Bahrain Freedom Movement
Saudis have been widely condemned for carrying out one of the largest mass executions in modern history, second only to ISIS massacres. On 3rd January they killed 47 people including Sheikh Nimr AlNimr, the prominent cleric who had called for reforming the hereditary tribal dictatorships of AlSaud and Alkhalifa. Some of those executed were beheaded; others crucified. This barbaric crime has shocked the world. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said he was “deeply dismayed” about the executions. Human rights groups strongly criticized Saudi Arabia’s judicial process and protesters gathered outside Saudi embassies. Amnesty International accused the Saudis of “settling political accounts”. The international human rights group Reprieve said the UK “must not turn a blind eye to such atrocities and must urgently appeal to the kingdom to change course”. The leading human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the UK Government’s stance on Saudi Arabia was “completely immoral”. “That’s the kind of regime we’re fawning to, we’re treating as a friend an ally, we’re bending over backwards and the government’s response to this has been totally inadequate – it is very disturbing.” On the execution of Sheikh Nimr AlNimr, Green party leader Natalie Bennett said: “This is a peaceful democracy campaigner who has just been executed. Among the victims were four Shia Muslim young men who had participated in anti-regime protests in the past four years.
Mishaal al-Farraj (R), Mustafa Abkar (C) and Abdulaziz al-Toaili’e (R) were executed by Saudi Arabia. One prisoner arrested at 13 and others apparently suffering mental illness were among 47 executed in Saudi Arabia – (Image credit: Middle East Eye)
There were furious reactions to the Saudi crime. Protesters stormed their embassy in Tehran, causing an immediate reaction from Riyadh which announced severing the ties with Iran. The Saudis apparently failed to convince other members of the GCC to follow suit. Only the Alkhalifa dictators of Bahrain announced a similar step which was ridiculed by observers who saw it as further evidence of enslavement of Alkhalifa by the Saudis who had rescued them from the pro-democracy protests almost five years ago. Many analysts agree that Riyadh wanted to shift the attention away from its disastrous adventure in Yemen which has led to humiliating defeat. Bahrainis poured into the streets to condemn the Saudi crime and called for action by the international community to force Saudi Arabia to stop its barbaric beheadings and executions.
There is widespread discontent among Saudi nationals following the decision to increase the cost of basic necessities. Petrol pumps increased the prices of the fuel by up to 67 percent, while electricity went up by up to 50 percent. The prices of water, gas and other consumer commodities such as meat jumped by up to 100 percent in the past two years. Meat increased from 650 to 1700 SR per whole lamb over four years.
Meanwhile in Bahrain the regime’s aggression against native citizens has intensified as the people challenged the tribal rule and insisted on gaining their natural rights of freedom, political participation and self-determination. The people called for preserving the dwindling economy and stopping the dictator’s hopeless childish adventures. These calls followed the severe downturn of the regime’s military achievements in Yemen. In the past week alone at least three members of the Alkhalifa aggressors were killed in Yemen. One day later a Bahraini F16 was shot down by the Yemeni armed forces, sending shock waves to the hearts of Saudi and Alkhalifa dictators. Protesters called for an immediate withdrawal of Bahraini troops from the Yemen conflict. Saudis and Alkhalifa are engaged in flagrant aggression that has now backfired against them, but people pay the price.
On 30th December Alkhalifa courts sentenced 29 native Bahrainis to jail sentences ranging between 5 and 25 years for taking part in anti-regime protests. Two of the victims also had their nationality revoked. Political prisoners have been subjected to more ill-treatment. Abd Ali Al Singace (brother of Dr Abdul Jalil AlSingace, one of the Bahrain 13) has been transferred to solitary confinement for calling to improve the dismal jail conditions. He was reported to have carried a placard informing the Alkhalifa dictator: There is no just judiciary”. It is now known that Jaw prison where AlSingace is being held is infested with serious illnesses. Inmates at Building No 10 of the prison have also protested against the inhumane conditions in which they are held. Jordanian troops have repeatedly attacked native Bahraini prisoners in revenge for the successive moral, political and military defeats of the Alkhalifa tribal rule.
The prominent Bahraini volleyball player, Ahmad Abbas, from Duraz Town has received additional term jail to the 10 years he had received earlier. He has now been given life sentence and has had his citizenship revoked for challenging Alkhalifa tribal rule. He has played for regional and local clubs for the past five years.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
6th January 2016
(info@vob.org , www.vob.org)
Source:via voiceofbahrain.org