Tension mounts as Bahrainis mourn their latest martyr

It was a most noticeable day in the life of Bahrain. The people’ fury
could not have been clearer and more robust. Yesterday was the last
day of the commemoration ceremony of the latest martyr, Ali Jassim,
who had been murdered on Monday, 17th December by the Al Khalifa
police. He was taking part in a peaceful demonstration on the Day of
Martyrs.

The horrific wounds he sustained at the hands of the
mercenaries had shocked the community led to calls for an immediate
impartial investigation. The ruling family has refused to investigate
the crime. At no time in its black history did it investigate the tens
of murders committed by its forces against the people of Bahrain. To
make the situation more grave, Sheikh Hamad had violated the
international Convention Against Torture and issued the notorious
decree 56 to protect torturers and human rights abusers.

Yesterday, thousands of people flocked to the martyrs grave to pay
their lasts respects. They then went on a peaceful demonstration to
demand an inquiry into the crime. The demonstrations were concentrated
in the areas near Abdul Karim Roundabout, the Al Hashimi Mall, Jiyan
Mall and Sanabis. Instead of heeding the people’s call, the royal
family ordered a vicious attack against the demonstrators, causing
injuries and arresting scores of Bahrainis. The people reacted angrily
and waged an attack against the aggressors, causing them to flee the
scene. A police vehicle was later set on fire by angry demonstrators.

Sheikh Hamad and his clique ordered an immediate collective punishment
of several areas, including Jidhafs, Daih and Sanabis. The skirmishes
between the people and the aggressors continued until late hours of
the night. For the following three hours, the mercenaries wreaked
havoc in those areas, attacking women congregation halls, mosques and
houses. There were frightening scenes throughout.  Several people
needed treatment for their wounds or excessive gas inhalation. A
foreign journalist who was in the area described it as resembling the
Israeli attacks on Palestinian areas. The photos published in websites
gave a grave image of the situation. It could well be the beginning of
a new, and possibly, a decisive one between the people of Bahrain and
the Al Khalifa occupiers.

Meanwhile, the Haq Movement has taken more steps in its Civil
Resistance campaign against the regime. Its Secretary General, Hassan
Mushaime, cut short his trip to UK to attend a seminar at the House of
Lords, and returned to Bahrain to take part in the commemoration of
the martyr, Ali Jassim. He flew back to Manama on Tuesday night. Three
other senior members of Haq followed him two days later. This morning,
Mr Isa Al Jowdar, Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace and Mrs Laila Dashti, took
a Gulf Air flight back to Bahrain to take part in a new campaign
within the Civil Resistance activities by their movement. They had
taken part in the House of Lords seminar on Wednesday and were
scheduled to attend a gathering by Bahraini community in UK over the
weekend. Due to the gravity of the situation, they returned to Bahrain
to take part in the new activity to be announced later today.

Preparations are underway for the undeclared new campaign, and fears
are mounting of a possible retaliatory violence by the Al Khalifa
regime. The situation is escalating despite efforts by pro-regime
groups to passify people’s anger.

The House of Lords seminar was held, as planned, on Wednesday, and was
attended by human rights organizations, politicians and supporters of
the people of Bahrain. Mercenaries working for the Al Khalifa
hereditary dictatorship were also present. Among them was an employee
of the Policy Partnership group, owned by Lord Guilford. He took an
active role in challenging the Bahrainis who were picketing the
reception organized by the Bahraini embassy in London on Thursday 13th
December. The seminar was covered by prominent TV satellite channels
such as Al Jazeera, Press TV and Al Aalam. It was a successful event
praised by attendants who became more aware of the true situation in
Bahrain.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
25/12/2007