Akbar Ahmed on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, "Bahrain: Small Country, Big Ally"

Akbar Ahmed on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, "Bahrain: Small Country, Big Ally":

“More than 35 years after the rise of the Lebanese left...

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“More than 35 years after the rise of the Lebanese left and the start of the civil war, people across Syria have risen up against decades of oppressive Baath party rule in their own country. Since demonstrations began in March, rights groups estimate that security forces have killed more than 1,000 protesters, and rights abuses are believed to be widespread.   

President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime have drawn global condemnation for the brutal crackdown on demonstrators. However, Beirut-based activists, many who have worked together against issues like sectarianism and in support of Palestinian and other Arab revolts, now find themselves split over their positions on the protests in Syria.”

Lies (Explored) by heshaaam on Flickr.

“

“Poor, innocent, Asian expats” is how they are now described. But just a few months ago there was little concern at a national level about the abuse of migrant workers. They represent 54% of Bahrain’s resident population, and as in the neighbouring Gulf monarchies, they constitute the bulk of the workforce. Most are from south Asia, and they are arguably the most marginalised community in the country.

Now their welfare has suddenly become a matter of concern for the regime and its apologists. After the start of the crackdown, the foreign minister scurried between the different expatriate community clubs and embassies, hailing the “strong relations bonding” them to the kingdom of Bahrain. Local state-run television suddenly started broadcasting news bulletins in Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog.

”

- via Spare us Bahrain’s sudden ‘concern’ for its Asian expat workers

Lies (Explored) by heshaaam on Flickr.

[Independent] Kate Allen: A warped response to calls for democracy

Love you, guys!! XD

If you wanna see it again, go HERE. :)

Biggest rally in Bahrain since March calls for Shia-Sunni unity in the opposition camp

Bahrain Opposition Rally Draws Thousands:  ”We call for the crown prince to lead these talks … to pull this country out of the bottle neck which it is stuck in.”

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KUWAIT, June 11 (Reuters) - Kuwait has arrested a Kuwaiti Shi’ite Muslim man for publishing criticism of the ruling families in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on social media site Twitter, a security source said on Saturday.

Nasser Abul was arrested on Thursday and no charges have been pressed against him so far, the source said. He gave no details.

Democracy activists have used social media to debate, organise and share information in Bahrain where the government crushed a protest movement in March after inviting Saudi and United Arab Emirates forces to help restore order.

Bahrain questioned a rights activist in April for publishing an image which appeared to show signs of torture on a man who died in detention during the unrest. It is not clear if the case will be brought to court.

A Bahraini journalist said last month he was questioned about his Twitter postings during two hours of detention.

Gulf Arab governments, run by closely-allied ruling families, are trying to stop protest movements that brought down Egyptian and Tunisian leaders this year taking off in their patch.

They fear democracy movements could allow Shi’ite power Iran to gain influence. Bahrain has a Shi’ite majority and Kuwait and other Gulf countries have Shi’ite minorities. (Reporting by Eman Goma; writing by Andrew Hammond)

Rally in Bahrain today.

[Independent] Detained poet 'beaten across the face with electric cable'[Independent] Kate Allen: A warped response to calls for democracy