You are in the 252nd Witness Revolution diary, bearing witness to pro-democracy movements in North Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We aim here to simply report, from as many reliable worldwide resources as possible, on the successes, challenges or failures of the brave people striving against oppression for representative democracy with civil and human rights. One small bit of assurance that they do not strive in obscurity. Please see the 200th edition where participants shared what this series means to them.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
BAHRAIN
Prominent Rights Activists are in Hunger Strike in detention Protesting against the Brutal crackdown and arbitrary arrest
In solidarity with the Medical Staff and detainees on hunger-strike in Bahrain’s Dry Dock Prison, Prominent Human Rights activists Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and Dr. Abduljaleel Alsingace today announced an open hunger-strike from their prison in Gurayn (Military Prison).
In a letter, they said that it was also in protest to the arbitrary detention, unfair trials of the detainees and Brutal crackdown
Updates regarding the case of 14-year-old child killed by Bahrain police
The Bahrain ministry of interior has offered 10,000 Bahraini Dinars to anyone with information on the death of 14 year old Ali AlShaikh. They announced that the death was not the doing of the riot police.
This picture twitpic.com/6e7awy shows the similarity between the tear gas canister Ali was hit with and the wound on his neck which caused his death according to the Cause of Death yfrog.com/nxa6cj.
Sameera Rajab, a member of the Shoura council, said on BBC discussion show that a serial killer was on the loose and was responsible for these deaths. At least four people have given their testimonies to the police on the involvement of the riot police in chasing and hunting Ali AlShaikh and shooting him from a very close range. Father of Ali Almoamen is one of these witnesses and he also gave his testimony on BBC (Arabic) in addition to registering it at the police station.
YEMEN
Yemen Silent Protest Speaks - 'How Many of Us Should Die for the World to Pay Attention of Us?'
Translation with assistance of Google:
Anecdote of Dr Wafaa al Masani in Taiz Thawrah hospital on her first day work after Eid holiday
On the first day after Eid holidays in al Thawrah general hospital in Taiz, first I was met at the gate of the hospital members of the Republican Guard with their suits dusty as usual. It was the first time I did not walk in front of them speeding, but stood by observing the faces, perhaps I could find something different [from the public] that would give them permission to desecrate the sanctity of [Friday] prayer (Revolution Escalation Friday [September 2nd]). I continued searching them for anything different from us, but my eyes rebounded: same grim faces and the bodies of poor people like us, no difference. I said to comfort myself: No, not those who snipped worshipers in the Square on Friday. Surely, whoever carried out that act were other individuals from inside the building and their qualities must have something different from us in order to possess the courage to dare against their Creator.
And, I continued to walk in the courtyard of the hospital to be received by concrete columns and walls glaring at me and saying: It is not for this we were built. How was this place that was founded from the first day to preserve life into a place to distribute death free of charge?
After all this, I was supposed to be put a smile on my face and echo the words of each year: Happy Eid for everyone I would meet on my way, but soon I was suffocated by my tears, no longer the muscles of my face were able to continue stretching the lips [for smile], no longer vocal cords could go along with me in falsehood and lies and quackery phrases. Noooooooo, I'm not okay, the hospital is not okay and homeland is not okay.
We were robbed of our Eids, joys, wishes and hopes. We are only left with a single hope- to see you free our homeland.
I will continue but we will continue, but for you Yemen to see light.
SYRIA
Hamza Shamsi Basha
"And reckon not those who are killed in Allah´s way as dead; nay, they are alive (and) are provided sustenance from their Lord; Rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace and they rejoice for the sake of those who, (being left) behind them, have not yet joined them, that they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Quran 3: 169, 170)
Fallen Hero, Hamza Shamsi Basha, killed by Assad's thugs on 3rd day of Eid (09.02.2011) - Homs \ Syria
country by country updates below the fold
Thank you for bearing witness.
ABOUT OUR GROUP
Eyes on Egypt and the Region produces a different series of diaries which provide background and analysis on the region in general and on individual countries. We hope those provide context for you as you read about current events. The published diaries in that series are:
Eyes on Egypt and the Region Background Resources
See the group stream for even more diaries.
DO YOU KNOW OF GOOD READING MATERIAL?
We collect suggested readings for background reference materials in support of the Eyes on Egypt and the Region group. These may be non-fiction or fiction, general to the region or specific to a country or issue. If there are resources which you believe could aid our understanding of the events and processes we are witnessing, please either a) post a comment in the Liveblog with the title "Suggested reading:" and a brief description of the reading in the body of the comment, or b) send your suggestions via the dKos internal message to angry marmot.
Libyan Doctors for Hospitals in Libya is an impressive new aide organization launched by one of our own: StepLeftStepForward.
NEWS UPDATES
(country names in bold are updated from the previous diary.)
GENERAL ANALYSIS
(h/t Dibsa 9/6)-
As Arab Spring unfolds, who is watching Iran?
WASHINGTON — While everyone is watching events unfold in Libya, Syria and the rest of the Arab world, Iran is watching, too. And the leaders in Tehran may decide that this is the time to rush for the bomb. Moammar Gadhafi gave it up. Bashar Assad fell short of getting it. Would they be next?
ALGERIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Algeria, Forgotten by Arab Spring, May Rue Taking Qaddafi Family
Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Algeria’s harboring of the family of at-large Libyan autocrat Muammar Qaddafi risks bringing scrutiny to the former French colony that’s so far been unaffected by the Arab Spring
BAHRAIN
(h/t Dibsa 9/1) - Bahrain tensions grow amid stronger protest calls
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — It's become a nightly duel in Bahrain: Security forces and anti-government protesters waging hit-and-run clashes in one of the simmering conflicts of the Arab Spring
(h/t Dibsa 9/1) - Bahrain opposition figure al-Nuaimi dies
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, founder of one of Bahrain's leading opposition groups, died Thursday after more than four years in a coma, political leaders said. He was 67
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Bahrain unrest: Teenager dies after protest
Ali Jawad Ahmed, 14, was among a small crowd who had gathered overnight in the village of Sitra, said the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights.
The group said security forces personnel had used "excessive force"
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Bahrain activists blame police in boy's death
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahraini security forces clashed with anti-government protesters after Wednesday morning prayers, killing a 14-year-old boy who died after being hit by a police tear gas canister, human rights activists said
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Bahrain's contribution to the Arab Spring
Arab silence on the continued repression of the Bahraini people is a shameful episode that does not fit the era of the Arab revolution. It is also a testimony to the determination of the US-backed Gulf political order - that is leading the effort to place a cap on change in the Arab World - to prevent the revolution from reaching its member states
BURKINA FASO
(h/t Dibsa 8/25 ) - Burkina Students Relieved Over Zongo Verdict But Not Happy
Ouagadougou — In Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, a verdict was finally delivered in the Justin Zongo case, named after a student whose controversial death raised concerns over police brutality. The case sparked a series of protests that plunged the country into months of social unrest. Students expected a heavier sentence
(h/t Dibsa 8/24 ) - Burkina Faso sentencing upsets students
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A student protest leader in Burkina Faso said the sentencing of three policemen accused of brutality in the death of a detainee wasn't enough
COTE D'IVOIRE
(h/t Dibsa 9/6 ) - Ivory Coast ex-combatants’ weapons collected
YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The U.N. Operation in Ivory Coast, or ONUCI, continues to support the state, a U.N. official said.
ONUCI's operations include security, disarmament, demobilization and the reintegration into civil society of former fighters, ONUCI FM radio reported Friday
DJIBOUTI
(h/t Dibsa 6/22 ) - Djibouti Will Intensify Fight Against Poverty, Prime Minister Dileita Says
Djibouti’s government will intensify its fight against poverty, improve governance and implement renewable-energy projects to help spur economic growth, Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita said
EGYPT
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Egypt: Mubarak trial adjourns until Wednesday
CAIRO (AP) — The trial of ousted President Hosni Mubarak has adjourned until Wednesday after a tumultuous eight-hour session
(h/t JustJennifer 9/6) - Strike by postal workers may cause big headache for SCAF
Since the end of the month of Ramadan, a new wave of labour strikes and protests in the public sector have spread across Egypt.
(h/t JustJennifer 9/6) - Revolution Youth Union calls on security to evacuate Tahrir square before Friday’s protests
The Revolution Youth Union called on the ministry of interior and military police to withdraw all security personnel deployed in Tahrir Square ahead of Friday’s planned protests in order to avoid possible “bloodshed.”
IRAN
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Iranian opposition leader missing
TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Iranian human rights activists said they were "extremely concerned" about the welfare of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, who has been missing for six weeks
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Iranian Exiles Flock East, to Multiethnic Malaysia
Above the outdoor cafés of this city's trendiest suburb, some 60 exiles are busily dubbing Brazilian soap operas, Japanese cartoons and American music videos into Farsi. They work for GEM-TV, a privately owned, Dubai-based bootleg satellite station that beams the modern world into Iran from a broadcast station in Malaysia. This Southeast Asian nation is becoming, in the words of GEM-TV host Abed Randamiz, "famous as a place to jump" from Iran's harshly religious regime. "It's the best of three countries that freely give us visas," Rangamiz says with a shrug. "The others are Turkey and Turkmenistan."
IRAQ
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - Senior Iraqi Kurd calls on rebels to lay down arms
The deputy chief of the most powerful political party in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region has called on separatist groups in the area to lay down their arms in an interview published on Sunday
ISRAEL
(h/t JustJennifer 9/6) - Israeli protests: 430,000 take to streets to demand social justice
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday night in Israel's biggest ever demonstration to demand social justice, a lower cost of living and a clear government response to the concerns of an increasingly squeezed middle class.
JORDAN
(h/t Dibsa 9/1) - The Jordan opportunity
Should the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN fail to produce any tangible results, current events in Syria may have the unexpected effect of presenting Israel and the region with a very rare opportunity
KUWAIT
(h/t JustJennifer 8/25) - Jailed for tweeting in Kuwait
Armed security officers wearing balaclavas led Nasser Abul, blindfolded and shackled, into a courtroom in downtown Kuwait City on July 19. Accused of crimes against the state, he answered the judge's questions from a wood-and-metal cage in the courtroom. His mother, watching the proceedings, hoped her 26-year-old eldest son would finally be released after nearly two months in detention. The judiciary has refused to grant her wish.
LEBANON
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Syria solidarity rally held in Beirut
Hundreds of people have rallied in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, in solidarity with the Syrian people, as the Syrian government intensified its crackdown on protesters
LIBYA
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Gadhafi spokesman: Toppled Libyan leader resolute
TARHOUNA, Libya (AP) — Tribal elders from one of Moammar Gadhafi's last strongholds were trying to persuade regime loyalists holed up there to lay down their arms, the elders said during Tuesday talks with rebel negotiators, hours after a large convoy of heavily armed Gadhafi soldiers crossed the desert into neighboring Niger
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Libya rebels: Talks resume over pro-Gadhafi town
TARHOUNA, Libya (AP) — Tribal elders in a stronghold of Moammar Gadhafi were trying to persuade regime loyalists holed up inside to lay down their arms, a rebel negotiator said Tuesday, hours after a large convoy of Gadhafi soldiers crossed the Libyan desert border into neighboring Niger
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Libya rebels hold off on attacking Gadhafi bastion
TARHOUNA, Libya (AP) — Thousands of rebel fighters closed in around one of Libya's last pro-Gadhafi strongholds Monday, but held back on a final assault in hopes of avoiding a bloody battle for the town of Bani Walid
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Victorious Libya footballers return home to fanfare
Bursting with pride from their first win following the defeat of Moamar Kadhafi, Libya's national team were welcomed home to a fanfare by fans, who hailed it a "good omen" for Libya's future
(h/t Dibsa 9/2) - UN warns Libya is short of water, fuel, medicine
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Rebel forces are advancing toward Moammar Gadhafi's hometown despite the extension of the deadline for the town's surrender, rebel officials said Friday, as a U.N. officials warned that Libya faces critical but short-term shortages of drinking water, food and other supplies
(h/t Dibsa 9/2) - Rebel forces press toward Gadhafi's hometown
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Rebel forces are advancing toward Moammar Gadhafi's hometown despite the extension of the deadline for the town's surrender, rebel officials said Friday, as a U.N. officials warned that Libya faces critical but short-term shortages of drinking water, food and other supplies
RESOURCES:
A vision of a democratic Libya an 8-point plan from the National Transitional Council
The full text of UN Resolution 1970 on Libya.
The full text of UN Resolution 1973 on Libya.
President Obama's letter to Congress regarding commencement of operations in Libya. (h/t greenbird)
Al Jazeera Libyan live blog. (h/t jnhobbs)
UK Telegraph Libyan live blog. (h/t bee tzu)
MAURITANIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/25) - Mauritania urged to revoke anti-slavery activists’ sentencing
The authorities in Mauritania must revoke jail sentences given to four anti-slavery activists who protested against the enslavement of a 10-year old girl, Amnesty International said today
MOROCCO
(h/t Dibsa 8/15 ) - Morocco picks early elections date
Morocco's government says it wants to hold early parliamentary elections in November, to follow through on a raft of constitutional reforms aimed at reducing the risk of an uprising
OMAN
(h/t Dibsa 8/15) - Three newspaper staff charged in Oman court
MUSCAT — The Omani public prosecutor's office called on Sunday for the conviction of three local newspaper employees on charges of insulting the justice minister and called for their daily to be shut down
PALESTINE
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Are They Ready? Nuts-and-Bolts Questions About Palestinian Statehood
RAMALLAH — The offices of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning, in Ramallah's upscale al-Masyoun neighborhood, were all abuzz last week. The civil servants on staff were just finishing a much anticipated report due to be submitted at the end of September, just in time for the meeting of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City
(h/t Dibsa 9/6 ) - Palestine plans UN membership bid: Abbas
RAMALLAH - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday night told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton via phone that he is determined to go to the United Nations to bid for a full membership, source said Tuesday
SAUDI ARABIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/31) - #Tal3mrak: A Hashtag Challenges Saudi Arabian King
The phrase Tal3mrak in Saudi Arabia literally translates into "May god prolong your life" - and its used as a sign of respect when addressing royalty or influential business men in the Gulf region
SYRIA
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Syrian city under siege as UN urges action
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian soldiers opened fire in the restive city of Homs on Tuesday and armored vehicles rolled through its streets, activists said, as the U.N. secretary-general urged the world community to take action on Syria
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Syrian troops make arrests in manhunt for defector
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian soldiers raided homes and made arrests Monday in a manhunt for a provincial attorney general who appeared on video last week saying he had defected from President Bashar Assad's regime to protest a violent government crackdown on dissent, activists said
(h/t Dibsa 9/2) - EU bans imports of Syrian oil over crackdown
BEIRUT (AP) — The European Union banned oil imports from Syria on Friday in a move that will cost the embattled regime millions of dollars each day as it uses deadly force to try to crush a 5-month-old uprising. The same day, activists said, at least 13 people were killed in the crackdown
TUNISIA
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Fears for democracy in Tunisia where Arab Spring began
Tunisians fear that divisions, particularly over the role of Islam, could destabilise the country’s transition to democracy and leave the economic problems that helped to spark the uprising unresolved
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Tunisia steps up efforts to calm rising violence
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's prime minister says authorities are stepping up enforcement of a state of emergency after pockets of violence erupted in recent days — new instability after the country's revolution
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(h/t Dibsa 9/1) - U.A.E.'s slow steps to Democracy
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The oil-rich United Arab Emirates holds its second-ever polls next month after allowing many more citizens to vote, taking baby steps toward democracy in a state where virtually no one is pushing for quick change
WESTERN SAHARA
(h/t Dibsa 7/26) - Western Sahara talks end in impasse
The latest round of unofficial, UN-brokered Western Sahara negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario ended without agreement last week
(h/t Dibsa 7/25) - Western Sahara: Women Refugees Denounce Dictatorship, Corruption at Camps
MADRID / Association for the development of Saharawi Women, led by Salma Buha Mint Bubacar Lecuara, president of the association and Fatma Ahmed Essbiti, its secretary, held a conference on july 21, 2011 at The Emperor hotel in Madrid. Ana Camacho a senior journalist with El País intervened in support of the two speakers. Also attended the ceremony Mohamed Salem jaddou a member of the association
YEMEN
(h/t Dibsa 9/6) - Yemen: 8 months into the revolution and counting
Yemen’s popular uprising started on the wake of the Tunisian and Egyptian’s revolution, in a movement now know as the “Arab Spring”. Just as Egyptians were celebrated the ouster of their dictator, Husne Mubarak, following weeks of mass protests, Yemenis gathered in solidarity near the Egyptian Embassy, wanting to express their joy
(h/t Dibsa 9/2) - Thousands of Yemenis hold rival rallies
Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis staged rival rallies on Friday, with massive crowds demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down and as many people turning out in support of the ailing leader
It bears repeating -
Please Rec this diary.
Our Egyptian brethren articulated what people around the region are fighting for, though variations to the theme may exist from country to country. banner held by protesters and translated to English:
1 The departure of Mubarak
2 An end to the current Parliament
3 An end of the state of emergency
4 The creation of a national united government
5 A parliament elected by the people to modify the constitution and run the presidential elections
6 Put those responsible for the killings on trial
7 Put those responsible for stealing the country's money and other acts of corruption on trial
Will you help us gather updates?
Many hands make light work and we rely on teamwork for timely posting.
Here's how it works:
1. we invite you to join our wiki. (we'll need an email address from you)
2. you choose 1 or more countries you wish to gather citations for
3. go to the page of that country, click EDIT,
4. copy the mini template and fill in what the red text prompts
5. click SAVE
We're working on a publication schedule: Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday. Ideally we would see fresh citations in the wiki by late evening the day before. That is, posts from late Monday evening would be published in Tuesday morning's diary. (If you'd like produce a diary on a different day of the week, we'd love to show you how to update the template and paste it into your diary!)
It's really that simple! Please join us.
Resources:
Note: The old Mothership Diary has good list of resources.
Al Jazeera English - Watch Live (the Youtube link below should work for Mac users unable to load this.)
Al Jazeera live also available on: Dish Network channel 9410 OR DirecTV Channel 375 Link
Al Jazeera on Facebook: - http: www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Al Jazeera Live on YouTube
English Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
Arabic Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
BBC Middle East reporting
BBC Middle East and Arab Unrest
bicycle Hussein paladin - Why Iran 1979 Went to the Islamists and This One Won't
People to follow on twitter: - please suggest people for specific countries. Thank you!
@ArabRevolution - Region
@Dima_Khatib - Region
@March15Syria - Syria
@JNovak_Yemen - Yemen
@WomanfromYemen - Yemen
@Gheblawi - Libya
@ShababLibya - Libya
@feb17voices - Libya
@libyanexpat - Libya
@lissnp - Iran
@sandmonkey (Mahmoud Salem ) - Egypt
@JRamyRaoof - Egypt
@Elazul - Egypt
@Ssirgany - Egypt
@sharifkouddous
@monasosh
@ioerror
@ElBaradei
@SultanAlQassemi
@evanchill
@glcarlstrom
@3arabawy
@shadihamid
@bencnn
@arabist
@speaktotweet: Egyptian Voice Tweets on Twitter
Previous Child Diaries:
Egypt and the Region Liveblog Archive by unaspenser
NOTE: We renamed the original "Egypt Liveblog" to "Witnessing Revolution". From Egypt the pro-democracy fire spread rapidly. It's not clear that it will be limited by geography or ethnicity. So, we wanted a name which states what is happening yet allows us to grow with the movement, wherever that will be. The number sequence will be continuous. The group name will remain the same. Only this particular diary series within the group changed names.
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