You are in the 190th 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.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
YEMEN
A picture by Amr Mansour showing how youth in yemen risks their life for the world to see the truth- and for Yemen Rights Monitor.
(ht UnaSpenser 5/19) - Photo from the Facebook group Yemen Rights Monitor
A video highlighting the plight of the women of Yemen
LIBYA
(h/t UnaSpenser 5/19)
Video: Freedom Fighters defend Zintan Warning: Graphic
Gaddafi forces approached the eastern gate of Zintan attempting to besiege the city when they were met by the Zintan freedom fighters. Many of the Gaddafi soldier bodies lay dismembered and charred.
BAHRAIN
Mohsen Ghareeb, an international Bahraini artist, was allegedly taken from his home while his family was held and the home was initially entered by masked men, then torn apart by men in civillian clothing and uniformed men.
(ht UnaSpenser 5/19) - Mohsen Ghareeb
More news listed country by country below the fold...
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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.
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
GENERAL ANALYSIS
(h/t Dibsa 5/17)
Obama's Reset: Arab Spring or Same Old Thing?
This week, the words will take center stage. On Thursday, according to administration officials, President Obama will “reset” American policy in the Middle East with a major address offering a comprehensive look at the Arab Spring, “a unified theory about the popular uprisings from Tunisia to Bahrain,” and possibly a new administration approach to the region.
ALGERIA
(h/t Dibsa 5/18)
EU: crucial Algeria listens to 'people's aspirations'
ALGIERS - A European Union commissioner said Monday it was crucial the Algerian government listened to the "aspirations of its people", as popular uprisings shake the region
BAHRAIN
(h/t Dibsa 5/18)Five Bahraini journalists detained; Parvaz still missing
New York, May 17, 2011--Bahrain's crackdown against journalists continues unabated with five new detentions in less than a week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Syria and Iran, one of which is holding Al-Jazeera English journalist Dorothy Parvaz, continue to make intentionally vague or misleading remarks about her whereabouts and physical condition. Meanwhile, Libya announced today that four detained journalists would be released imminently
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) -
Bahrain editors deny charges amid reports of continuing bloodbath
Three former editors of Bahrain's main opposition newspaper have pleaded not guilty to charges of unethical coverage of Shia-led opposition protests against the kingdom's Sunni rulers
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Bahrain Sentences 9 Protesters to 20 Years in Prison, BNA Says
May 19 (Bloomberg) -- Bahrain's Lower National Safety Court sentenced nine people to 20 years in prison after they were convicted of kidnapping a police officer, the state-run Bahrain News Agency said today
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) -
International Bahraini artist arrested and home torn apart - Manama
Mohsen Ghareeb, an international Bahraini artist, was allegedly taken from his home while his family was held and the home was initially entered by masked men, then torn apart by men in civillian clothing and uniformed men
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) -
2011-05-16 #Bahrain one little step forward two big steps back
The Bahrain regime is playing a rather odd game of promising dialog and reform to international observers, while it continues its repression
h/t Dibsa 5/18) -
IFJ Calls for End to Intimidation Campaign against Journalists in Bahrain
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the widespread intimidation campaign targeting journalists who work for newspapers which are critical of the Bahraini government. The IFJ accuses the authorities of systematic harassment of media in the wake of recent anti-government protests and says that at least 68 journalists working for two leading Bahraini newspapers, Al Wasat and Al Bilad, have been singled out for sacking, arrests and charges for treason. Others were forced into exile to escape arrest in the on-going clampdown
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Bahrain sets up new units to monitor media output
Bahrain has set up new units within its Information Affairs Authority to monitor the output of foreign news services and social media, it was announced on Wednesday
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) -
Bahrain activists jailed following 'politically motivated' trials
The trials of eight activists convicted over their involvement in pro-reform protests in Bahrain that began in February, were politically motivated and unfair, Amnesty International said today
(h/t dibsa 5/18) -
Bahrain ex-editors plead not guilty in press trial
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Three former top editors of Bahrain's main opposition newspaper pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of unethical coverage of Shiite-led opposition protests against the kingdom's Sunni rulers.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) -
BAHRAIN: Report alleges torture, calls for Obama, U.S. leaders to help
More than 800 people have been arrested in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain since mid-February. Most of the detainees have been Shiite Muslims who protested against the Sunni monarchy of King Hamed ibn Isa Khalifa
(h/t Dibsa 5/17 ) -
Bahrain: Front Line fears for life of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja amid credible allegations of torture and sexual assault
Following reports of torture including an attempted rape against former Front Line Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Alkhawaja there are grave concerns that his health and even his life may be in danger
(h/t Dibsa 5/17) - News photographers among crackdown’s latest targets
Many photographers who have been covering the pro-democracy protests taking place in Bahrain since mid-February have been arrested in the past few days. By carrying out these targeted arrests, the Bahraini authorities are trying to limit media coverage of their crackdown on the protests, especially coverage in the international media
(h/t Dibsa 5/17) -
Bahrain's assualt on medical professionals
The United States may not be able to propose solutions for all the Middle East, but it can prescribe the course of events unfolding in some Arab Spring countries. Case in point: Bahrain
COTE D'IVOIRE
(h/t Dibsa 5/19 ) - Ivory Coast asks for ICC probe
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 19 (UPI) -- Ivorian military and political leaders are reminded that serious crimes committed during the country's political impasse won't go unpunished, a tribunal said.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18 ) - Tensions and insecurity persist in western Côte d’Ivoire, UN reports
17 May 2011 –
Security in Côte d’Ivoire’s biggest city, Abidjan, is improving and commercial activities such as retail trade and banking are resuming, but tensions remain high in other parts of the country, notably the west, where outbreaks of violence have been recorded, the United Nations reported today.
DJIBOUTI
(h/t UnaSpenser 4/14 ) -
JIBOUTI: WHY NO ONE CARES
section of article which covers pro-democracy movements throughout Africa
Whilst the world was watching Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Libya, Djibouti had an election on 8 April. With no opposition, a state-controlled media and no civil society movement, it was easy enough for President Omar Guelleh to change the constitution allowing him to run for a third term - thereby continuing 35 year rule by the same family. But this little dictatorship is strategically central to the US Africa Command (2,000 US troops are based here) and the NATO countries. Unlike in Libya, Djibouti's 1 million population can expect no support from the West in their small attempts to have a voice.
EGYPT
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Egypt military says no pardon for Mubarak
CAIRO (AFP) – Egypt's ruling military council dismissed on Wednesday a report that it might pardon ousted leader Hosni Mubarak or his family, saying it does not intervene in judicial affairs
(h/t JustJennifer 5/19) -
Egypt still long way from justice over uprising deaths, says Amnesty
Egypt still has a "mountain to climb" in the battle to achieve justice for the hundreds killed by security forces in this year's anti-Mubarak uprising, according to a new report by Amnesty International.
The government response to public rallies against Mubarak displayed a "flagrant disregard for life", claims the human rights NGO, citing the deliberate shooting of protesters in the head and chest when they were posing no threat.
IRAN
(h/t JustJennifer 5/12 ) - Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may soon be ousted from office by the ayatollahs who control Iran. More importantly, there may be a split within the principal Iranian military/terrorist force that is destabilizing the regime.
This is not another popular uprising like the one that led to the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. But it may be related to the so-called "Arab spring" in an oddly Iranian way.
IRAQ
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Anger Lingers in Iraqi Kurdistan After a Crackdown
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq — The protesters are gone from the central square, pushed out by the brutal tactics of the security forces. The jails have been emptied of the young students and journalists who were rounded up for speaking their mind in public. The wounded are home, quietly nursing their injuries
ISRAEL
(h/t Dibsa 4/21 ) - Israeli leftists call for Palestinian state
TEL AVIV (AFP) – Some 300 Israeli left-wingers, including prominent cultural leaders, gathered in Tel Aviv on Thursday to call for the Jewish state to embrace the creation of a Palestinian state.
The activists met to sign a petition, which is endorsed by 17 winners of the prestigious Israel Prize, in a symbolic ceremony in front of the building where the state of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948.
The ceremony was met with anger by several dozen right-wing protesters who also gathered at the site and had to be kept away by a heavy police presence, an AFP photographer at the scene said
JORDAN
(h/t Dibsa 5/16) - Jordan police say 25 hurt in Nakba clashes
AMMAN - JORDAN'S public security department said on Monday 25 people, including 11 policemen, were injured in clashes when authorities barred demonstrators from marching on Israel's border
(h/t Dibsa 5/13) - Jordanians protest for Palestinian right of return
AMMAN, Jordan – Heeding a call from Palestinian Facebook organizers, several hundred Jordanians took to the streets of the capital Friday demanding a sovereign Palestinian state and that refugees be given the right to return home
KUWAIT
(h/t JustJennifer 5/10) - Kuwaiti legislators walk out in protest at old faces in new cabinet
At least 15 Kuwaiti lawmakers withdrew from Tuesday's parliamentary session as the cabinet was sworn in, to protest the re-appointment of former ministers.
The swearing-in comes two days after Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al- Ahmad al-Sabah appointed the new cabinet, in which he retained all the former key ministers.
LEBANON
(h/t UnaSpenser 04/19 ) - Turkish envoy to Lebanon: Democracy will spread
Turkey's ambassador to Lebanon, Inan Ozyildiz, believes that despite the recent political uncertainty, all political actors in Lebanon are "engaging in dialogue," and expects democracy to take root in every country in the Arab world.
"Although every country in the region has its own characteristics and political history, the people of the Middle East have a common demand: Democracy," said Ozyildiz.
According to Ozyildiz, the Arab world's transition to democracy is late in coming. "These uprisings were kind of late, they should have started immediately after the end of the Cold War," said Ozyildiz.
LIBYA
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Libya's humanitarian crisis is worsening, says UN chief
TRIPOLI (AFP) – Attempts to secure a truce in Libya have failed and the humanitarian crisis is worsening, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has told AFP, while NATO on Thursday said Moamer Kadhafi's military power has been significantly degraded
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Gadhafi's forces shell rebel mountain stronghold
TRIPOLI, Libya – Moammar Gadhafi's forces shelled the main rebel stronghold in a strategic mountain range southwest of the Libyan capital on Thursday, pounding the area with rockets, a resident said
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Gaddafi's wife and daughter flee to Tunisia
MUAMMAR Gaddafi's wife and daughter have fled to Tunisia in a sign of mounting pressure on the dictator, as his inner circle continues to leave Tripoli
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)
BBC Libyan live blog found here. (h/t greenbird)
The New Yorker Dispatches from Libya. (h/t suejazz)
BBC's Libyan crisis mapped. (h/t phil S 33)
revolutionology is a blog from an American in Benghazi
MAURITANIA
(h/t dibsa 4/26) - Mauritanian police use teargas to break up protest
NOUAKCHOTT, April 25 (Reuters) - Security forces using teargas and batons dispersed several hundred anti-government protesters in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on Monday, the most serious clash in the West African state for nearly two months.
MOROCCO
(h/t Dibsa 5/19 ) - Besieged monarchs
The announcement last week in Riyadh that the Gulf Cooperation Council welcomed bids by Jordan and Morocco to join the organisation was met first with grunts of derision and then guffaws of mockery across the Arab world. But analysts are now realising that this is serious initiative by the six-nation member states of the GCC to counter the growing influence of Iran in the region and to find alternative ways of defending their common interests, following successful popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, without having to rely on the United States.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18 ) - Morocco says no secret torture at intelligence HQ
RABAT, May 18 (Reuters) - Morocco's national prosecutor inspected the headquarters of the domestic intelligence service on Wednesday and later denied protesters' claims that it contained a secret prison where detainees are tortured
OMAN
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) -
The world's enduring dictators: Qaboos bin Said, Oman
This is an installment in the WorldWatch series, "The world's enduring dictators," inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, in which CBSNews.com takes a look at the men who continue to rule their lands unimpeded by law. See a complete explanation of the series and a list of others profiled here.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Oman must charge or release detained protesters
The Omani authorities must say where and why they are holding some six people arrested during a recent peaceful protest in the capital Muscat, Amnesty International said today, as more than two dozen others faced trial on protest-related charges.
PALESTINE
(h/t UnaSpenser 05/17) - Palestinian 6-Pronged Protest marks 63rd Nakba
An attempted rescue operation May 15, 2011 saw Palestinians from all neighbouring borders attempting to 'liberate Palestine' through the weapon of peaceful protest. The Nakba day incidents on Israel's borders showed that the Palestinians have finally entered the fray of the Arab revolutinary Spring. This was a 6 pronged challenge to Israel from multiple borders - Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, West Bank and Gaza.
(h/t UnaSpenser 05/17) -
Palestinian refugee camps bury Nakba martyrs
Lebanon’s 12 Palestinian refugee camps declared Monday a day of mourning, as Palestinians laid to rest six of the 11 refugees killed Sunday when Israeli forces opened fire on protesters who had marched to the Lebanese-Israeli border to mark the 63rd anniversary of the “Nakba.”
QATAR
(h/t Dibsa 5/13) - Protests planned in Oman over failure to act on jobs pledge
MUSCAT Protest organisers in Oman were planning demonstrations outside the civil service offices in the capital yesterday, claiming the government has failed to fulfil its promise to create tens of thousands of jobs
SAUDI ARABIA
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Saudi Arabia Defies Mideast Upheaval as Guardian of Status Quo
Saudi Arabia is leading a counter- revolution against the sweeping political changes in the Middle East by using money, force and religion.
SYRIA
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Reporter Describes Captivity in Syria
Dorothy Parvaz, a reporter for Al Jazeera’s English-language Web site who was arrested in Syria last month and then held in Iran until Wednesday, described her detention in a television interview following her release
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - What US sanctions mean for Assad and Syria's crackdown
The US placed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday for the first time since he took office. Now the EU may follow suit
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Syria denounces U.S. sanctions
CNN) -- Syria has denounced U.S. sanctions against its president and senior members of his regime, state TV reported Thursday
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - US tells Syria's Assad to lead transition or leave
DAMASCUS (AFP) – The United States told Syria's President Bashar al-Assad Wednesday to lead a transition in his country or step down, and slapped him with sanctions in its latest effort to press him to end deadly violence against his people.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Journalist detained in Syria released by Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Missing journalist Dorothy Parvaz, who was held by Iranian authorities after being detained in Syria, arrived in her company's home base of Qatar on Wednesday after winning her freedom.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Syrian president: Security forces made mistakes
BEIRUT – Syria's president said the country's security forces have made mistakes during the uprising against his regime, blaming poorly trained police officers at least in part for a crackdown that has killed more than 850 people over the past two months.
TUNISIA
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Tunisian capital curfew lifted
TUNIS (AFP) – An overnight curfew imposed on the Tunisian capital this month after several days of unrest has been lifted, the interior ministry announced Wednesday.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(h/t Dibsa 5/5 ) - FACTBOX-Political risks to watch in the United Arab Emirates
(Reuters) - As political upheaval sweeps through the Arab world, the federation of seven emirates remains one of two unaffected Gulf Arab states, in addition to Qatar.
The per capita incomes of the UAE and Qatar remain among the highest in the world -- eighth and third, respectively -- thanks to their relatively small populations and oil and gas wealth.
(h/t Dibsa 5/4 ) -
UAE: Human rights officials condemn government crackdown
Human rights advocates decried what they called a “crackdown on civil society” in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday after authorities replaced the leadership of the country's teachers association, a well-established group that had called for democratic reforms, with government officials sympathetic to the administration.
“This attack on civil society is further proof that those in power in the UAE see anyone calling for reform as fair game,” Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director of the New York-based nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch, said in a Tuesday statement. “UAE authorities should immediately stop their hostile takeover of civil society and free the peaceful democracy activists.”
WESTERN SAHARA
(h/t Dibsa 5/17) - Killed in Western Sahara by a bomb shaped like a ball
Twenty years after a ceasefire brought a halt to a long-running conflict in Western Sahara, cluster bombs used by the Moroccan armed forces are still claiming victims - among them children attracted by their toy-like size and shape
YEMEN
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Analysts: Turmoil in Yemen Benefiting al-Qaida
U.S. intelligence officials believe al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is now the most significant terrorist threat to the United States, and analysts say the Yemen-based organization is benefiting from the violence and turmoil in that country
(h/t Dibsa 5/19) - Yemen opposition blames Saleh for Gulf plan failure
SANAA (AFP) – Yemen's opposition blamed President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Thursday for the failure of a Gulf plan aimed at ending a bloody political dispute, saying he would do "everything" to remain in power.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) - Yemen rivals fail to sign power transfer deal
SANAA (AFP) – Yemen's political rivals failed Wednesday to sign a Gulf-brokered plan under which veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh would leave office as demanded in almost four months of popular protests.
(h/t Dibsa 5/18) -
Gulf mediator gives up on Yemeni political deal
SANAA, Yemen (AP) — The head of a coalition of Gulf countries seeking to broker an end to Yemen's political crisis gave up on Wednesday and left the country, opposition and government leaders said.
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
WorldWideTahrir{NEW} : Worldwide protests being organized to coincide with the upcoming ones in Egypt.
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
@DrsForLibya - Libya
@libyanexpat - Libya
@lissnp - Iran
@prsianbanoo - Iran
@sandmonkey - Egypt
@JRamyRaoof - Egypt
@Elazul - Egypt
@Ssirgany - Egypt
@sharifkouddous
@monasosh
@ioerror
@ElBaradei
@SultanAlQassemi
@evanchill
@glcarlstrom
@nolanjazeera
@3arabawy
@shadihamid
@bencnn
@arabist
@speaktotweet: Egyptian Voice Tweets on Twitter
Previous Child Diaries:
Egypt and the Region Liveblog Archive by unaspenser
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