Al-Khalifa despots rule
Bahrain repressively. Bahrainis want democratic change. In summer 2010,
sporadic protests began. In mid-February last year, major ones erupted.
They continue daily nonviolently. Courageous Bahrainis brave vicious
security force attacks. Saudi troops are involved. In March 2011, they
entered Bahrain guns blazing.
They remain. They're terrorizing Bahraini men, women, children, doctors,
other medical professionals, journalists, human rights activists, and
foreign observers. So do state police.
They're beating them, arresting them, torturing them, imprisoning them,
and killing them. No matter. Let the race begin.
On April 13, Formula One's (F1) governing body announced Bahrain's Grand
Prix will go ahead as planned, saying:
"Based on the current information the FIA has at this stage, it is satisfied
that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of
a Formula One World Championship event in Bahrain."
“Therefore, the FIA confirms that the 2012 Gulf Air F1 Grand Prix of
Bahrain will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, April 22."
In protest, Bahraini youths promised "three days of rage" from April
20 - 22. In 2011, they and human rights activists got F1's race cancelled.
It's governing body did the right thing. This year, president/CEO Bernie
Ecclestone claims all's well. We're coming, saying:
"I know people who live there, and it's all quiet and peaceful." At
age 81, perhaps senility replaced reason. Money always matters most.
Bahrain's 2010 F1 Grand Prix drew 100,000 visitors and grossed half
a billion dollars.
The Al-Khalifa monarchy wants it this year for reasons besides revenue.
It's seen as a way to improve Bahrain's image and create an illusion
of normalcy despite daily state-sponsored terror against peaceful protesters.
Amnesty International (AI) highlighted "flawed reforms," saying:
"With the world's eyes on Bahrain as it prepares to host the Grand Prix,
no-one should be under any illusions that the country's human rights
crisis is over."
"The authorities are trying to portray the country as being on the road
to reform, but we continue to receive reports of torture and use of
unnecessary and excessive force against protests."
A Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report said:
"(A)uthorities had committed gross human rights violations with impunity,
including excessive use of force against protesters, widespread torture,
and other ill-treatment, unfair trials and unlawful killings."
Participating drivers ducked commenting on racing in a virtual war zone.
Seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, dismissed conditions,
saying: "I don't want to mix the sport with political things. I am here
for the sport."
Like others involved, he's also money driven. Earnings amount to millions.
From May 2010 - May 2011, Forbes magazine said he earned $34 million.
On April 19, The New York Times headlined, "Unease Surrounds Bahrain
Grand Prix," saying:
"It was almost business as usual for Formula One in Bahrain on Thursday,
as the teams prepared their cars in their garages and the drivers met
the media for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday."
Throughout months of vicious crackdowns against nonviolent protests,
The Times remained largely dismissive.
On April 20, Reuters headlined, "Protests rage as Bahrain Grand Prix
practice begins," saying:
Ahead of Friday's practice session, "protests had flared in villages
surrounding the capital, far from the circuit where the race will be
held. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators
in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sunday's round
of the World Championship."
According to Index of Censorship's Kirsty Hughes:
"The Bahraini government wants to bask in the positive international
publicity it anticipates receiving through the Formula One motor race
going ahead."
"Yet all the signs are that the government is likely to intensify its
harsh clampdown on local activists before and during the Grand Prix."
Escalated Crackdowns Ahead of F1
On April 18, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said:
"....Bahraini authorities have escalated their violent crackdown against
pro-democracy protesters and human rights activists."
"Villages and houses have been attacked continuously for the past few
days. Pre-dawn house raids are being conducted and dozens of protesters
are either arrested or wanted for arrest."
"As F1 is approaching, human rights activists in Bahrain Center for
human rights are being targeted with arrests and prosecution, in an
effort to undermine thier work in reporting the violence against protesters
during the F1."
On April 15, BCHR's Sayed Yousif Al Mahafdha and two Human Rights Watch
(HRW) members (Tom Malinowski and Nadim Houry) were attacked and arrested
while observing a peaceful protest. They were held, harassed, interrogated,
and released.
According to Al Mahafdha, when protesters reached the main road, riot
police confronted them violently. Tear gas and stun grenades were used.
Al Mahafdha took shelter in a nearby home. Police stormed it. They pepper-sprayed
and beat those inside.
In recent weeks, BCHR president Nabeel Rajab was arrested several times
for exposing human rights abuses, as well as expressing his views freely
and participating in peaceful demonstrations. Authorities accused him
and others of "participating in an illegal assembly."
Rajab was formally charged with violating Bahrain's Assembly code. On
May 6, his trial begins. The repressive Assembly law lets police repressively
disrupt nonviolent public gatherings. Its article 11 states:
"No one shall organize demonstrations or marches or rallies that are
held or going near shopping malls."
Those convicted face fines, imprisonment, or both. BCHR members are
repeatedly targeted. Sixteen-year old Mansoor Al Jamri assisted their
human rights abuse documentation efforts. He was arrested, beaten, tortured,
and detained.
Hunger striker Abdulhadi Alkhawaja is a former BCHR president. April
21 marks his 73rd day without food. His life hangs by a thread. He could
go any time. Al-Khalifa despots face a dilemma.
They want him dead but need him alive through Sunday's Grand Prix. They're
also concerned about creating a world-renoun martyr. They could avoid
it by freeing him, but won't.
A Final Comment
Commenting on Bahrain's Grand Prix, a London Guardian editorial headlined,
"Bahrain: chequered flag," saying:
The event "backfired before it has even begun....The race has become
a magnet for protest, a magnifying glass of dissent bubbling away below
the surface. 'Don't race over our blood,' the slogan goes in Manama,
but that is what Formula One teams propose to do today."
Coverup and denial can't hide daily security force brutality. Videotape
evidence documents it. So do independent media reports.
"Britain and America make clucking noises but are just as cynical as
the Bahraini royal family itself. Strategic alliances trump human rights.
What is the difference between Bahrain and Syria?"
The hypocrisy is glaring. Al Khalifa terror rages. F1 engines won't
drown it out. Washington maintains silence. Bahrain's a valued ally.
It's home to America's Fifth Fleet.
In contrast, the Obama administration actively aids Syrian insurgents.
Doing so violates America's Constitution and international law.
At issue is imperial dominance. Supporting regional despots and replacing
independent regimes with client ones furthers it.
Human rights abuses don't matter when valued allies commit them. Regimes
confronting Western-generated violence responsibly are called terrorists.
Sunday's F1 spectacle won't change things. Daily repression continues
whether or not it's held. Washington's presence supports it.
Ending its rage to ravage humanity matters most. Imagine if Americans
matched Bahraini courage. Imagine peace instead of war.
Imagine a socially responsible nation instead of one benefitting its
privileged alone. Imagine one fit to live in, not feared.
Imagine if Americans cared enough to go all out for it. The possibilities
are breathtaking.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
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