In an ongoing conflict that has started over half a century ago, many are used to hearing about terrorist activities, failed peace processes and rezoning when it comes to the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Out of all the recent headlines, the one that resulted in the most deaths, is the one in Gaza that took place in December of 2007. After a six month investigation, the UN declared that Israel committed war crimes during the Gaza conflict. The report claimed that there were numerous deliberate attacks on civilians and that the firing of of certain shells were against humanitarian laws. The conflict resulted in a total of 1400 Palestinian deaths and 13 Israeli deaths. The investigators advised that the UN security council should allow both Israel and Palestine to launch their own "credible investigations" in three months or that the council should refer the case to the ICC.
By: Aminat T. Odunewu
Showing posts with label Islam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islam. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sectarian Tension Takes Volatile Form in Bahrain
By. Adnan Shaukat
This article (Click Here) focuses on how a majority Islamic Shia sect country is ruled by an Elite Sunni sect monarchy, where rioters this week accused the government of discrimination and misrepresentation. Youth's full of energy took to the streets to protest, some with smile and others with anger writing graffiti on government property, while the Kingdom of Bahrain security forces tried to calm the protesters with tear gas on multiple occasions without any results. Shia's have accused the government of arresting opposition organizers (political prisoners) who the prosecutors accuse of destabilizing the government and planning terrorist activity.
Bahrain is ruled by a self-declared monarchy, who presides over the police force staffed by foreigners from: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, or anyone who happens to be Sunni and interested in Bahrain citizenship. This has caused a lot of resentment with the Shia majority who are banned from joining any government forces and holding command positions - one of the primary grievances. The arrival of foreigners caused unemployment to soar for the Shia community who can't find work. On top of public issues, is the 40 member parliament where Sunni/Shia political parties bicker on public policies and accuse each other for flaming sectarian hatred.
This is a cause of great concern because Bahrain houses the Unites States "Fifth Naval Fleet". Any instability could result in attacks aganist foreign forces on Bahrain soil, due to Anti-American sentiment cause of Iraq and Afghan war. But more importantly the American rethoritic aganist Iran who's population is 80% Shia and ruled by religious leaders, who have in the past instructed attacks aganist American/NATO forces, can cause further destabilization in the region.
This article (Click Here) focuses on how a majority Islamic Shia sect country is ruled by an Elite Sunni sect monarchy, where rioters this week accused the government of discrimination and misrepresentation. Youth's full of energy took to the streets to protest, some with smile and others with anger writing graffiti on government property, while the Kingdom of Bahrain security forces tried to calm the protesters with tear gas on multiple occasions without any results. Shia's have accused the government of arresting opposition organizers (political prisoners) who the prosecutors accuse of destabilizing the government and planning terrorist activity.
Bahrain is ruled by a self-declared monarchy, who presides over the police force staffed by foreigners from: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, or anyone who happens to be Sunni and interested in Bahrain citizenship. This has caused a lot of resentment with the Shia majority who are banned from joining any government forces and holding command positions - one of the primary grievances. The arrival of foreigners caused unemployment to soar for the Shia community who can't find work. On top of public issues, is the 40 member parliament where Sunni/Shia political parties bicker on public policies and accuse each other for flaming sectarian hatred.
This is a cause of great concern because Bahrain houses the Unites States "Fifth Naval Fleet". Any instability could result in attacks aganist foreign forces on Bahrain soil, due to Anti-American sentiment cause of Iraq and Afghan war. But more importantly the American rethoritic aganist Iran who's population is 80% Shia and ruled by religious leaders, who have in the past instructed attacks aganist American/NATO forces, can cause further destabilization in the region.
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