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| Syria crisis and Bahrain unrest - Tuesday 24 April | Syria crisis and Bahrain unrest - Tuesday 24 April |
| (3 days later) | |
| 5.00pm: Here's a summary of the latest developments: | 5.00pm: Here's a summary of the latest developments: |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Both the US and the UK have suggested they are losing patience with Kofi Annan's peace initiative amid continuing reports of breaches in the ceasefire. The UK warned of "robust" action against Syria if Annan's mission failed. The US said it won't wait 90 days if Syria continues to flout the initiative. Russia urged the international community to stick by Annan's plan. | • Both the US and the UK have suggested they are losing patience with Kofi Annan's peace initiative amid continuing reports of breaches in the ceasefire. The UK warned of "robust" action against Syria if Annan's mission failed. The US said it won't wait 90 days if Syria continues to flout the initiative. Russia urged the international community to stick by Annan's plan. |
| • Ahmad Fawzi, spokesman for the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has expressed "great concern" about reports that opposition areas are being targeted by government forces after visits by UN monitors. | • Ahmad Fawzi, spokesman for the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has expressed "great concern" about reports that opposition areas are being targeted by government forces after visits by UN monitors. |
| • Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki has warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive". In an interview with al-Hayat newspaper Marzouki urged Assad to go now. "It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people," he said. | • Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki has warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive". In an interview with al-Hayat newspaper Marzouki urged Assad to go now. "It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people," he said. |
| • Both the government and activists continue to blame each other for continuing violence. The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claimed nine people have been killed by the security forces so far today. The state news agency said armed terrorists had killed army officers in Dera'a and Hama. Three intelligence officers were killed in Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a separate incident a car bomb injured three people in the capital. | • Both the government and activists continue to blame each other for continuing violence. The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claimed nine people have been killed by the security forces so far today. The state news agency said armed terrorists had killed army officers in Dera'a and Hama. Three intelligence officers were killed in Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a separate incident a car bomb injured three people in the capital. |
| Bahrain | Bahrain |
| • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". | • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". |
| • Zainab al-Khawaja, one of the daughters of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, has been remanded in custody for seven days for protesting during the Grand Prix, Reuters reports. | • Zainab al-Khawaja, one of the daughters of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, has been remanded in custody for seven days for protesting during the Grand Prix, Reuters reports. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. | • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. |
| 4.29pm: Arab gender wars: Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has weighed in to the debate about Mona Eltahawy's article with a long series of tweets. Here is one of them: | 4.29pm: Arab gender wars: Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has weighed in to the debate about Mona Eltahawy's article with a long series of tweets. Here is one of them: |
| @monaeltahawy "arab/muslim men hate women" is not only orientalist but also prevents dialogue and closes any window for change | @monaeltahawy "arab/muslim men hate women" is not only orientalist but also prevents dialogue and closes any window for change |
| — hossam bahgat (@hossambahgat) April 24, 2012 | — hossam bahgat (@hossambahgat) April 24, 2012 |
| ... and some tweets from others: | ... and some tweets from others: |
| Certainly @Monaeltahawy's FP piece is showing differences, opening discussion, which is positive by itself, whether u agree or not with her | Certainly @Monaeltahawy's FP piece is showing differences, opening discussion, which is positive by itself, whether u agree or not with her |
| — Dima Khatib أنا ديمة (@Dima_Khatib) April 24, 2012 | — Dima Khatib أنا ديمة (@Dima_Khatib) April 24, 2012 |
| So let me get that right: @monaeltahawy is orientalistand our religious scholars who sanction misogyny are what? Liberalwesterners? | So let me get that right: @monaeltahawy is orientalistand our religious scholars who sanction misogyny are what? Liberalwesterners? |
| — Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) April 24, 2012 | — Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) April 24, 2012 |
| Whatever you think abt @monaeltahawy's piece, says a lot that the very ppl she's trying to "liberate" seem to mostly disagree w her. | Whatever you think abt @monaeltahawy's piece, says a lot that the very ppl she's trying to "liberate" seem to mostly disagree w her. |
| — Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) April 24, 2012 | — Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) April 24, 2012 |
| 4.12pm: Bahrain: Matt Lauer of Qorvis, the American PR firm which has a $480,000-a-year contract to polish up the Bahrain government's image, has recommended this article in the International Herald Tribune to his Twitter followers. Unsurprisingly, it paints a picture of normality in the Gulf kingdom: | 4.12pm: Bahrain: Matt Lauer of Qorvis, the American PR firm which has a $480,000-a-year contract to polish up the Bahrain government's image, has recommended this article in the International Herald Tribune to his Twitter followers. Unsurprisingly, it paints a picture of normality in the Gulf kingdom: |
| You had to go to look for the demonstrations to find them. In much of Manama, life went on as usual. I saw no troops in the streets of Manama, and only a few on the way to the circuit. Life was so normal in the sectors of the city where I stayed at my hotel that I was even able to participate again in an open musical jam session at a local bar where I had done the same thing two years ago when covering the race, before the revolution. | You had to go to look for the demonstrations to find them. In much of Manama, life went on as usual. I saw no troops in the streets of Manama, and only a few on the way to the circuit. Life was so normal in the sectors of the city where I stayed at my hotel that I was even able to participate again in an open musical jam session at a local bar where I had done the same thing two years ago when covering the race, before the revolution. |
| The French Canadian band leader told me that life was completely normal for them in their bubble of a world in Manama, even if they knew there was an uprising going on. | The French Canadian band leader told me that life was completely normal for them in their bubble of a world in Manama, even if they knew there was an uprising going on. |
| Although we knew there were demonstrations and violence going on, we felt that the coverage in the news media, and what our friends and family had as an image of the country, was feeding on itself to produce an image of disaster that was not like the life we were encountering here — despite our knowledge of atrocities and demonstrations. | Although we knew there were demonstrations and violence going on, we felt that the coverage in the news media, and what our friends and family had as an image of the country, was feeding on itself to produce an image of disaster that was not like the life we were encountering here — despite our knowledge of atrocities and demonstrations. |
| 3.56pm: Bahrain: The IMF's latest report card on the Bahrain economy is in the main characteristically dry, cautious and apolitical. | 3.56pm: Bahrain: The IMF's latest report card on the Bahrain economy is in the main characteristically dry, cautious and apolitical. |
| But Richard Adams, our colleague in Washington, detects an unusually candid passage for an IMF assessment about the unrest in the Kingdom. | But Richard Adams, our colleague in Washington, detects an unusually candid passage for an IMF assessment about the unrest in the Kingdom. |
| It says: | It says: |
| In light of the continued risks posed by the external and internal challenges, policies should be geared to restoring confidence in the economy, including by finding a lasting resolution to the social unrest, promoting growth, and securing a sustainable fiscal position. | In light of the continued risks posed by the external and internal challenges, policies should be geared to restoring confidence in the economy, including by finding a lasting resolution to the social unrest, promoting growth, and securing a sustainable fiscal position. |
| It also says the unrest has hit growth in Bahrain. | It also says the unrest has hit growth in Bahrain. |
| Disruptions caused by protest activity during the first half of 2011 have weighed on growth which is expected to reach about 2% for the year as a whole, brought down by weaknesses in the financial and tourism sectors. | Disruptions caused by protest activity during the first half of 2011 have weighed on growth which is expected to reach about 2% for the year as a whole, brought down by weaknesses in the financial and tourism sectors. |
| 3.53pm: Media coverage: Four television programmes relating to the Arab Spring have been nominated for this year's Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards. They are: | 3.53pm: Media coverage: Four television programmes relating to the Arab Spring have been nominated for this year's Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards. They are: |
| • BBC News at Ten for coverage of the siege of Homs | • BBC News at Ten for coverage of the siege of Homs |
| • ITV News at Ten for coverage of the battle of Misrata | • ITV News at Ten for coverage of the battle of Misrata |
| • Sky News for their live coverage of the Libyan rebels as they began their dramatic advance towards the centre of Tripoli | • Sky News for their live coverage of the Libyan rebels as they began their dramatic advance towards the centre of Tripoli |
| • Al-Jazeera English (nominated for the first time in the current affairs category) for the documentary Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark | • Al-Jazeera English (nominated for the first time in the current affairs category) for the documentary Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark |
| 3.45pm: Egypt: Better late than never? Former presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei says he is launching a new party to salvage the revolution. | 3.45pm: Egypt: Better late than never? Former presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei says he is launching a new party to salvage the revolution. |
| Establishing a new party to salvage revolution goals: genuine democracy & social justice, goals lost in an inept transition. | Establishing a new party to salvage revolution goals: genuine democracy & social justice, goals lost in an inept transition. |
| — Mohamed ElBaradei (@ElBaradei) April 24, 2012 | — Mohamed ElBaradei (@ElBaradei) April 24, 2012 |
| ElBaradei, the UN's former chief weapons inspector, announced he was quitting the presidential race earlier this year. | ElBaradei, the UN's former chief weapons inspector, announced he was quitting the presidential race earlier this year. |
| 3.38pm: Bahrain: Demonstrations continued today in support of hunger-striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, according to updates from activists. | 3.38pm: Bahrain: Demonstrations continued today in support of hunger-striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, according to updates from activists. |
| #Bahrain.Thousands are protesting right now to demand the immediate release of Al-Khawaja (Day 76 of hunger strike)twitpic.com/9dedfx | #Bahrain.Thousands are protesting right now to demand the immediate release of Al-Khawaja (Day 76 of hunger strike)twitpic.com/9dedfx |
| — S.YousifAlmuhafda (@SAIDYOUSIF) April 24, 2012 | — S.YousifAlmuhafda (@SAIDYOUSIF) April 24, 2012 |
| Our revaluation never stops, the march in Jedhufs solidarity with #Khawaja & other prisoner leaders.#Bahrain twitter.com/SAlwadaei/stat… | Our revaluation never stops, the march in Jedhufs solidarity with #Khawaja & other prisoner leaders.#Bahrain twitter.com/SAlwadaei/stat… |
| — SAYED AHMED ALWADAEI (@SAlwadaei) April 24, 2012 | — SAYED AHMED ALWADAEI (@SAlwadaei) April 24, 2012 |
| 3.28pm: Syria: Ahmad Fawzi, spokesman for the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has expressed "great concern" about reports that opposition areas are being targeted by government forces after visits by UN monitors. | 3.28pm: Syria: Ahmad Fawzi, spokesman for the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has expressed "great concern" about reports that opposition areas are being targeted by government forces after visits by UN monitors. |
| "That is totally unacceptable. It should stop immediately," he told al-Jazeera. | "That is totally unacceptable. It should stop immediately," he told al-Jazeera. |
| 3.14pm: Bahrain: The opposition al-Wefaq movement has responded on Twitter to the Telegraph article by John Yates which we discussed earlier. | 3.14pm: Bahrain: The opposition al-Wefaq movement has responded on Twitter to the Telegraph article by John Yates which we discussed earlier. |
| Referring to Yates's claims about police reform, al-Wefaq says: | Referring to Yates's claims about police reform, al-Wefaq says: |
| "Having seen the brutality of security forces on martyr Salah [Abbas Habib]'s body anyone can hardly believe 'reforming the police' has started ... Clearly Salah was subjected to targeted assassination. Also, [Ahmed] Ismael Hassan was killed by a shotgun directed at him ..." | "Having seen the brutality of security forces on martyr Salah [Abbas Habib]'s body anyone can hardly believe 'reforming the police' has started ... Clearly Salah was subjected to targeted assassination. Also, [Ahmed] Ismael Hassan was killed by a shotgun directed at him ..." |
| Al-Wefaq continues: | Al-Wefaq continues: |
| The problem relates to the 'culture of impunity' as stated by [the] BICI report – amongst state's officials and lower ranked policemen ... Authority can avoid all 'tragic consequences' by announcing that ppl are free to demonstrate and declaring no use of lethal gas and shotgun. | The problem relates to the 'culture of impunity' as stated by [the] BICI report – amongst state's officials and lower ranked policemen ... Authority can avoid all 'tragic consequences' by announcing that ppl are free to demonstrate and declaring no use of lethal gas and shotgun. |
| Zainab al-Khawaja, who tweets under the name @angryarabiya was arrested on Saturday after she sat on a motorway running past Bahrain's financial district demonstrations held to embarrass the kingdom's rulers. | Zainab al-Khawaja, who tweets under the name @angryarabiya was arrested on Saturday after she sat on a motorway running past Bahrain's financial district demonstrations held to embarrass the kingdom's rulers. |
| "They decided yesterday to hold her for seven days for holding up traffic and insulting a public official. She refused to talk in the investigations or to sign papers," said laywer Mohammed al-Jishi. | "They decided yesterday to hold her for seven days for holding up traffic and insulting a public official. She refused to talk in the investigations or to sign papers," said laywer Mohammed al-Jishi. |
| The pro-government al-Bilad newspaper cited the prosecution's charge as "aggressing against a woman police officer by force and verbally insulting her". | The pro-government al-Bilad newspaper cited the prosecution's charge as "aggressing against a woman police officer by force and verbally insulting her". |
| Khawaja, a vocal critic who often leads protest marches, was held for several days in February and December, when a YouTube video at the time showed women officers dragging her away by force; but charges were never pressed. "This time they are being tougher with her," Jishi said, adding she denied insulting the women officers. | Khawaja, a vocal critic who often leads protest marches, was held for several days in February and December, when a YouTube video at the time showed women officers dragging her away by force; but charges were never pressed. "This time they are being tougher with her," Jishi said, adding she denied insulting the women officers. |
| 2.51pm: Morocco: Prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane has hit out at courtiers around King Mohammed in rare criticism that could signify the start of a confrontation between the Islamist-led government and powerful figures close to the palace, Reuters reports. | 2.51pm: Morocco: Prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane has hit out at courtiers around King Mohammed in rare criticism that could signify the start of a confrontation between the Islamist-led government and powerful figures close to the palace, Reuters reports. |
| Moroccan authorities, under pressure from the "Arab Spring" upheavals elsewhere in the region, held early elections last year which for the first time handed power to the opposition PJD party of moderate Islamists. | Moroccan authorities, under pressure from the "Arab Spring" upheavals elsewhere in the region, held early elections last year which for the first time handed power to the opposition PJD party of moderate Islamists. |
| Since then, analysts have been predicting a stand-off between the government, which is committed to tackling corruption and poverty, and a moneyed elite with long-standing ties to the palace. | Since then, analysts have been predicting a stand-off between the government, which is committed to tackling corruption and poverty, and a moneyed elite with long-standing ties to the palace. |
| Prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane spoke out on Sunday after his government's plan to reform state-run television, widely seen as a mouthpiece for the monarchy, was criticised by figures close to the palace. | Prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane spoke out on Sunday after his government's plan to reform state-run television, widely seen as a mouthpiece for the monarchy, was criticised by figures close to the palace. |
| "The Arab Spring is not over yet," Benkirane told a PJD gathering in Rabat, according to remarks carried on Monday by local newspapers. "It (the Arab Spring) is still wandering about and may feel like coming back," he added. | "The Arab Spring is not over yet," Benkirane told a PJD gathering in Rabat, according to remarks carried on Monday by local newspapers. "It (the Arab Spring) is still wandering about and may feel like coming back," he added. |
| "In this country, even the monarchy itself needs citizens who seek reform ... Kings are not always surrounded by the right kind of people, they can actually be surrounded by foes who become the first to desert them." | "In this country, even the monarchy itself needs citizens who seek reform ... Kings are not always surrounded by the right kind of people, they can actually be surrounded by foes who become the first to desert them." |
Benkirane later said in an email to Reuters that his remarks were "taken out of context" – though Reuters says two officials with Benkirane's party confirmed he had made the remarks, which were reported by various news organisations. Reuters adds that any criticism of the palace is highly unusual in Morocco, especially from such a senior politician. | Benkirane later said in an email to Reuters that his remarks were "taken out of context" – though Reuters says two officials with Benkirane's party confirmed he had made the remarks, which were reported by various news organisations. Reuters adds that any criticism of the palace is highly unusual in Morocco, especially from such a senior politician. |
| 2.31pm: Egypt: Another presidential candidate looks set to be banned from next month's election after the military rulers approved a law preventing officials who served recently under Hosni Mubarak from running. | 2.31pm: Egypt: Another presidential candidate looks set to be banned from next month's election after the military rulers approved a law preventing officials who served recently under Hosni Mubarak from running. |
| The law means that Ahmed Shafiq, who briefly served as prime minister, will be disqualified, according to the Egypt Independent. | The law means that Ahmed Shafiq, who briefly served as prime minister, will be disqualified, according to the Egypt Independent. |
| The law won't apply to Amr Moussa, it says. | The law won't apply to Amr Moussa, it says. |
The law would not exclude Amr Moussa, a front-runner who served as Mubarak's foreign minister until 2001 before heading the Arab League, because it extends back only 10 years and does not apply to ex-ministers. | The law would not exclude Amr Moussa, a front-runner who served as Mubarak's foreign minister until 2001 before heading the Arab League, because it extends back only 10 years and does not apply to ex-ministers. |
| Earlier this month the electoral authorities banned 10 candidates including Mubarak's former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman; the Muslim Brotherhood financier Khairat al-Shater and the Salafist Hazem Abu Ismail. | Earlier this month the electoral authorities banned 10 candidates including Mubarak's former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman; the Muslim Brotherhood financier Khairat al-Shater and the Salafist Hazem Abu Ismail. |
| 2.09pm: Syria: International envoy Kofi Annan is expected to brief the UN security council later today on the implementation of his faltering peace plan. | 2.09pm: Syria: International envoy Kofi Annan is expected to brief the UN security council later today on the implementation of his faltering peace plan. |
| Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Centre in Doha, claims Annan's plan is close to "flatlining". | Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Centre in Doha, claims Annan's plan is close to "flatlining". |
| #Annan has v. imp briefing 2 #UNSC tdy. His Plan is close 2 flatlining.Will he demand #UNSC ( read Russia & China) threaten #Assad 2 comply? | #Annan has v. imp briefing 2 #UNSC tdy. His Plan is close 2 flatlining.Will he demand #UNSC ( read Russia & China) threaten #Assad 2 comply? |
| — Salman Shaikh (@Salman_Shaikh1) April 24, 2012 | — Salman Shaikh (@Salman_Shaikh1) April 24, 2012 |
| Earlier, Russia accused unnamed countries of trying to undermine Annan's initiative. Syrian MP Mohammad Zahir al-Qonoum named Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia as the culprits, according to the Iranian news agency Fars News. | Earlier, Russia accused unnamed countries of trying to undermine Annan's initiative. Syrian MP Mohammad Zahir al-Qonoum named Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia as the culprits, according to the Iranian news agency Fars News. |
| 1.58pm: Arab gender wars: A huge ruckus has broken out today over the latest issue of the normally strait-laced Foreign Policy magazine, provocatively labelled "The sex issue". Its cover shows a black-clad woman giving a seductive look through the slit in her hijab – but that's only the start. | 1.58pm: Arab gender wars: A huge ruckus has broken out today over the latest issue of the normally strait-laced Foreign Policy magazine, provocatively labelled "The sex issue". Its cover shows a black-clad woman giving a seductive look through the slit in her hijab – but that's only the start. |
| Most of the controversy surrounds an article by Egyptian-born journalist Mona Eltahawy, entitled "Why do they hate us?" She's not referring to Islamophobes, Israelis or American neocons, but to Arab men. | Most of the controversy surrounds an article by Egyptian-born journalist Mona Eltahawy, entitled "Why do they hate us?" She's not referring to Islamophobes, Israelis or American neocons, but to Arab men. |
| A few quotes: | A few quotes: |
| The hatred of women goes deep in Egyptian society. Those of us who have marched and protested have had to navigate a minefield of sexual assaults by both the regime and its lackeys, and, sadly, at times by our fellow revolutionaries. | The hatred of women goes deep in Egyptian society. Those of us who have marched and protested have had to navigate a minefield of sexual assaults by both the regime and its lackeys, and, sadly, at times by our fellow revolutionaries. |
| On the November day I was sexually assaulted on Mohamed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir Square, by at least four Egyptian riot police, I was first groped by a man in the square itself. While we are eager to expose assaults by the regime, when we're violated by our fellow civilians we immediately assume they're agents of the regime or thugs because we don't want to taint the revolution. | On the November day I was sexually assaulted on Mohamed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir Square, by at least four Egyptian riot police, I was first groped by a man in the square itself. While we are eager to expose assaults by the regime, when we're violated by our fellow civilians we immediately assume they're agents of the regime or thugs because we don't want to taint the revolution. |
| Eltahawy continues: | Eltahawy continues: |
| Call out the hate for what it is. Resist cultural relativism and know that even in countries undergoing revolutions and uprisings, women will remain the cheapest bargaining chips. You -- the outside world -- will be told that it's our "culture" and "religion" to do X, Y, or Z to women. Understand that whoever deemed it as such was never a woman ... | Call out the hate for what it is. Resist cultural relativism and know that even in countries undergoing revolutions and uprisings, women will remain the cheapest bargaining chips. You -- the outside world -- will be told that it's our "culture" and "religion" to do X, Y, or Z to women. Understand that whoever deemed it as such was never a woman ... |
| Our political revolutions will not succeed unless they are accompanied by revolutions of thought -- social, sexual, and cultural revolutions that topple the Mubaraks in our minds as well as our bedrooms ... | Our political revolutions will not succeed unless they are accompanied by revolutions of thought -- social, sexual, and cultural revolutions that topple the Mubaraks in our minds as well as our bedrooms ... |
| We are more than our headscarves and our hymens. Listen to those of us fighting. Amplify the voices of the region and poke the hatred in its eye. There was a time when being an Islamist was the most vulnerable political position in Egypt and Tunisia. Understand that now it very well might be Woman. As it always has been. | We are more than our headscarves and our hymens. Listen to those of us fighting. Amplify the voices of the region and poke the hatred in its eye. There was a time when being an Islamist was the most vulnerable political position in Egypt and Tunisia. Understand that now it very well might be Woman. As it always has been. |
| On Twitter, the article seems to have touched some raw nerves, and has prompted at least two ripostes from female Arab bloggers. | On Twitter, the article seems to have touched some raw nerves, and has prompted at least two ripostes from female Arab bloggers. |
| Samia Errazzouki tells Eltahawy: "You do not represent 'Us'." The entire article, she says, "is framed in a way that portrays Arab women as helpless, and in need of rescue and protection" – which she describes as "a convenient narrative" for Foreign Policy's mostly western-based readership. She continues: | Samia Errazzouki tells Eltahawy: "You do not represent 'Us'." The entire article, she says, "is framed in a way that portrays Arab women as helpless, and in need of rescue and protection" – which she describes as "a convenient narrative" for Foreign Policy's mostly western-based readership. She continues: |
| Mona entirely neglects the socioeconomic roots of gender inequality, the rise of authoritarian regimes in a post-colonialist context, the remnants of dehumanization and oppression from colonialism, the systematic exclusion of women from the political system or those who are used as convenient tools for the regime. There is more to gender inequality than just "hate". | Mona entirely neglects the socioeconomic roots of gender inequality, the rise of authoritarian regimes in a post-colonialist context, the remnants of dehumanization and oppression from colonialism, the systematic exclusion of women from the political system or those who are used as convenient tools for the regime. There is more to gender inequality than just "hate". |
| Meanwhile, blogger Mona Kareem writes: | Meanwhile, blogger Mona Kareem writes: |
| My twitter timeline has been boiling with discussions over Mona Eltahawy's latest article "Why do they hate us?" ... The title is catchy and I honestly thought it was referring to the authoritarian power in [Egypt's] current military era considering the criminal violations of women rights especially within a political context as it aims to exclude women from taking part of the political life by brutalising them and showing them as fragile and vulnerable. | My twitter timeline has been boiling with discussions over Mona Eltahawy's latest article "Why do they hate us?" ... The title is catchy and I honestly thought it was referring to the authoritarian power in [Egypt's] current military era considering the criminal violations of women rights especially within a political context as it aims to exclude women from taking part of the political life by brutalising them and showing them as fragile and vulnerable. |
| She continues: | She continues: |
| The issue at stake here is not whether women are discriminated against in the Arab world or not, as such an argument is already established and is only denied by Islamist maniacs. The issue here is: how the hell can those violations prove an argument of "hate". | The issue at stake here is not whether women are discriminated against in the Arab world or not, as such an argument is already established and is only denied by Islamist maniacs. The issue here is: how the hell can those violations prove an argument of "hate". |
| Eltahawy advocates against Arab claims that "Jews or Israelis" hate us, but she uses the same logic when she puts Arab men under an umbrella of a human emotion, "hate". What should be considered is that we live in societies of patriarchy; the common religious texts are established on this patriarchy, and so and so forth. | Eltahawy advocates against Arab claims that "Jews or Israelis" hate us, but she uses the same logic when she puts Arab men under an umbrella of a human emotion, "hate". What should be considered is that we live in societies of patriarchy; the common religious texts are established on this patriarchy, and so and so forth. |
| Her claim does not only degrade Arab culture in general but also patronises the Arab human and Arab feminism and makes the whole struggle for gender equality a conflict between the two sexes based on personal emotions. | Her claim does not only degrade Arab culture in general but also patronises the Arab human and Arab feminism and makes the whole struggle for gender equality a conflict between the two sexes based on personal emotions. |
| 1.21pm: Egypt: The Muslim Brotherhood will not be using its famous slogan "Islam is the solution" in the coming presidential election, the Egypt Independent reports. It says the movement's candidate, Mohamed Morsi, will use "Renaissance is the will of the nation" instead. | 1.21pm: Egypt: The Muslim Brotherhood will not be using its famous slogan "Islam is the solution" in the coming presidential election, the Egypt Independent reports. It says the movement's candidate, Mohamed Morsi, will use "Renaissance is the will of the nation" instead. |
| The decision follows objections from the electoral commission on the grounds that the Brotherhood's long-standing slogan is religious rather than political. | The decision follows objections from the electoral commission on the grounds that the Brotherhood's long-standing slogan is religious rather than political. |
| The Egypt Independent points out that there have been similar battles over the slogan in previous elections. | The Egypt Independent points out that there have been similar battles over the slogan in previous elections. |
| 12.37pm: Syria: Another area of Syria has been attacked by the Syria army following a monitoring visit by UN observers, according to activists. | 12.37pm: Syria: Another area of Syria has been attacked by the Syria army following a monitoring visit by UN observers, according to activists. |
| Yesterday, UN monitors were filmed being mobbed by thousands of anti-government demonstrators in the Damascus suburb of Douma. | Yesterday, UN monitors were filmed being mobbed by thousands of anti-government demonstrators in the Damascus suburb of Douma. |
| Now tanks have been filmed moving into the area, according to footage circulated by activists. | |
| An alleged massacre in Hama yesterday came after a UN monitoring visit. | An alleged massacre in Hama yesterday came after a UN monitoring visit. |
| Activist Mashaa al-Arbaeen said: "Those observers brought destruction upon us. Any area they visit, the regime attacks. It's a tragedy." | Activist Mashaa al-Arbaeen said: "Those observers brought destruction upon us. Any area they visit, the regime attacks. It's a tragedy." |
| 12.24pm: Bahrain: Journalist Mazen Mahdi is tweeting from a press conference given by the opposition al-Wefaq movement about Salah Abbas Habib, the protester who was found dead on Saturday. | 12.24pm: Bahrain: Journalist Mazen Mahdi is tweeting from a press conference given by the opposition al-Wefaq movement about Salah Abbas Habib, the protester who was found dead on Saturday. |
| Dr Taha Al-Durazi, who is said to have examined the dead man, has been giving a report: | Dr Taha Al-Durazi, who is said to have examined the dead man, has been giving a report: |
| Dr Taha (examined Salah ) say that they saw 10 different type of injuries and say 4 possible causes of deaths#Bahrain | Dr Taha (examined Salah ) say that they saw 10 different type of injuries and say 4 possible causes of deaths#Bahrain |
| — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 | — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 |
| Dr Taha say that they are not clear why medical examiner report did not list all injuries they saw | Dr Taha say that they are not clear why medical examiner report did not list all injuries they saw |
| — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 | — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 |
| Dr Taha say that burns visible to chest and abdominal of Salah "friction burns" likely caused by dragging #Bahrain | Dr Taha say that burns visible to chest and abdominal of Salah "friction burns" likely caused by dragging #Bahrain |
| — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 | — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 |
| Dr Taha speak about multiple broken injuries to Salah and say he noticed medical examiner reports of recent deaths not all accurate | Dr Taha speak about multiple broken injuries to Salah and say he noticed medical examiner reports of recent deaths not all accurate |
| — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 | — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 |
| 12.20pm: Here's a summary of events so far today: | 12.20pm: Here's a summary of events so far today: |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Both the US and the UK have suggested they are losing patience with Kofi Annan's peace initiative amid continuing reports of breaches in the ceasefire. The UK warned of "robust" action against Syria if Annan's mission failed. The US said it won't wait 90 days if Syria continues to flout the initiative. Russia urged the international community to stick by Annan's plan. | • Both the US and the UK have suggested they are losing patience with Kofi Annan's peace initiative amid continuing reports of breaches in the ceasefire. The UK warned of "robust" action against Syria if Annan's mission failed. The US said it won't wait 90 days if Syria continues to flout the initiative. Russia urged the international community to stick by Annan's plan. |
| • Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive". In an interview with al-Hayat newspaper Marzouki urged Assad to go now. "It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people," he said. | • Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive". In an interview with al-Hayat newspaper Marzouki urged Assad to go now. "It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people," he said. |
| • Both the government and activists continue to blame each other for continuing violence. The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claimed nine people have been killed by the security forces so far today. The state news agency said armed terrorists had killed army officers in Dera'a and Hama. Three intelligence officers were killed in Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a separate incident a car bomb injured three people in the capital. | • Both the government and activists continue to blame each other for continuing violence. The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claimed nine people have been killed by the security forces so far today. The state news agency said armed terrorists had killed army officers in Dera'a and Hama. Three intelligence officers were killed in Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a separate incident a car bomb injured three people in the capital. |
| • President Barack Obama has signed an executive order targeting people and entities who use technology to help authoritarian regimes in Iran and Syria suppress their people. "Technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to oppress them," Obama said on Monday at a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. | • President Barack Obama has signed an executive order targeting people and entities who use technology to help authoritarian regimes in Iran and Syria suppress their people. "Technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to oppress them," Obama said on Monday at a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. |
| Bahrain | Bahrain |
| • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". | • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. | • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. |
| 12.18pm: Yemen: General Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar, the air force chief who had been refusing to quit – despite being sacked by the president more than two weeks ago – has finally stepped down today, reports say. | 12.18pm: Yemen: General Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar, the air force chief who had been refusing to quit – despite being sacked by the president more than two weeks ago – has finally stepped down today, reports say. |
| The general – a half-brother of ex-President Saleh – was one of several key members of the old regime that the new president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, had been trying to replace. On hearing of his dismissal, Ahmar reportedly made threats against Sana'a airport, which was then temporarily closed. | The general – a half-brother of ex-President Saleh – was one of several key members of the old regime that the new president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, had been trying to replace. On hearing of his dismissal, Ahmar reportedly made threats against Sana'a airport, which was then temporarily closed. |
| 11.50am: Bahrain: The Guardian's video desk has footage of thousands of protesters attending the funeral of Salah Abbas Habib - an anti-government protester alleged to have been killed in clashes with riot police in the lead-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix.< /p> Violence flared after the ceremony, with police firing teargas at demonstrators and stones thrown at a police station | |
Violence flared after the ceremony, with police firing teargas at demonstrators and stones thrown at a police station | |
| 11.48am: Syria: The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claims nine people have been killed so far today. Six were killed in Homs, it says. | 11.48am: Syria: The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, claims nine people have been killed so far today. Six were killed in Homs, it says. |
| Homs-based activist @Samsomhoms says the arrival of UN monitors has not stopped the violence. | Homs-based activist @Samsomhoms says the arrival of UN monitors has not stopped the violence. |
| Despite presence of observers in # Homs , snipers continue to randomly target people, like in Khaldiyeh & western Corniche yday #Syria | Despite presence of observers in # Homs , snipers continue to randomly target people, like in Khaldiyeh & western Corniche yday #Syria |
| — Samsom homs (@Samsomhoms) April 24, 2012 | — Samsom homs (@Samsomhoms) April 24, 2012 |
| 11.44am: Bahrain: We've been taking a closer look at that article by John Yates, the former London police chief who is now advising the Bahrain government. | 11.44am: Bahrain: We've been taking a closer look at that article by John Yates, the former London police chief who is now advising the Bahrain government. |
| Yates expressed bewilderment "at the level of animosity and bile" shown towards the kingdom, and "the media bias". Twitter users, meanwhile, have been expressing their own bewilderment at Yates and his article. | Yates expressed bewilderment "at the level of animosity and bile" shown towards the kingdom, and "the media bias". Twitter users, meanwhile, have been expressing their own bewilderment at Yates and his article. |
| Some point out that the accusations of media bias come from a man who is in the far-from-impartial position of being employed by Bahrain's rulers: | Some point out that the accusations of media bias come from a man who is in the far-from-impartial position of being employed by Bahrain's rulers: |
| RT @Axoncell @chanadbh remind me but Yates works and is paid by #Bahrain Gov on the other hand all other INDEPENDENT journalist are biased ! | RT @Axoncell @chanadbh remind me but Yates works and is paid by #Bahrain Gov on the other hand all other INDEPENDENT journalist are biased ! |
| — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 | — Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) April 24, 2012 |
| In his article, Yates says: | In his article, Yates says: |
| Some commentators have suggested that this great sporting event was in some way a PR stunt to legitimise the government and to send a message to the world that everything is fine. | Some commentators have suggested that this great sporting event was in some way a PR stunt to legitimise the government and to send a message to the world that everything is fine. |
| No one seriously disputes that this was the government's intention. The official slogan for the race was: "UniF1ed: One Nation in Celebration". | No one seriously disputes that this was the government's intention. The official slogan for the race was: "UniF1ed: One Nation in Celebration". |
| Yates also claims that the regime, after acknowledging mistakes, is changing its ways. Following the "brave step" of setting up the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) last year, it is now pushing through the commission's recommendations. | Yates also claims that the regime, after acknowledging mistakes, is changing its ways. Following the "brave step" of setting up the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) last year, it is now pushing through the commission's recommendations. |
| Human rights organisations, while accepting that some changes have been made, disagree that real change is under way. Last week, Human Rights Watch said: | Human rights organisations, while accepting that some changes have been made, disagree that real change is under way. Last week, Human Rights Watch said: |
| Despite evidence that the Bahraini security forces have engaged in widespread torture, no senior figures have been brought to justice for these crimes. And while the guilty remain at large, thousands have been convicted and incarcerated, not for genuine criminal offences but for peaceful protest. | Despite evidence that the Bahraini security forces have engaged in widespread torture, no senior figures have been brought to justice for these crimes. And while the guilty remain at large, thousands have been convicted and incarcerated, not for genuine criminal offences but for peaceful protest. |
| Yates also says a new code of conduct for the police has been published – though it doesn't seem to have prevented the police from standing by while a Shia-owned supermarket was ransacked or increasingly resorting to the use of birdshot against protesters. | Yates also says a new code of conduct for the police has been published – though it doesn't seem to have prevented the police from standing by while a Shia-owned supermarket was ransacked or increasingly resorting to the use of birdshot against protesters. |
| On Twitter, Fatema Abuidrees comments: | On Twitter, Fatema Abuidrees comments: |
| So if #JohnYates was bought in 'to reform the police force', will we get someone to reform John Yates? #Bahrain | So if #JohnYates was bought in 'to reform the police force', will we get someone to reform John Yates? #Bahrain |
| — Fatema Abuidrees (@FatemaAbuidrees) April 24, 2012 | — Fatema Abuidrees (@FatemaAbuidrees) April 24, 2012 |
| Yates is probably right when he points out that coverage of the protesters' case has increased as a result of the grand prix: | Yates is probably right when he points out that coverage of the protesters' case has increased as a result of the grand prix: |
| If the Grand Prix had been cancelled, 200 journalists would not have been in the country to report on the demonstrators' grievances. | If the Grand Prix had been cancelled, 200 journalists would not have been in the country to report on the demonstrators' grievances. |
| However, this overlooks the government's efforts to control the coverage through selective issuing of visas, forcing some of the journalists to leave, and arresting the Channel 4 crew together with their Bahraini helpers. | However, this overlooks the government's efforts to control the coverage through selective issuing of visas, forcing some of the journalists to leave, and arresting the Channel 4 crew together with their Bahraini helpers. |
| C4 journalists covering the protests are being deported from Bahrain. @millerC4 is tweeting his first hand POV | C4 journalists covering the protests are being deported from Bahrain. @millerC4 is tweeting his first hand POV |
| — Rachel Bremer (@rbremer) April 23, 2012 | — Rachel Bremer (@rbremer) April 23, 2012 |
| 11.25am: Syria: As the US and UK appear to be looking beyond Annan's troubled peace plan, Russia is sticking by it. | 11.25am: Syria: As the US and UK appear to be looking beyond Annan's troubled peace plan, Russia is sticking by it. |
| RIA Novosti quoted foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as saying: "I hope that those who are trying to disrupt the UN observer mission in Syria won't be able to carry out their plans." | RIA Novosti quoted foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as saying: "I hope that those who are trying to disrupt the UN observer mission in Syria won't be able to carry out their plans." |
| He described the observer mission as "definitely a positive factor". | He described the observer mission as "definitely a positive factor". |
| 11.17am: Syria: The UN's food agency says it will soon deliver help to 500,000 people in Syria. | 11.17am: Syria: The UN's food agency says it will soon deliver help to 500,000 people in Syria. |
| Even after the increase, the UN says there are still around a million more who don't have enough to eat. | Even after the increase, the UN says there are still around a million more who don't have enough to eat. |
| The World Food Program (WFP) says it will provide food for 250,000 people by the end of the month with help from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. It plans to quickly double that "in the coming weeks" and focus on Homs, Hama, Idlib and Damascus. | The World Food Program (WFP) says it will provide food for 250,000 people by the end of the month with help from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. It plans to quickly double that "in the coming weeks" and focus on Homs, Hama, Idlib and Damascus. |
| WFP has been providing food assistance for up to 100,000 people a month in cities such as Homs, Hama, Idleb and Damascus, working with its partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). This week it also began distributing hot meals to Syrian refugees living in neighbouring Jordan. | WFP has been providing food assistance for up to 100,000 people a month in cities such as Homs, Hama, Idleb and Damascus, working with its partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). This week it also began distributing hot meals to Syrian refugees living in neighbouring Jordan. |
| "As the conflict continues, Syrians in areas affected by the violence are struggling to feed their families and WFP is deeply concerned about the potential for food insecurity," said executive director Ertharin Cousin. | "As the conflict continues, Syrians in areas affected by the violence are struggling to feed their families and WFP is deeply concerned about the potential for food insecurity," said executive director Ertharin Cousin. |
| 10.56am: Syria: Protecting minority rights is the key to diverting Syria away from the current escalating crisis towards a political solution, argues Middle East analyst Mokhtar Benabdallaoui. | 10.56am: Syria: Protecting minority rights is the key to diverting Syria away from the current escalating crisis towards a political solution, argues Middle East analyst Mokhtar Benabdallaoui. |
| Writing on Comment is Free he says: | Writing on Comment is Free he says: |
| Syria needs .... a modus vivendi by which, at least initially, assurances are presented to Alawites, Christians, and Druze that whichever system replaces the current one, it will not be dominated by the majority. | Syria needs .... a modus vivendi by which, at least initially, assurances are presented to Alawites, Christians, and Druze that whichever system replaces the current one, it will not be dominated by the majority. |
| The process should be based on a clear roadmap: stipulate the return of the army to its barracks, remove weapons from the hands of insurgents, allow the presence of international monitors, and open a national debate under the auspices of regional and international forums. | The process should be based on a clear roadmap: stipulate the return of the army to its barracks, remove weapons from the hands of insurgents, allow the presence of international monitors, and open a national debate under the auspices of regional and international forums. |
| In addition, a successful transition will require a parallel process of national reconciliation between these communities, where there is neither victor nor vanquished. However, this process should be careful not to institutionalise these community structures – such as the political preferences given to each sectarian group in Lebanon – which can shackle a transition towards stability and democracy. | In addition, a successful transition will require a parallel process of national reconciliation between these communities, where there is neither victor nor vanquished. However, this process should be careful not to institutionalise these community structures – such as the political preferences given to each sectarian group in Lebanon – which can shackle a transition towards stability and democracy. |
| The process must protect minority rights, which are essential to democratic government. This is still achievable and can help Syrians avoid the chronic gridlock of political life in Lebanon, and more recently in Iraq, as well as the tens of thousands of casualties that would result from a prolonged civil war. | The process must protect minority rights, which are essential to democratic government. This is still achievable and can help Syrians avoid the chronic gridlock of political life in Lebanon, and more recently in Iraq, as well as the tens of thousands of casualties that would result from a prolonged civil war. |
| 10.31am: Bahrain: Amnesty has more criticism of Bahrain to bewilder John Yates, this time over the delay of the appeal for hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and fellow political prisoners. | 10.31am: Bahrain: Amnesty has more criticism of Bahrain to bewilder John Yates, this time over the delay of the appeal for hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and fellow political prisoners. |
| Its Middle East deputy director Hasiba Hadj Sahraoui said: | Its Middle East deputy director Hasiba Hadj Sahraoui said: |
| The Bahrain authorities' delaying tactics are toying with the life of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who is on death's doorstep as he enters his 75th day on hunger strike. | The Bahrain authorities' delaying tactics are toying with the life of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who is on death's doorstep as he enters his 75th day on hunger strike. |
| He and the 13 other defendants in this case are prisoners of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression amid anti-government protests last year. | He and the 13 other defendants in this case are prisoners of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression amid anti-government protests last year. |
| The Grand Prix has come and gone but for the people of Bahrain the media spotlight has moved on while Bahrain's authorities have yet to turn the corner on the human rights situation in the country. | The Grand Prix has come and gone but for the people of Bahrain the media spotlight has moved on while Bahrain's authorities have yet to turn the corner on the human rights situation in the country. |
| 10.19am: Syria: Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki (pictured), has warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive", according to al-Arabiya citing an interview in al-Hayat. | 10.19am: Syria: Tunisia's president, Moncef Marzouki (pictured), has warned Bashar al-Assad that he is "finished" and will leave Syria "dead or alive", according to al-Arabiya citing an interview in al-Hayat. |
| It quotes Marzouki as saying: | It quotes Marzouki as saying: |
| The Russians, Chinese and Iranians must understand that this man (Assad) is finished and that it is no longer possible to defend him. | The Russians, Chinese and Iranians must understand that this man (Assad) is finished and that it is no longer possible to defend him. |
| You [Assad] will leave, in one way or another. You will leave, dead or alive. It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people. | You [Assad] will leave, in one way or another. You will leave, dead or alive. It is best for you and your family to leave alive because if you decide to leave dead, this would mean that you will cause the death of tens of thousands of innocent people. |
| 10.04am: Bahrain: President Obama's crackdown on the "malign use of technology" in connection with human rights abuses in Iran and Syria has led Twitter users to question why it doesn't apply to Bahrain too. | 10.04am: Bahrain: President Obama's crackdown on the "malign use of technology" in connection with human rights abuses in Iran and Syria has led Twitter users to question why it doesn't apply to Bahrain too. |
| Last August, Bloomberg reported the case of Abdul Ghani Al Khanjar, a Bahraini whose torturers had obtained transcripts of his text messages and details from personal mobile phone conversations. | Last August, Bloomberg reported the case of Abdul Ghani Al Khanjar, a Bahraini whose torturers had obtained transcripts of his text messages and details from personal mobile phone conversations. |
| According to Bloomberg, the equipment used to intercept this information was sold by Siemens AG (SIE), and maintained by Nokia Siemens Networks and Trovicor GmbH. | According to Bloomberg, the equipment used to intercept this information was sold by Siemens AG (SIE), and maintained by Nokia Siemens Networks and Trovicor GmbH. |
| The only way officers could have obtained messages was through the interception programme, says Ahmed Aldoseri, director of information and communications technologies at Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. | The only way officers could have obtained messages was through the interception programme, says Ahmed Aldoseri, director of information and communications technologies at Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. |
| While he won't disclose details about the programme, he says, "If they have a transcript of an SMS message, it's because the security organ was monitoring the user at their monitoring center." | While he won't disclose details about the programme, he says, "If they have a transcript of an SMS message, it's because the security organ was monitoring the user at their monitoring center." |
| The use of the system for interrogation in Bahrain illustrates how western-produced surveillance technology sold to one authoritarian government became an investigative tool of choice to gather information about political dissidents – and silence them. | The use of the system for interrogation in Bahrain illustrates how western-produced surveillance technology sold to one authoritarian government became an investigative tool of choice to gather information about political dissidents – and silence them. |
| 9.55am: Syria: Rebel groups have killed a number of members of the security forces, according to separate reports. | 9.55am: Syria: Rebel groups have killed a number of members of the security forces, according to separate reports. |
| The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three intelligence officers were killed in the Barzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, according to AP. It gave no further details. | The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three intelligence officers were killed in the Barzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, according to AP. It gave no further details. |
| The state news agency, Sana, said armed groups killed a Lieutenant Colonel in the Dera'a countryside and a colonel and a warrant officer in the central city of Hama, in separate attacks. | The state news agency, Sana, said armed groups killed a Lieutenant Colonel in the Dera'a countryside and a colonel and a warrant officer in the central city of Hama, in separate attacks. |
| The reports can't be independently verified. | The reports can't be independently verified. |
| 9.49am: Bahrain: The Formula One grand prix provided an "enthralling weekend" in Bahrain, the chairman of Bahrain International Circuit, businessman Zayed Alzayani, says in a congratulatory statement emailed this morning. | 9.49am: Bahrain: The Formula One grand prix provided an "enthralling weekend" in Bahrain, the chairman of Bahrain International Circuit, businessman Zayed Alzayani, says in a congratulatory statement emailed this morning. |
| Hosting such a big event would not be possible without the enormous hard work of all involved, including the marshals, other volunteers and my team at BIC and I would like to thank all of them for their efforts. | Hosting such a big event would not be possible without the enormous hard work of all involved, including the marshals, other volunteers and my team at BIC and I would like to thank all of them for their efforts. |
| I am pleased to say that we have had a great level of support for this race weekend. | I am pleased to say that we have had a great level of support for this race weekend. |
| Alzayani says the race attracted 28,000 paying spectators. The circuit's website says the stadium has a capacity for 45,000 spectators. | Alzayani says the race attracted 28,000 paying spectators. The circuit's website says the stadium has a capacity for 45,000 spectators. |
| Alzayani cited "an independent survey" showing that 77% of Bahrainis support the race. | Alzayani cited "an independent survey" showing that 77% of Bahrainis support the race. |
| He adds that BIC is planning to host a number of other motorsport events this year, including GP2 next week, the World Endurance Championship in September and the World Karting Championship in November." | He adds that BIC is planning to host a number of other motorsport events this year, including GP2 next week, the World Endurance Championship in September and the World Karting Championship in November." |
| 9.39am: Syria: Britain's ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, warned Syria of "robust consequences" if it continues to renege on Kofi Annan's six point peace plan. | 9.39am: Syria: Britain's ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, warned Syria of "robust consequences" if it continues to renege on Kofi Annan's six point peace plan. |
| In a statement to the security council, Lyall Grant said: | In a statement to the security council, Lyall Grant said: |
| It is essential that the Syrian regime now meets its commitments on troop movements and heavy weapons, and ensures the conditions that will allow the mission to operate effectively, such as unhindered freedom of movement and access. This Council will be receiving regular and frequent reports – starting tomorrow. Failure of the regime to meet its commitments or any attempt to hinder the work of the Mission must be met by real and robust consequences. | It is essential that the Syrian regime now meets its commitments on troop movements and heavy weapons, and ensures the conditions that will allow the mission to operate effectively, such as unhindered freedom of movement and access. This Council will be receiving regular and frequent reports – starting tomorrow. Failure of the regime to meet its commitments or any attempt to hinder the work of the Mission must be met by real and robust consequences. |
| Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, urged the international community to be patient. | Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, urged the international community to be patient. |
| Too early to dismiss #Syria monitoring mission. Given #Assad record, odds are against it. Maybe arrival of 300 extra obs can make difference | Too early to dismiss #Syria monitoring mission. Given #Assad record, odds are against it. Maybe arrival of 300 extra obs can make difference |
| — Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) April 24, 2012 | — Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) April 24, 2012 |
| 9.24am: Syria: A car bomb in central Damascus has injured at least three people, according to the BBC and al-Jazeera's Rula Amin, citing Syrian state TV. | 9.24am: Syria: A car bomb in central Damascus has injured at least three people, according to the BBC and al-Jazeera's Rula Amin, citing Syrian state TV. |
| Activists said a "huge explosion" was heard in the city's Marjeh Square. | Activists said a "huge explosion" was heard in the city's Marjeh Square. |
| State TV said a "booby-trapped" vehicle exploded in central Damascus, according to the Lebanon news site Naharnet. | State TV said a "booby-trapped" vehicle exploded in central Damascus, according to the Lebanon news site Naharnet. |
| 8.34am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. The full scale of an alleged massacre in Hama, following the visit of UN monitors, is becoming clearer as the US warns Syria that its patience is running out. | 8.34am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. The full scale of an alleged massacre in Hama, following the visit of UN monitors, is becoming clearer as the US warns Syria that its patience is running out. |
| Here's a roundup of the latest developments | Here's a roundup of the latest developments |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Activists claim the Syrian army killed dozens of people in a bombardment of the city of Hama after a visit by UN monitors. The Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria said 50 people were killed in the city. It named 13 of them who were killed in a direct hit by a tank shell on a home in Arbaeen, in the east of the city. Dozens of videos purporting to show the victims of the massacre and their funerals have emerged. p> Video footage of the Arbaeen area showed several homes completely flattened by the attack. | |
| • UN observers have made a brief visit to Homs after initially being denied entry to the city. p> The observers promised to established a fixed schedule of visits starting today. | |
| • Susan Rice, US ambassador to the UN, warned that the US would not wait 90 days if the Syrian government continued to flout the ceasefire. "The Syrian regime should make no mistake: we will be watching its actions day and night," she said. | • Susan Rice, US ambassador to the UN, warned that the US would not wait 90 days if the Syrian government continued to flout the ceasefire. "The Syrian regime should make no mistake: we will be watching its actions day and night," she said. |
| • President Barack Obama has signed an executive order targeting people and entities who use technology to help authoritarian regimes in Iran and Syria suppress their people. "Technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to oppress them," Obama said on Monday at a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. | • President Barack Obama has signed an executive order targeting people and entities who use technology to help authoritarian regimes in Iran and Syria suppress their people. "Technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to oppress them," Obama said on Monday at a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. |
| Bahrain | Bahrain |
| • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". | • John Yates, the UK's former head of counter terrorism turned adviser to the Bahraini police, says he is "bewildered" by the level of criticism aimed at the Bahraini government. But in an article for the Telegraph he admitted that "challenges remain". |
| The decision not to give visas to certain correspondents is one, as the Crown Prince said, that the government may wish to reflect upon. The death over the weekend of Salah Abbas al-Qattan, an anti-government protester, is also a powerful reminder of the tragic consequences of the unrest. However, the determination of the police chief to establish how Salah died and the level of resources now being applied to the investigation is testament to the new resolve to fix things. | The decision not to give visas to certain correspondents is one, as the Crown Prince said, that the government may wish to reflect upon. The death over the weekend of Salah Abbas al-Qattan, an anti-government protester, is also a powerful reminder of the tragic consequences of the unrest. However, the determination of the police chief to establish how Salah died and the level of resources now being applied to the investigation is testament to the new resolve to fix things. |
| • Bahrain's highest appeals court has delayed giving a verdict on a jailed hunger striker and other activists seeking to overturn long sentences handed out for their part in pro-democracy protests last year. The court, which had been due to give a ruling yesterday, set the next hearing for 30 April amid claims by the family of the hunger striker, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, that his health is in sharp decline 11 weeks into his protest.Bahrain officials insist Khawaja faces no immediate medical risks. | • Bahrain's highest appeals court has delayed giving a verdict on a jailed hunger striker and other activists seeking to overturn long sentences handed out for their part in pro-democracy protests last year. The court, which had been due to give a ruling yesterday, set the next hearing for 30 April amid claims by the family of the hunger striker, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, that his health is in sharp decline 11 weeks into his protest.Bahrain officials insist Khawaja faces no immediate medical risks. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. | • Saudi Arabia has suggested it may pardon an Egyptian human rights lawyer after his arrest sparked outrage in Egypt. Ahmed Gizawy was sentenced to a year in jail and 20 lashes for criticizing the King Abdullah after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend imprisoned Egyptian, Egyptian Chronicles reports. |
| • The latest Arabist podcast includes a useful and entertaining look ahead to next month's presidential election with discussions of the key candidates left in the race. > It also reviews the "train wreck" of Egypt's political transition. Issandr El Amrani argues that the leading Islamist candidates Khairat al-Shater and Hazem Abu Ismail only have themselves to blame for their disqualification because they helped draw up the the arbitrary and unfair election rules which they have fallen victim to. | |
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