Syria: Assad Names New Governor of Homs, Clinton Condemns Violence Calls for Reform

April 21st, 2011 by Naureen

On Thursday, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad swore in Ghassad Abdul Aal as the new governor of Homs following clashes between demonstrators and security forces which resulted in the death of 17 protesters and scores of arrests. Najati Tayara, an activist in Homs, stated that the city was quite on Thursday but that security forces are stationed on the outskirts of impoverished neighborhoods with the expectation that protests will continue tomorrow.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the ongoing violence  and arbitrary arrest of protesters in Syria and called for a “political process that can respond to the legitimate needs, interests, and aspirations of the people” who are seeking “substantial and lasting reform.”  She also noted the U.S.’s particular concern about the situation in Homs given reports of violence and casualties among both civilians and government personnel.

Members of Congress Question Administration’s Libya Policy, Call for Congressional Hearings and Debate

On Wednesday, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), in a letter to President Barack Obama, called on the administration to “provide the American people and Congress a clear and robust assessment of the scope, objective, and purpose of our mission in Libya and how it will be achieved.”  Boehner provided the president with a list of questions which he believes must be answered including the “contradiction” between the stated goal of the administration — Muammar Gadhafi‘s removal from power– and that of the U.N. resolution.  On Wednesday, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member on the Foreign Relations Committee, called for congressional hearings on the mission in Libya in a letter to the Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry (D-MA): “In my judgment, hearings on Libya are especially vital because the Obama Administration did not consult meaningfully with Congress before initiating military operations. Members have not yet had an opportunity to question the Administration on its policy goals or its diplomatic and military strategy.”

Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) also expressed concerns that Obama’s actions in Libya may violate the constitution given the lack of Congressional debate and approval for this level U.S. military involvement.  Meanwhile, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) voiced support for the President’s actions in Libya and stated that given the limited nature of the conflict and support of international community, he believes Senators would support the mission in Libya if they were to vote on it.

Update: Senator John Thune (R-SD) argued that President Barack Obama did not need the consent of Congress before ordering U.S. military to attack forces and military installations controlled by Gadhafi and will only need to do so if the fight becomes protracted: “You have to reserve to your commander in chief the authority to act in emergencies.”

March 24th, 2011 by Naureen

STAND WITH BAHRAIN

We Sikhs have a long history of standing with people fighting injustice anywhere.  Today on my Facebook page, I received this plea for help from my gallant young friend in Bahrain, Ghadeer Al-Shamlam:

Please Published for all people you know

Help us to reach our voice to foreign countries

...

What's going on with this world.. why everyone is watching what's happening in Bahrain and no one is taking any action?? WHY?? aren't we humans??? don't we deserve to live as well... Where are the people of the world??????? Bahrain is calling.. listen or it will be too late...

I feel so helpless.  All the attention of the world is right now focused on the four-fold disaster in Japan (earthquake/tsunami/nuclear meltdown/volcano)  and the good people of Bahrain have been nearly forgotten.  Japan, of course, must be helped, but do we have such small hearts and minds that we can only help in one place?  Please look at these pictures that Ghadeer ji just sent me.  This is what the government of Bahrain, with the help of the Saudis and, I just heard, the Kuwaitis, are doing to their own citizens.  As Sikhs, we know what it feels like to be attacked by what is supposed to be our own government.

One more picture, a screenshot from a YouTube video about the attackj on peaceful protesters.  (See also the second video below)

 It seems a particularly destructive form of tear gas is being used against the protesters.  I've breathed tear gas a few times and even the ordinary form is bad enough.

LET US ALL STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS !!

TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SAY ARDAS FOR THEM!!

FREE BAHRAIN ZINDABAD!!