By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor

MANAMA, Bahrain – As the world’s attention focuses on the threats associated with the spread of extremist groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant the world has remained silent as human rights abuses continue in the small Gulf State regime of Bahrain. Bahraini rights activists expressed concern on Friday that John Legend, an American singer known for his outspoken advocacy of civil rights and in the United States, plans to perform in Bahrain next week, despite the country’s continued brutal crackdown on dissent and civilian protests. Legend is scheduled to perform at Bahrain’s state sponsored Spring of Culture festival.

Bahraini human rights activities have labeled John Legend, the Academy award winning recording artist behind Selma’s hit song “glory,” a hypocrite for eloquently writing about the American Civil Rights movement and, to their minds, failing to show empathy for the Bahrain human rights movement by going forward with a big ticket performance for Bahrain’s rich and powerful. Legend responded with a statement saying that he was aware of “documented human rights abuses by the government of Bahrain,” but preferred to “engage with the people of the country” by visiting there.

When accepting the Academy Award for best original song in a motion picture Legend told viewers of the telecast, “We say that ‘Selma is now’ because the struggle for justice is right now.” He added, “Live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you that we are with you.” Bahraini activists have argued that Legends decision not to cancel the Bahraini show demonstrates a level of hypocrisy and indifference towards the struggle for human rights in Bahrain.

Robert Mackey of the New York Times noted the Irony in the Selma song writer’s actions writing; “three years before the American protesters mentioned in the song “Glory” confronted police officers in Ferguson, Mo., with the chant, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” demonstrators in Bahrain were gunned down by the security forces as they marched with raised hands, repeating the Arabic word for “peaceful” — “selmiya” — again and again.

The Bahraini regime has a long history of human rights abuses and crackdowns on public assent. The fourth anniversary of the Bahraini uprising was marked on 14 February with clashes between protesters and police, as the Bahraini regime resisted reform. Shortly after Hussain Jawad prominent, a prominent Bahraini human rights activist was arrested by plain-clothes police and his home of was raided by 20 masked police officers. His family expressed concerns that he may be tortured while in custody.

For more information please see:

The New York Times – John Legend Rejects Calls to Cancel Bahrain Show over Rights Abuses – 2 March 2015

Press TV – International Silence Emboldens Bahrain Regime: Nabeel Rajab – 1 March 2015

Middle East Eye – Bahraini Human Rights Activist Detained, Family Claim Risk of Torture – 16 February 2015

The Guardian – We Are Human Rights Defenders, But Bahrain Says We’re Terrorists – 9 February 2015

By Max Bartels

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

Sanna, Yemen 

Yemen is in a state of chaos, Shiite rebels, Al-Qaeda and government forces and other groups compete for control of the country. The chaos has been exacerbated since Shiite militants, known as Houthi rebels seized key government buildings, kidnapped the President’s Chief-of-Staff and surrounded the presidential mansion. In response, the President, Prime Minister and cabinet have stepped down leaving the Houthi’s with control of the capital and the majority of its infrastructure. The Houthi’s represent the Shiite minority of Yemen, which is a predominantly Sunni nation.

Concerns over the chaos and in fighting in Yemen stretch far beyond its borders, the U.S and European Allies are very concerned over who could end up in power. The former government of Yemen was one of the U.S’s top Middle Eastern Allies in the fight against AL-Qaeda. The concern is also very real in Europe after the Paris attacks were claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in Yemen. Even though most of the unrest has been attributed to the Houthi militant group AL-Qaeda has also struck out against government assets and military institutions. A statement by the news media liaison for Al-Qaeda claimed that the group had captured an entire Yemeni National Army brigade and seized control of an important oil-producing region in Southeastern Yemen.

There are a few other major players in the power struggle beside the Houthis and Al-Qaeda. The others include the Muslim Brotherhood, in the form of a political group called the Al Islah Party. The party is Sunni and is in opposition to the Houthi movement. The other major player is ISIS, leader al-Baghdadi has called on Yemeni Sunnis to resist the Shiite Houthi rebels. ISIS is also looking to outshine Al-Qaeda and become the dominant group.

The U.N has also expressed concern over the unrest in Yemen; Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has stated that Yemen is essentially collapsing before our eyes. The Security Council has issued a resolution demanding that the Houthis step aside and relinquish control of all government institutions. The resolution also approved an emergency council meeting, which allowed the resolution to be enforced by military force.

For more information, please see:

CNN — U.N Security Council Slams Houthi Rebels Takeover in Yemen — 16 February 2015

The New York Times — U.N Warns that Yemen as Al-Qaeda Fighters Make Big Gains — 12 February 2015

CNN — Who’s in Charge in Yemen? — 23 January 2015

Al Jazeera — UN Security Council Demands Houthis Step Aside in Yemen — 16 February 2015 

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Abdullah ibn Abdilazīz, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has died at the age of 90, Saudi state television has said. Saudi state run media television cut to Koranic verses early on Friday, which often signifies the death of a senior member of royal Royal Family, the House of Saud. Just a few minutes after cutting to readings of Koranic verses a formal announcement about King Abdullah’s passing was made, he had been hospitalized for several weeks and was suffering from pneumonia. Abdullah came to power in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

United States President Barack Obama said of King Abdullah, “as a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond,” he said.

According to Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra King Abdullah “is someone who is definitely going to be remembered as a reformist within the royal family.” State media also announced that Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, aged 79, is now officially the new Saudi king. “His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1 a.m. this morning,” State TV reported.

The newly named King Salman called on the royal family’s Allegiance Council to recognize Prince Muqrin as the new crown prince. “His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning,” the statement said.

King Abdullah has been called a reformer by some for his allowance of mild criticism of his government in the press. As king he also hinted that more women should be allowed to work in Saudi Arabia. However, throughout his reign as king Human Rights violations remained rampant in the country, most recently a webizen was convicted and sentenced to lashing for criticizing the state on an internet blog. Basic rights are denied to foreign workers in the country and freedom of movement is limited for women without a male companion and women are denied other rights including the right to drive.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia dies – 22 January 2015

The Associated Press – Saudi State TV Reports: King Abdullah Has Died At 90 – 22 January 2015

BBC News – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah dies – 22 January 2015

Bloomberg – Oil Surges in New York After Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Dies – 22 January 2015