isa. Reporter, Male #1 With the slogan "Our martyrs are our giants", marches broke out across Bahrain, in which protestors expressed loyalty to the martyrs and affirmed they will carry on in their path. In response to the proposal of incorporating Bahrain into Saudi Arabia, the protestors chanted slogans rejecting this Saudi plan. They consider such a decision to be a violation of the people's will, which alone bears the right to determine their fate. Reporter, Male #1 The regime forces, with its poisonous gas and deadly ammunition, continued to repress the peaceful marches and assault residents who came out in the marches. The regime's militia and Special Forces demolished a number of houses this morning and arrested many citizens, most prominently the journalist Ahmed Radhi, after breaking into his house. Reporter, Male #1 In its latest report, Human Rights Watch demanded the Bahraini authorities to release human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, asserting that the regime's accusations are politically motivated. The organization said it wrote to the Bahraini Attorney General on May 9th, asking him to investigate into the Interior Ministry's complaints about the Nabeel Rajab case, but received no response. Presenter, Female #1 Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab insisted in court today that the charges against him were fabricated. Witnesses at the court said that Rajab, who heads the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, has only exercised his freedom of speech, and committed no crime. They asserted that the accusations directed at him are vindictive due to his human rights activism. The Bahraini Attorney General has charged Rajab with insulting security forces. Rajab is also facing two other charges of taking part in mass demonstrations and inciting the public. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-040612?start=504 Massive demonstrations were held in the areas of A'li and Jadhafs west of the Bahraini capital Manama in solidarity with rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, reports Al-Alam. The demonstrators said they would hold the Bahraini regime responsible for his death. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-040612 Israel, Passover, West Bank, Palestinians, Eilat, Turkey, Jerusalem, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Azaouad, Syrian Civil War Presenter, Male #1 Massive demonstrations were held in the areas of A'li and Jadhafs west of the Bahraini capital, al-Manama, in solidarity with rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The demonstrators said they would hold the regime responsible for his death. The peaceful demonstrations were led by scholars, community leaders, and political figures. The participants called on the international community, notably the US, Britain, and countries that offer political support for al-Manama's regime, to take responsible action in Bahrain. Thousands of demonstrators held al-Khawaja's pictures and banners with his famous phrase "freedom or martyrdom." Similar demonstrations were also launched in al-Nuwaidrat and al-Sanabis and other villages on Sitra Island. Meanwhile, massive demonstrations were held on Sitra Island to express solidarity with al-Khawaja and to demand his release. Presenter, Male #1 Bahrainis held a funeral procession for martyr Khadijah Mohamed Ali Abbas, who died of poisonous tear gas inhalation. Meanwhile, Mohamed al-Jishi, the lawyer of detained rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, said his client had been transported to a military hospital due to his deteriorating health. Reporter, Male #2 With these slogans, Bahrainis took to the streets in a massive demonstration to mourn the death of martyr Khadijah Mohamed Ali Abbas, who was killed by poisonous tear gas fired by regime forces at residential neighborhoods in the town of al-Ma'amir. Amid these chants and the massive participation of residents, the martyr was laid to rest in the town cemetery. This news comes as the health of detained Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for nearly two months, continues to deteriorate. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights held al-Manama authorities directly responsible for any harm caused to al-Khawaja, and urged international and rights organizations to mount pressure on the regime to release him and all prisoners of opinion, as recommended by the Bassiouni Commission. Guest, Male #3 (Yousef al-Rabii, Director of Bahrain Center for Human Rights) The parties responsible for the murder of this prominent rights activist are the Bahraini king, the prime minister, as well as the minister of the interior. This is premeditated murder. Reporter, Male #2 The Bahraini opposition, most notably al-Wefaq Society, called for organizing angry demonstrations across various cities and towns in solidarity with al-Khawaja in a bid to save his life. In the town of Sar, regime forces stormed a residential home, fired tear gas, and stabbed family members. Several occupants were injured due to gas inhalation and serious stab wounds. In addition, a campaign of raids and arrests was launched across various regions. In the latest incident, Zainab al-Khawaja, the daughter of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, was detained following her participation in a women's sit-in demanding the release of all prisoners. With these slogans, the residents held demonstrations in solidarity with al-Khawaja, demanding his release and the release of all prisoners. Regime forces fired tear gas and live bullets at the demonstrations in an attempt to disperse the crowd, injuring dozens of protestors who inhaled the gas. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-020112?start=327 <p>Islamists clash with anti-military protesters in Egypt, Kuwait marred by violence on election eve, Pakistan rejects NATO report on links to Afghan Taliban, and more.</p> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-020112 Benjamin Netanyahu, Hunger strike, Ban Ki-moon, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Palestinians, Muslim Brotherhood, Egyptian Parliamentary Election 2011-2012, Football in Egypt, Bahrain Uprising, Iranian Revolution In Bahrain, jailed anti-regime protestors are still on a hunger strike after three days. The top Interior Minstry officials said some 100 jailed activists are on strike. But the Bahrain Center for Human Rights has put the number at 250. The prisoners began and one week hunger strike on Suday in protest of the ongoing suppression of anti-regime protestors. Bahrain is in the midst of a revolution that started in mid-February of last year. Regime forces have killed scores of people and arrested hundreds more in crackdowns on peaceful protests. A report by an independent inquiry last year said the regime has systematically tortured and detained protestors and has used extensive force against demonstrators. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-011212?start=718 <p>Timing questioned in release of video showing US Marines urinating on dead insurgents, Israel's siege on Gaza causes rise in child labor, Pakistan's Zardari heads to Dubai wedding amid fears of military coup, and more.</p> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-011212 Protest, Israel, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bahrain, Racism, Civilian casualties, Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, Egypt Presenter, Female #1 Demonstrations broke out across various regions of Bahrain on a special day dubbed "loyalty for the symbols of the revolution's leaders and prisoners." Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for achieving justice and accountability in Bahrain, citing human rights violations in the country. Reporter, Male #1 The Bahraini villages of Diraz, Bani Jamrah, and Sar continue to witness demonstrations day and night. Bahraini sources reported that security forces attacked the demonstrators, inflicting causalities among them. Guest, Male #2 (Nabil Rajab, Head of Bahrain Center for Human Rights) We, along with all youths in the street, are fighting for the people's rights and for a better future. This is everyone's responsibility. We must continue the protests. Our people are enduring repression, oppression, and injustice. Continuing the struggle is the only way to end the injustice. Reporter, Male #1 Various Bahraini regions, including Deir, Maamir, Sitra Island, Karzakan, Bani Jamrah, Karama, and Dumistan witnessed nighttime demonstrations. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding the downfall of the regime, and vowed to continue their mobilization until all of their popular demands are achieved. The demand for the release of prisoners, most notably detained leaders, has become a daily slogan of the demonstrators. News emerging from Bahraini prisons confirms that the detainees' health conditions continue to deteriorate, after being denied medical treatment, just like the case of Sheikh Hasan Mushaima. Rights and political activists criticized the authority's media attack on Bahraini Member of Parliament Osama al-Tamimi, who accused the ruling family of stealing half of the country's land. Al-Tamimi said that the al-Kahlifa family has stolen fifty percent of Bahrain's land and they treat people like slaves. Guest, Male #3 (Osama Al Tamimi, Bahraini MP) Fifty percent of Bahrain has been stolen by the ruling family. We are being treated like salves. Reporter, Male #1 The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for achieving justice and accountability in Bahrain. The head of the Arab division at the high commissioner's office, Faraj Fneish, said the situation in Bahrain has not changed since the launch of the uprising, and stressed the importance of achieving accountability in the country. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and EU parliamentarians in Brussels called on the Bahraini government to immediately release opposition and rights activist Abed Hadi Khawaja, who was sentenced to life along with six others by a military court. They say the verdict was "staged" and the charges were "fabricated." http://news.linktv.org/videos/bahrain-commission-investigates-human-rights-abuses?start=0 In June, following months of protests, Bahrain's King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, appointed a commission to find out whether his security forces committed crimes or violated human rights. Reporting from Manama, Al Jazeera's Mohammed Vall looks at the six internationally renowned foreign legal experts who comprise the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:38:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/bahrain-commission-investigates-human-rights-abuses Bahrain, Human rights, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Uprising, Manama, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Al Wefaq, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English In June, following months of protests, Bahrain's King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, appointed a commission to find out whether his security forces committed crimes or violated human rights. Reporting from Manama, Al Jazeera's Mohammed Vall looks at the six internationally renowned foreign legal experts who comprise the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100711?start=910 <p>Palestinians launch "Spring of Negev" protests against Israeli plan to uproot Bedouins, eight Syrians killed on "Friday of National Council," Bahraini police show no mercy to protestors mourning boy's death, and more.</p> Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100711 Egypt, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Cairo, Protest, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Yemen Uprising, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Libya Presenter, Female #1 Tens of thousands of Bahrainis held a funeral for a young martyr, 16-year-old Ahmed Jabir al-Qattan, who was martyred by the gunfire of the regime's security forces. Political leaders, activists, and religious scholars participated in the funeral's ceremony which turned into an angry protest condemning the regime's repressive measures as military helicopters hovered over the city. Reporter, Male #1 Violence still dominates the Bahraini scene. The use of violence initiated by Saudi-backed Bahraini security forces killed a new martyr, 16-year-old young man Ahmed Jabir al-Qattan. He passed away after being shot by fissile bullets, which are internationally banned, during a demonstration in the town of Shakura. The February 14 Coalition announced the postponement of the ninth "self-determination" protest scheduled to take place on Friday in the town of Nuwaidrat. The Coalition called on the revolutionary public to take part en masse in the funeral of the martyr Ahmed al-Qattan. Regions of Karzakan and al-Dair witnessed marches during which participants chanted slogans demanding an end to the repression and arbitrary rulings issued by the military court against protestors. Similar demonstrations also occurred in the Barbar and Safala regions on Sitra Island demanding an end to the crackdown, trials, and arbitrary rulings, and that Saudi occupation forces leave the country. Protestors also affirmed their insistence on continuing to protest until their legitimate demands are fully met, especially their demand for an elected government. Meanwhile, the regime's forces backed by Saudi Arabia quelled another rally in the Nabih Saleh region. The town of Ma'ameer also witnessed a women's march in solidarity with the prisoners and affirming to continue the protests. The Bahraini regime's security forces opened fire on women protesting in the Tubli region and used tear-gas against the protestors. Presenter, Female #1 Meanwhile, a number of Bahraini cities and villages witnessed angry demonstrations after hearing the news of young Ahmed al-Qattan's martyrdom. In the Abu Saida region, residents took to the streets in a protest to challenge the regime's security forces that attempted in vain to disperse the protest by using tear-gas extensively. In addition, the regions of Shakura and al-Qadam witnessed similar protests during which protestors threw stones at the security forces, which responded with a barrage of tear-gas and live bullets. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091911?start=984 <p>Yemen's revolutionary forces urge an end to the 'carnage of peaceful protestors,' Libya's opposition forces hit by fierce resistance in Bani Walid and Sirte, and Abbas admits 'difficult times' await Palestinians after the Palestinian Authority's statehood bid.</p> Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091911 Palestinian state, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian National Authority, Palestinians, Syrian Civil War, Yemen Uprising, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Muslim Brotherhood, South Sudan, Bahrain And not to Bahrain, where Saudi-backed forces have charged thousands of protestors on the streets calling for the downfall of the regime. Government troops fired teargas to break up the protests. There are also reports that live rounds have been fired as well. The clashes happened in the eastern oil-rich region of Sitra. Protestors have been taking to the streets on a daily basis trying to bring down the ruling monarchy. The revolution in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom began in mid-February. Since then, dozens of protestors have been killed and hundreds more injured. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091611?start=692 <p>Protestors in Jordan demand 'downfall of the Wadi Araba peace treaty,' Syrian activists vow to continue until the regime is brought down, thousands of Iraqis decry government corruption and poor public services, and more.</p> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-091611 Friday prayers, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Yemen Uprising, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian National Authority The latest now from Bahrain, we are just getting in this breaking news. Another Bahraini protestor has been killed after inhaling tear gas. In Bahrain, tens of thousands of anti-regime protestors around the capital Manama are holding mass funerals for an anti-regime protestor who was killed on Wednesday. People from all walks of life have come out to the streets right after Friday prayers to take part in the funeral processions. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082911?start=452 <p>Killings and defections continue in Syria as a fragmented Transitional Council is formed in Turkey, Bahraini opposition rejects the king's speech, Libyan revolutionaries mass for assault on Sirte, and more.</p> Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082911 Israel, Middle East Peace Process, Palestinians, Catherine Ashton, Palestinian state, Palestinian National Authority, Civilian casualties, European Union, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Syrian Civil War Presenter, Female # 1 King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa's speech was viewed by the Bahraini opposition as an attempt to countermand popular demands. The opposition believes the king's maneuver is being carried out by repeatedly talking about a dialogue. This comes as the Bahraini king acknowledged that detainees in his regime's prisons are subjected to ill-treatment. Guest, Male # 1 (Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain) There are those who got arrested and investigations proved that they were the victims of individual behavior and were ill-treated in custody. Reporter, Male # 2 In his speech, the Bahraini king attempted to pacify the popular mobilization and reduce the street's anger but it seems the attempt was unsuccessful. Bahrainis say the speech ignored popular demands for justice and citizens' rights. Despite the king's call for forgiveness, building bridges of brotherhood, and his recognition that detainees in his regime's prisons were subjected to ill-treatment, he disregarded the dozens of martyrs who have fallen in the last few months. They died in the crackdown, the result of tyranny carried out by the king's security forces with the backing of Saudi occupation forces. Guest, Male # 3 (Qassem al-Hashimi, Member of Society for Supporting Bahraini People) The authorities are responsible for this escalation, the killings, and the targeting. Brother, the king didn't mention the martyrs. He talked about some cases because these cases are impossible to hide. Reporter, Male # 2 Despite the Manama government's admission of its mistakes, there is no indication that it regrets its actions or that it will take action to regain the trust of the Bahraini street. The authorities' crackdown on peaceful protests continues and demonstrators are dispersed across the country with the use of a wide variety of weapons and tear gas. Bahrainis say the authorities have adopted methods and techniques meant to trick and deceive the people. The first were the crackdowns, oppressive methods, and dismissal of employees. The latest and probably not the last is the so-called dialogue initiative, which marginalized an entire sect. And with that, the government lost its legitimacy, according to the protestors. Guest, Male # 4 (Abbas Omran, Bahrain Center for Human Rights) The government has completely lost its legitimacy. It has no popular support. It gave its forces orders to commit crimes against humanity. It brought in Saudi forces, killed civilians and demolished mosques. It also committed many other crimes. Reporter, Male # 2 The authorities adopted different means to end the popular protests. At times, they used harsh methods and violence, and at other times they made speeches and vibrant promises. However, Bahrainis have decided their fate and spoken their mind. They confirm they will not abandon the street and the peaceful protests until all their demands are met. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-081811?start=1078 <p>Israel pounds Gaza in retaliation for unclaimed attacks on Eilat, more opposition groups plan to boycott Bahrain's parliamentary elections, Libyan opposition fears bloodbath as rebels claim Tripoli advance, and more.</p> Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-081811 Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Eilat, Israel Defense Forces, Protest, Shooting, Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian Revolution, Libya Presenter, Male # 1 Supporters of Bahrain's February 14 Revolution called for a mass demonstration in the village of Krana to confirm their right to self-determination and to force the regime to meet the people's demands. Reporter, Male # 2 It seems the Manama government's policies, enacted in response to the popular mobilization in Bahrain, have deepened the division between the two sides and increased the government's isolation. An isolation made clear everyday as major political groups in the country are boycotting the parliamentary elections. These supplementary elections are set to be held in September to fill the seats of opposition ministers who resigned. After al-Wefaq Islamic Society, the National Democratic Action, al-Menbar, the Democratic National Rally announced their boycott of the elections, the Nationalist Democratic Rally confirmed its boycott of the elections as well. The society said the elections come amid difficult political and social conditions after the imposed state of emergency led to the arrest of hundreds and the dismissals of thousands of employees for their participation in peaceful demonstrations. For its part, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights expressed concern over the involvement of members of the ruling Khalifa family in the torture of protestors. The center received testimonies of detainees who reported about their torture by members of the ruling family. The Islamic Action Party called on the families of martyrs, detainees, and fired workers, to protest in front of the fact-finding committee in solidarity with all those oppressed and to demand the release of detainees. The hardship of many Bahrainis is not limited to physical torture and arrests; they are also at risk of losing their livelihood. Bahraini newspaper al-Wasat reported on the employees who were fired from a bank with no real reason justifying their termination. The reason for the dismissals is said to have been their unacceptable behavior and conduct. Meanwhile, night marches and peaceful demonstrations continue across different towns and villages, starting with the island of Sitra, and reaching Sar, Kura, and al-Diraz, southern al-Sahla, Ma'ameer, and the list goes on. Residents across all age groups took to the streets to confirm their commitment to their just demands of reform and change. In addition, they condemned the government's policies and demanded the release of the detainees and the downfall of the regime. And even though the protests have been peaceful, they have been met with violence by the security forces that have used a wide range of weapons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062011-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=235 Doctors Without Borders alleges that Bahraini forces tortured injured demonstrators in hospitals, based on testimonies by the organization's volunteers and interviews with patients. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062011-world-news-from-the-middle-east Libya, Arab Spring, Protest, Iraq, Tunisia, Syria, Political reform, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Bahrain, Bashar al-Assad Presenter, Male # 1 The British newspaper, the Independent reported that the humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders, alleged that Bahraini forces tortured injured demonstrators in hospitals. The newspaper based its report, entitled "Bahraini leadership faces new claims that torture took place in hospital," on the organization's documentations and meetings with the injured. Reporter, Male # 2 Doctors Without Borders volunteers released a report on Bahrain's Sulaimaniya hospital, where injured demonstrators were tortured. The volunteers documented the torture methods used against those who were injured in the popular peaceful protests. The Bahraini leadership is facing new claims of having committed torture inside hospitals, as reported by the Independent newspaper, citing Doctors Without Borders. Meanwhile, 20 Bahraini doctors are being prosecuted for disrupting public order after merely having treated injured demonstrators. Based on testimonies by the organization's volunteers and interviews with patients, the report confirms that Bahraini security forces tortured the hospital's injured demonstrators. Bahrain's protest movement was launched in February. The head of Doctors without Borders' mission in Bahrain, Jonathan Whittall, was quoted saying that Bahraini forces carried out constant torture in the Sulaimaniya medical complex in the capital Manama. He confirmed that security forces took control of the hospital after tanks moved outside and set up checkpoints for anyone entering or leaving the hospital. According to Whittall's testimony, all those wounded with injuries that could have been sustained during the peaceful protests were taken to the hospital's sixth floor where they were severely beaten everyday. Guest, Male # 3 (Abbas Al-Omran, Bahrain Center for Human Rights) The Bahraini authorities militarily controlled Sulaimaniya hospital. They would investigate one doctor after the next inside the hospital. They set up an investigation room inside the hospital where many doctors were taken. When doctors treated the injured, they saw the traces of the crimes committed by the regime against the protestors. Reporter, Male # 2 Whittall, who was in Sulaimaniya hospital at the time, says the hospital has become a terrifying place that is feared by the people. He confirmed the claim after having witnessed the security forces' treatment of a patient who was trying to leave the hospital but was beaten and then detained and tortured. The report by Doctors Without Borders affirms that many patients were tortured even though there was no evidence that they led the demonstrations or committed violent acts during the protests. The organization ended its report by saying the situation escalated to the point where people didn't dare go to the hospital even if they needed medical aid. It confirmed that many of the injured disappeared from the hospital, only to reappear days later with more serious injuries. http://news.linktv.org/videos/obama-meets-bahraini-crown-prince?start=0 Amid an intensifying crackdown on anti-government protesters in Bahrain, President Obama had a meeting Tuesday with Crown Prince Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:42:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/obama-meets-bahraini-crown-prince Bahrain, Barack Obama, Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, Nabeel Rajab, Bahrain Uprising, Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Human rights, Arab Spring, Democracy Now!, Crown prince Amid an intensifying crackdown on anti-government protesters in the tiny Gulf island Kingdom of Bahrain, President Obama met Tuesday with Crown Prince Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, a visit that was not announced beforehand. Democracy Now! interviews Nabeel Rajab, president of Bahrain's Center for Human Rights, based in Manama. "We do not see anything that makes us optimistic that the government has the willingness to go for a dialogue with the opposition and to listen to the grievances and demands of the people," says Rajab, noting that soldiers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain continue to arrest protesters and the doctors treating those injured during pro-democracy demonstrations.