Bahrain – a Challenge Repeated

After I compared the coverage of Syria and Bahrain, I received (among others) this very clearly and competently written posting from Jessica Willard: ‘Mr. Hitchens seems to have swallowed the romantic tale of a crushed revolution that the well-funded political opposition in Bahrain want you to believe. The only problem is that while it may look accurate from afar, if you actually lived in Bahrain you would know what a fascinating tale of fantasy it really is. Doctors were not arrested for treating patients and Saudi Arabia did not invade -- or even have a role in dealing with protests. They secured strategic vital interests like those related to the oil industry. Were there some excesses in Bahrain in the spring of 2011 by the government? Indeed, and the government is the ONLY party that has stepped up to face accountability with an independent fact-finding mission. In the meantime, both the theocratically guided Wefaq and the radical violent youth known as the Feb14 Coalition have not joined any efforts for dialogue and political resolution. I have lived in Bahrain for quite some time and I feel confident they are on the right path of development and reform, when clearly Syria is not. I realize you have no love of the Arab world, Mr. Hitchens, but at least try to be accurate.’

On Monday I replied with this challenge:

‘In response to those who have contributed in support of the Bahrain government, I made no particular comment on the matter, except for the imbalance and selectivity of Western concern.  I can only go on what I’ve read. But I’d like Jessica Willard  (who says :’ Doctors were not arrested for treating patients and Saudi Arabia did not invade -- or even have a role in dealing with protests. They secured strategic vital interests like those related to the oil industry.) to comment on the following:

First ( from the Daily Telegraph, 15th June) :’ BAHRAIN faced renewed international scrutiny yesterday after its court of appeal upheld the convictions of nine Shia doctors and nurses arrested during last year's thwarted pro–democracy uprising. And the Independent of the same date (sourced to AP) :’ An appeals court has sentenced nine medical staff accused of aiding last February's anti-government uprising to jail terms, while setting free another nine. The court upheld 15-year sentences against two doctors who fled Bahrain. The other sentences ranged from five years to one month.

The verdicts come nearly eight months after the 20 defendants were jailed for between five and 15 years by a now-disbanded security tribunal, set up by the Sunni monarchy as part of crackdowns against Shia-led protests. A retrial in a civilian court was later ordered.

Many of the medics were working at the Salmaniya hospital in Manama when security forces violently suppressed the protests ‘

A judge ruled that the nine, detained in a police raid on a hospital used to treat protesters wounded by the security forces, were guilty of plotting to overthrow the kingdom's Sunni royal family. Although their sentences were reduced, and nine of their colleagues were acquitted, the decision led to outrage from international human rights groups who have always viewed the case as politically motivated.’

And from ‘The Times’ of the same date, bylined ‘Hugh Tomlinson : ‘A court in Bahrain has sentenced nine doctors to up to five years in jail for supporting anti-government protests last year (Hugh Tomlinson writes). Nine other medics, including six women, were acquitted. The doctors were arrested in March last year and accused of using blood bags to exaggerate wounds, stashing weapons in a hospital and using ambulances to run guns.’

They denied the charges and said they confessed under torture. Opposition groups claim that the doctors were persecuted for treating protesters’. She might also give us her thoughts on the Amnesty International statement dated 15th June 2011, and to be found here

I might also invite her comment on this report from ‘the Times’ of 15th March 2011: ‘Saudi Arabian troops and armoured vehicles crossed into Bahrain yesterday amid fears that the Royal Family was preparing for a final assault to crush anti-government protests that have crippled the island kingdom.
Saudi officials said 1,000 troops had crossed the causeway separating the countries on Sunday night, increasing sectarian tensions in Bahrain.

‘Witnesses on the King Fahd causeway reported that a further 200 vehicles crossed yesterday afternoon to expand the "Peninsula Shield Force" raised by the regional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to support the Bahraini Government after a month of violent unrest. The UAE also pledged to send forces.

Opposition groups denounced the move as an act of war. In a letter to the UN Security Council and Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, the parties called for immediate intervention by the West. "We consider the arrival of any soldier or military vehicle into Bahraini territory ... an overt occupation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and a conspiracy against the unarmed people of Bahrain," the opposition statement said.

In what way am I therefore ‘inaccurate’ in referring, as I did  to ‘what looked to some people rather like an invasion by neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose forces arrived in British-built vehicles’. Or in saying’ A  particularly unpleasant aspect of the repression has been the punishment of doctors for simply treating those wounded in street clashes.’ ? By the way, what does she mean when she says ‘I realize you have no love for the Arab world’. Does she? Do I? How does she know? ‘

I can find no trace of any response to this challenge from Ms Willard. Can I therefore assume that she concedes that her criticism of me was mistaken?