The Middle East

Bahrain Sentences Shia Opposition Leader

by Mridula Tirumalasetti

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain—Shia opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, has been sentenced to four years in prison by a Bahraini court for “insulting an official body,” that being the interior ministry. The country’s public prosecutor stated that Salman was also convicted for the “explicit incitement against a group of the people, including disturbing the public peace and explicit incitement toward disobeying the law,” He has been acquitted of seeking to overthrow the Sunni-ruled monarchy and change the political system, for which he could have been jailed for life. Salman does have the chance to appeal, said his defense attorney, Abdullah al-Shamlawi.

Bahraini Shia Muslims protest in support of Salman (photo courtesy of The Guardian)

Salman, a 49-year old Muslim cleric and head of the al Wefaq Islamic Society, was arrested and detained on December 28 after delivering a series of speeches that called for political reform. Salman had just been re-elected as the party leader.

Salman’s arrest was condemned by states such as United States and Iran, and by human rights groups. Additionally, protests ensued throughout Bahrain. Human rights groups called Salman a “prisoner of conscience” and say that abuses in the country are continuing unabated.

Amnesty International said that Salman’s conviction violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Bahrain is a signatory of. Middle East and North Africa deputy director, Said Boumedouha stated that Salman’s conviction is “another clear example of Bahrain’s flagrant disregard for international obligations.” He continued, “Sheikh Ali Salman has been sentenced solely for peacefully expressing his opinion.”  The organization urged for the immediate release of Salman.

Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Bahrain has been struck by unrest and instability in the form of protests and demonstrations. Shia Muslims in the country have demanded a more representative government and a constitutional monarchy. There have been at least 89 deaths due to clashes with security forces. Hundreds of others have been arrested and put on trial.

For more information, please visit:

The Guardian—Bahrain opposition leader Ali Salman sentenced to four years in jail—16 June 2015

The Independent—Sheikh Ali Salman: Bahrain opposition leader jailed for four years day after UK minister ‘opens’ Royal Navy base in kingdom—16 June 2015

The Daily Star—Hezbollah denounces Bahrain’s ‘malicious’ jailing of opposition chief—16 June 2015

BBC News—Bahrain opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman jailed—16 June 2015

 

Where is the PRIDE?

by Mridula Tirumalasetti

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Several people were arrested in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah in the Harzat district after Saudi authorities raided two parties where many of the attendees were homosexuals. The raids happened simultaneously on June 13 around dawn.

Sources connected to the raids have told Gulf News that “The raids led to the arrest of several people, mainly gays, and netted locally produced alcoholic drinks and hasish…Those who were arrested were referred to a police station while those who fled the premises will be summoned since they were all identified.” It has also been reported that the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which is made up of members of the religious police, recorded license plates of any and all cars that were parked close to each party before the parties were raided so that they were able to track down those who managed to escape.

Police cars in Jeddah during the raids are pictured above (photo courtesy of International Business Times)

Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation of Islamic Shariah law makes homosexuality and even cross-dressing illegal. Those who engage in homosexual acts can receive a wide variety of harsh punishments. Such punishments include being stoned to death, imprisonment, chemical castration, flogging, and execution. For example, in November a man was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 100,000 Saudi riyals, which is approximately $26,000, for allegedly participating in “immoral acts.” Also in July, a man in Medina was sentenced to three years imprisonment and 450 lashes for “promoting the vice and practice of homosexuality.” Politicians in Saudi Arabia have even suggested prompt deportation for the LGBT community. As a result, the LGBT community in Saudi Arabia is fearful of religious police, and has become accustomed to keeping their private lives and sexual orientation a secret so that they will not be discovered and punished.

Other nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, such as Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have imposed similar sanctions for homosexuality. For example, in October, Kuwaiti police arrested 23 cross-dressers and people who identified as homosexuals after they raided a “wild party.” Also, in 2013, a health official proposed that the LGBT community be banned from working anywhere in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

For more information, please visit:

International Business Times—‘Gay Parties’ Raided In Saudi Arabia; Religious Police Arrest Several People On Suspicion Of Homosexuality—15 June 2015

Gulf News—Saudi Arabia busts two gay parties—14 June 2015

albawaba—Have you no PRIDE?! Two ‘homosexual’ parties dismantled by Saudi police—15 June 2015

GayStarNews—Islamic religious police raid two gay parties in Saudi Arabia—15 June 2015

 

Family of Yemeni Drone Strike Victims Files Lawsuit in US

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, the Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – On Sunday, a family member of two Yemeni men killed by a US drone strike filed a lawsuit against the United States seeking the deaths be acknowledged as unlawful. Monetary compensation is not sought; rather the families want a public apology.

Mr. Faisal bin Ali Jaber filed lawsuit in United States Federal Court on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of The International)

In April, US President Obama publicly apologized for an inadvertent airstrike in Pakistan that killed two hostages, one American and one Italian. The lawsuit questions why, “the President has now admitted to killing innocent Americans and Italians with drones; why are the bereaved families of innocent Yemenis less entitled to the truth?”

The two men were killed in August 2012 by Hellfire missiles. Salem bin Ali Jaber, a cleric, and Waleed bin Ali Jaber, a traffic police officer, met with three young men the day they were killed. The US never publically acknowledged that the three young men were al-Qaeda members, but the operators appeared to have evidence that they were members of al-Qaeda and assumed the other two, Salem and Waleed, were too.

Days before the attack, Salem bin Ali Jaber, had given a sermon speaking against the beliefs of al-Qaeda. When the young men asked to see him after the service, family members sent them away fearing the young men were from al-Qaeda and thought the men were upset with the sermon. Salem agreed to meet the men the day of the incident and Waleed went along for protection.

The lawsuit was filed in United States Federal District Court by Faisil bin Albi Jaber with the assistance of the human rights group, Reprieve. Fasil bin Albi Jaber was the brother-in-law of Salem and the uncle of Waleed. Faisil bin Albi Jaber, filed suit as next of friend, in place of immediate family members, because he was in a better position to bring a lawsuit.

According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, 423 civilians have been killed as a result of President Obama’s drone strike program. Mr. Jaber’s lawyer commented, “Not only were his two relatives among the hundreds of innocent civilians who have been killed by this misguided, dirty war – they were the very people we should be supporting.”

Last year, the Yemeni government compensated the families of Salem and Waleed with $155,000, which Reprieve states was from the United States government.

Letta Taylor, a senior researcher on terrorism and counter-terrorism for Human Rights Watch stated, “It’s shocking that family members would have to take a request as basic as an acknowledgement of death of loved ones to a court almost halfway around the world, simply because they aren’t American.”

For further information, please see:

New York Times- Families of Drone Strike Victims in Yemen File Suit in Washington – 8 June 2015

Reuters- Yemeni Families sue US, Allege ‘Wrongful Deaths’ From Drone Strike- 8 June 2015

The Guardian – Yemen Drone Strike Lawsuit Forces US to Face Non-Western ‘War on Terror’ Victims – 8 June 2015

The Independent – Family of US Drone Strike Victims Files Lawsuit Demanding President Obama Apologize for Yemen Killings – 8 June 2015

Saudi Arabia Mosque Bombing Claimed by the Islamic State

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – On Friday afternoon, a suicide bomber dressed in women’s clothing detonated his bomb in front of a Shi’ite mosque killing three other people. The Islamic State claimed that they were behind the bombing, making this the second in two weeks.

Suicide bomber detonated bomb outside Shiite mosque. (Photo courtesy of BBC).

One week ago, the Islamic State claimed to be behind a bombing of a Shi’ite mosque, which killed 22 people.

The majority of Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim with a minority being Shi’ite Muslim. The attack occurred in al-Qadeeh, a predominately Shi’ite neighborhood. On Friday night, Shi’ite protesters in Dammam and al-Qadeeh demanded an end to sectarianism.

Some have suggested that Saudi Arabia has not done enough to deter online abuse of Shi’ites, suggesting that the online abuse is a gateway to overt acts against the minority sect.

The Islamic State admits to pursuing sectarian goals. The Islamic State wanted to aggravate the tension between the Saudi Arabia state and Saudi Arabian Shi’ites. Currently, Saudia Arabia is leading a coalition in an air campaign in Yemen against the Shi’ite Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia denies any sectarian objectives in forming the coalition against the Houthi rebels.

A witness to the bombing claimed to have seen a quick explosion and men preventing the bomber from entering the mosque. Security guards had become suspicious of a man in a vehicle near the mosque, and when they approached the vehicle, it exploded. The explosion resulted in other cars catching on fire and the death of three Shi’ite worshipers.

Of those killed, one was an undergraduate student at Wichita State University. Abduljaleel Alarbash was returning to Saudi Arabia to be married and intended to return to school in the fall.

The Islamic State identified the bomber as Abu Jandal al-Jazrawi. The Islamic State posted online that the bomber was a “soldier of the Caliphate.” Saudi Arabia has previously been threatened by the Islamic State because of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in a U.S. coalition against the Islamic State.

For further information, please see:

 BBC- Saudi Arabian Mosque Hit by Bomb Attack – 29 May 2015

CNN- ISIS Claims 2nd Saudi Mosque Attack– 29 May 2015

New York Times- Explosion Near Shiite Mosque Kills 4 in Eastern Saudi Arabia – 29 May 2015

Reuters- Islamic State Suicide Bomber in Women’s Garb Kills Three in Saudi Arabia– 29 May 2015

Truce Ends, Airstrikes Resume in Yemen

By Brittani Howell

 Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen—The five-day ceasefire ended late Sunday night. The Saudi-led coalition resumed airstrikes over Yemen blaming the Houthi rebels for breaking the truce. Yemen’s foreign minister, Riad Yassin, stated, “That’s what we said before – that if they start again, we will start again.”

Aid Supplies to Yemen. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

The United States, a supporter of the Saudi-led coalition, also blamed the end of the truce on the Houthi rebels. State Department representative Jeff Rathke commented on Saudi Arabia’s “exercised restraint during the humanitarian pause” while the Houthis “moved missile-launchers to the border and shelled Saudi territory numerous times.”

Air strikes resumed late Sunday night and continued into Monday. Witnesses reported strikes attacking cities neighboring Aden.

The Saudi-led coalition does not intend to reinstate a cease-fire. However, air and sea ports used for aid relief will not be targeted. Saudi Arabian officials expressed remorse for the end of the cease-fire, blaming the Houthis for its end.

The UN and humanitarian groups urged for an additional five-day truce in order to extend aid to others. During the cease fire the United Nations was able to provide enough food for one month to 273,000 people. Fuel was provided to 1.2 million people to access water. Non-essential items were distributed to 32,000 people.

Yemen is a country of 26 million people and one of the poorest in the Middle East. An extended truce would have allowed supplies to reach others who remain in desperate need as a result of the air and sea blockade. Yemen relies heavily on imports in order to sustain its population.

Unicef was able to resupply medical centers and establish mobile centers to rural areas. Solar-powered refrigerators were also provided in order to keep vaccines cool. A Unicef representative, when commenting on the aid effort, stated, “humanitarian assistance cannot replace the needs of 26 million people who have been cut off from a regular supply of commercial imports of food and fuel.”

Even with the aid received, hospitals are still in great need of fuel in order to continue to operate the generators.

The Saudi-led coalition continues to attempt to re-instate President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. President Hadi was exiled in late March. The efforts so far have not proven successful. The Houthis continue to advance in Aden with no sign of stopping. There is evidence that the truce allowed the Houthis to bring more troops into Aden.

According to the United Nations, since March 1,820 have been killed, 7,330 have been injured, and 545,719 have been displaced.

For further information, please see:

BBC- Yemen Conflict: Saudi-led Air Strikes Resume as Truce Ends– 18 May 2015

Chicago Tribune- Saudi-led Airstrikes in Yemen Resume After Truce Expires– 18 May 2015

Reuters- Saudi-led Air Strikes hit Yemen After Truce Expires– 18 May 2015

New York Times- Saudi-led Airstrikes Resume in Yemen as Truce Ends– 17 May 2015