Bahrain: Protests against premier’s crimes and ruler’s genocide
Death squads were in action last night to attack the peaceful demonstrators in Sanabis town. Scores of young people went out to the streets to protest against the prime minister who represents the ultimate evil to the people of Bahrain. Demonstrators flocked to the streets to express their opinion but were attacked by the death squads and riot police who employed harsh tactics including tear gas. The area was cordoned off and running battles were fought with those mercenaries. The battles continued unabated as the people gathered their strength to fight off the aggression of those mercenaries.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is the longest serving prime minister in the world whose tenure has been marked with state terror, corruption and despotism. In a country where the people have no power to change their government, Sheikh Khalifa has remained in his post through the adoption of heavy-handed policies, intimidation and absolute dictatorship. In recent months he bribed one of the United Nations agencies into granting him an award for good achievement. It later transpired that, one month earlier, he had bribed the agency with one million dollars. The use of public funds to bribe groups and individuals has been a policy for the past three decades. Guests to the Al Khalifa dictators were often given Rolex watches and other jewellery items. Paid holidays for parliamentarians, journalists and employees of prominent organisations have also been granted. A glance at the British MPs register would clearly reveal how some members had been bought off by the Al Khalifa dictatorship in return for their services that include positive imaging of the regime.
In another development the unemployed youth organised a picket of the ministry of labour to demand job opportunities and regular unemployment benefits. They asked to meet the minister who, for unknown reasons, refused to meet them. An emissary from the ministry asked them to disperse after informing them that other officials would not be meeting them. The unemployed then raised anti-government slogans and remained steadfast in their positions.
A prominent veteran opposition figure is being hospitalised after suffering a blackout and exhaustion. Sheikh Mohammad Ali Al Ekri, 78, was taken to the emergency department at Salmaniya hospital where he is now receiving treatment. Sheik Al Ekri has suffered physically at the hands of the regime during his repeated detention periods. He was first arrested in September 1979 upon his return to Bahrain from abroad. He remained in torture chambers for 50 months under the State Security Law imposed in 1974 by the British colonial officer, Ian Henderson. His case was highlighted by The Times on 11th January 1983 under the Prisoners of Conscience column. He was released in December 1983. He was repeatedly persecuted for his relentless activism against the regime. Sheikh Al Ekri has championed the causes of other prisoners of conscience and attended the show trials of many activists. He is a legendary figure with immense drive for action, a clear conscience and a pure soul. The people have been praying for his speedy recovery.
On the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, the native people of Bahrain have appealed to the world for a speedy intervention to stop the Al Khalifa regimes from completing their programmed of ethnic genocide against them. Since the present ruler came to power in 1999, he has embarked on a naturalisation programme aimed at changing the demographic balance in the country against the native majority. Tens of thousands of foreigners have been granted Bahraini nationality, many of them have never visited the country. The local press have been directed not to discuss this issue.
The United Nations declared the decade 1994-2004 the International Decade of the Worlds’ Indigenous Peoples. The International Day of Indigenous Peoples is 9 August every year.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
10/08/2007
