I know it has been a while, but since I took the time to find these morsels in my Boston Globe:
"Bahrain court upholds life sentences for activists; Decision on dissidents may intensify clashes" by Reem Khalifa |
Associated Press, September 05, 2012
MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain court Tuesday upheld jail sentences
against 20 opposition figures convicted of plotting to overthrow the
Western-allied government, including eight prominent activists facing
life in prison.
The decision is likely to deepen the nearly 19-month-long crisis
between Bahrain’s Sunni rulers and Shi’ite-led protesters demanding a
greater political voice in the strategic Gulf kingdom, which is home to
the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The group on trial includes some of the most high-profile leaders.
Among the eight sentenced to life is rights activist Abdulhadi
al-Khawaja, who staged a 110-day hunger strike earlier this year in
protest. The other 12 have lesser prison terms, ranging from five to 15
years, with seven of them convicted in absentia.
The decision also could intensify street clashes that have occurred
nearly nonstop since the Arab Spring-inspired uprising began in February
2011. More than 50 people have been killed in Bahrain’s unrest.
Hours after the court announcement, riot police outside the capital,
Manama, fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters. Some demonstrators
threw firebombs at security forces....
The activists
have previously said they suffered beatings and other abuses behind
bars.
International rights groups have pressed Bahrain to free the group as
a sign of outreach to opposition factions, alongside efforts to ease
criticism about the government’s political crackdowns from key allies
such as the United States.
Related: US resumes arms sales to Bahrain. Activists feel abandoned
Not pre$$uring them very hard, are we?
Khawaja, who also has Danish citizenship, has been the focus of efforts by Denmark to secure his release.
Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal of Denmark called the decision to
uphold the life sentence ‘‘very disappointing’’ and said he would
discuss possible further international action from ‘‘the very broad
range of countries that in the spring supported Denmark in the demand
for the release of al-Khawaja and the other human rights and democracy
fighters in Bahrain.’’
‘‘It is important that the international community maintains that
Bahrain must respect fundamental human rights,’’ he said. ‘‘This
includes not least the freedom of speech and assembly.’’
A government statement said the court ‘‘provided all assurances of a
fair trial’’ and allowed defense attorneys full access to the
defendants.
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"Bahrain activist given 3 years in jail" Associated Press, August 17, 2012
MANAMA, Bahrain — A prominent Bahraini human rights activist was
convicted Thursday of instigating and participating in several
antigovernment rallies inspired by Arab Spring uprisings across the
region and was sentenced to three years in jail.
The unexpectedly harsh sentence against Nabeel Rajab will probably
raise questions about the Western-backed Sunni monarchy’s commitment to
reform and embolden antigovernment protesters who have been
demonstrating for the past 18 months, calling for greater rights in this
Persian Gulf island kingdom that is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The monarchy considers most antigovernment rallies illegal gatherings punishable by law.
Rajab, who is already serving a three-month sentence for posting
antigovernment comments on Twitter, was in court for the verdict. He is
president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights....
Bahrain has experienced near-daily protests since February 2011. At least 50 people have died in the unrest and hundreds have been detained.
--more--"
Related: Bahrain agrees to most UN rights recommendations
That must have made everything all right because the Globe has been fasting ever since.
UPDATES: Bahraini human rights activist sentenced to two years in prison
"Bahrain court upholds life terms for opposition figures" Associated Press, January 08, 2013
MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain’s highest court Monday upheld jail terms for 20 opposition figures — including eight sentenced to life — for alleged plots to ‘‘overthrow’’ the state. The decision is likely to touch off more protests in the Gulf nation and renew criticism from its Western allies.
If they have I haven't seen them in my Globe, and I can't say it surprises me anymore.
The group includes a rights activist who staged a 110-day hunger strike last year to protest the verdicts, which critics have denounced as part of attempts to crush an Arab Spring-inspired uprising that began nearly two years ago in the strategic island kingdom.
Authorities in Bahrain — which is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet — accuse Iran of encouraging the Shi’ite-led protests as a way to undermine Bahrain’s pro-Western leadership and gain a key foothold on the doorstep of rival Saudi Arabia.
Tehran has sharply criticized Bahrain’s crackdowns but denies it has any direct role with the opposition.
I'm so sick of the inferred and implied war propaganda I can't even comment anymore.
Bahrain’s majority Shi’ites, who have led sporadic unrest in past decades, say they face systematic discrimination at the hands of the Sunni monarchy.
And the U.S. isn't out there bellyaching about human rights?
Oh, right, the Fifth Fleet.
Bahrain’s rulers have offered some reforms, including giving more powers to the elected Parliament, but protest leaders say they fall short of demands for a role in key government affairs.
More than 55 people have died in the unrest since February 2011 and many opposition leaders and activists have been arrested, including the group of 20 charged with ‘‘plotting to overthrow’’ the ruling system by leading the protests.
Defense lawyer Jalil al-Aradi said the high court refused to reconsider the sentences or convictions.
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