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Syria: Kofi Annan alarmed at surges in violence - live updates Syria: Kofi Annan alarmed at surges in violence - live updates
(40 minutes later)
1.43pm: Syria: Two UN monitors in Homs have been filmed confirming that they will be based in the city and that more will be arriving in the coming weeks.
Speaking to activists in the city today, one of unnamed observers said in English: "We are two now and more in the future". He added: "Our task here is to build a mechanism for observation."
Explaining the mission to an activist the monitor appealed for patience. He talked for trying to "build trust" in "small steps".
Blue-helmeted monitors were also filmed meeting leaders of the Free Syrian Army in Homs.
1.37pm: Here's a roundup of the main developments so far today:
Syria
• The UN is under pressure to move more quickly to send more observers to Syria, amid fears that a tenuous ceasefire could collapse before the next stages of a peace plan can be implemented. Ten days after a UN resolution authorising the despatch of 30-strong "rapid response team", only 11 military observers are operating in Syria.
• Activists from Zabadani, a opposition stronghold north-west of Damascus, have complained that a monitoring mission to the town lasted only 10 minutes.
• Up to four people were killed today when security forces opened fire on a bus in Idlib province, Reuters reports citing the Syrian Observatory for Human rights. Five other killings are reported elsewhere in Syria.
• Syria has refused to accept monitors from countries belonging to the Friends of Syria coalition, according to Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN. Two Chinese monitors have joined the UN's team, according to the state news agency Xinhua, but it will take a month before 100 more monitors are deployed.
• The speaker of Syria's parliament says it is "mathematically impossible: for any party other than the Ba'ath party to win the country's first multi-party elections scheduled for 7 May.
Bahrain
• Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said al-Khawaja's family last had contact with him on Monday. A nurse told his wife that no one was in the room at the military hospital where he was being held. Meanwhile his daughter, Zainab, has been remanded in custody for seven days after bwing arrested during a protest last Saturday.
• The authorities say an explosion has wounded four policemen during clashes in Diraz, one of the anti-government strongholds, AP reports. An activist claimed the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder.
• Sameera Rajab, the newly-appointed minister for information affairs, is planning "strict laws to curb media misuse", according to the Bahrain Tribune.
Egypt
• A court found Egypt's most popular comic actor guilty of insulting Islam in roles in films mocking religious hypocrisy, alarming liberal-minded artists and intellectuals already anxious about the growing power of Islamists in the new Egypt, the New York Times reports. The court fined the actor Adel Imam, who starred in the film the Yacoubian Building, about £105 ($170) and gave him a suspended sentence.
Libya
• The National Transitional Council has approved two new laws regulating political parties ahead of the election scheduled for 19 June. The laws ban foreign funding, as well as parties that have a religious, tribal or regional platform, the Libya Herald reports. This may excluded Abdul-Hakim Belhaj's Nation Party, though probably not the Muslim Brotherhood's Justice and Construction Party.
1.26pm: Bahrain: Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said al-Khawaja's family last had contact with him on Monday. A nurse told his wife that no one was in the room at the military hospital where he was being held.
On Twitter, Middle East analyst Toby Jones said he feared for al-Khawaja's safety but suggested he may be on his way to Denmark, where he holds joint citizenship.
I too fear worst for #alkhawaja, but is it possible he is on his way to Denmark? Don't know why authorities would not tell family tho
— Toby C. Jones (@tobycraigjones) April 25, 2012
Earlier this month Bahrain refused to transfer the human rights activist to Denmark, despite a request from prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
Maryam al-Khawaja said the authorities were refusing to give information about her father.
Wife of abdulhadi Alkhawaja called the hospital and found that Alkhawaja is no longer in his room, moi an BDF refusing to give info #bahrain
— Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) April 25, 2012
12.55pm: Syria: Up to four people were killed when the security forces opened fire on a bus in Idlib province, Reuters reports citing the Syrian Observatory for Human rights.12.55pm: Syria: Up to four people were killed when the security forces opened fire on a bus in Idlib province, Reuters reports citing the Syrian Observatory for Human rights.
AFP quote the Observatory reporting five other deaths today.AFP quote the Observatory reporting five other deaths today.
The Britain-based watchdog said two civilians were also killed by regime forces in the Harasta suburb of Damascus, while another was killed by sniper fire in Douma, a northeastern suburb of the capital.The Britain-based watchdog said two civilians were also killed by regime forces in the Harasta suburb of Damascus, while another was killed by sniper fire in Douma, a northeastern suburb of the capital.
One child died after being struck by gunfire in a village in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, according to the Observatory.One child died after being struck by gunfire in a village in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, according to the Observatory.
And regime forces also reportedly shot dead one citizen in the town of Rastan, in the central province of HomsAnd regime forces also reportedly shot dead one citizen in the town of Rastan, in the central province of Homs
12.50pm: Arab gender wars: The battle is not against men, but against patriarchy, Nesrine Malik argues in an article for Comment is free, responding to Mona Eltahawy's polemic against misogyny in Arab society. She writes:12.50pm: Arab gender wars: The battle is not against men, but against patriarchy, Nesrine Malik argues in an article for Comment is free, responding to Mona Eltahawy's polemic against misogyny in Arab society. She writes:
In Saudi Arabia women cannot drive, but men cannot elect their government, instead they are ruled over by a religiously opportunistic dynasty. In Egypt, it's true that women were subjected to virginity tests, but men were sodomised. In Sudan women are lashed for wearing trousers, but ethnic minorities are also marginalised and under assault.In Saudi Arabia women cannot drive, but men cannot elect their government, instead they are ruled over by a religiously opportunistic dynasty. In Egypt, it's true that women were subjected to virginity tests, but men were sodomised. In Sudan women are lashed for wearing trousers, but ethnic minorities are also marginalised and under assault.
We must not belittle the issues women face, or relegate them to second place, but we must place them in a wider context where wholesale reform is needed. One cannot reduce a much more universal and complicated problem merely to gender.We must not belittle the issues women face, or relegate them to second place, but we must place them in a wider context where wholesale reform is needed. One cannot reduce a much more universal and complicated problem merely to gender.
12.08pm: Libya: The National Transitional Council approved two new laws last night regulating political parties ahead of the election schedule for 19 June. The laws ban foreign funding, as well as parties that have a religious, tribal or regional platform, the Libya Herald reports. 12.08pm: Libya: The National Transitional Council approved two new laws last night regulating political parties ahead of the election scheduled for 19 June. The laws ban foreign funding, as well as parties that have a religious, tribal or regional platform, the Libya Herald reports.
These restrictions are fairly typical of party laws in other Arab countries but there are questions about how they will be applied – especially in connection with religious parties. The Libya Herald says:These restrictions are fairly typical of party laws in other Arab countries but there are questions about how they will be applied – especially in connection with religious parties. The Libya Herald says:
The new law is thought unlikely to affect the Muslim Brotherhood's Justice and Construction Party launched on 3 March and led by Mohammed Sawan. It has been deliberately vague about its religious affiliation, saying that it is open to both Brotherhood members and non-Brotherhood members alike ...The new law is thought unlikely to affect the Muslim Brotherhood's Justice and Construction Party launched on 3 March and led by Mohammed Sawan. It has been deliberately vague about its religious affiliation, saying that it is open to both Brotherhood members and non-Brotherhood members alike ...
However, the Nation Party of Abdul-Hakim Belhaj, leader of Tripoli Military Council and a former commander of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group in Afghanistan who is suing British officials for his rendition back to Libya could face problems ... The party, backed by well-known Libyan cleric Sheikh Ali Sallabi, has a specific Islamic agenda.However, the Nation Party of Abdul-Hakim Belhaj, leader of Tripoli Military Council and a former commander of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group in Afghanistan who is suing British officials for his rendition back to Libya could face problems ... The party, backed by well-known Libyan cleric Sheikh Ali Sallabi, has a specific Islamic agenda.
Two readers of Middle East Live have discussed this in the comment thread below.Two readers of Middle East Live have discussed this in the comment thread below.
PaulLambert says:PaulLambert says:
Isn't this more a case of the people who drew up these laws simply trying to ban religious parties that they don't like/approve of, rather than religious parties per se?Isn't this more a case of the people who drew up these laws simply trying to ban religious parties that they don't like/approve of, rather than religious parties per se?
Either way, it seems to have anti-democratic overtones, and could easily cause problems if some groups feel they're being unfairly excluded from the political process. Especially those groups which have a history of taking up arms.Either way, it seems to have anti-democratic overtones, and could easily cause problems if some groups feel they're being unfairly excluded from the political process. Especially those groups which have a history of taking up arms.
PeterBrit says:PeterBrit says:
As so often with the NTC it's hard to know whether to be more disappointed by their anti-democratic instincts or by the whole incompetence of it. They've left this ban until a late stage, which will cause maximum disruption and resentment.As so often with the NTC it's hard to know whether to be more disappointed by their anti-democratic instincts or by the whole incompetence of it. They've left this ban until a late stage, which will cause maximum disruption and resentment.
In addition, since a majority of seats in the election are going to be allotted to individual non-party candidates, who will be running with all sorts of motives, no doubt many of them religious and regional, the ban's inconsistent and will just drive regional and religious parties underground.In addition, since a majority of seats in the election are going to be allotted to individual non-party candidates, who will be running with all sorts of motives, no doubt many of them religious and regional, the ban's inconsistent and will just drive regional and religious parties underground.
11.56am: Bahrain: Sameera Rajab, the newly-appointed minister for information affairs, is planning "strict laws to curb media misuse", according to the Bahrain Tribune.11.56am: Bahrain: Sameera Rajab, the newly-appointed minister for information affairs, is planning "strict laws to curb media misuse", according to the Bahrain Tribune.
Ms Rajab said that she would make an in-depth study on the possibilities of legally regulating media, including social media, as soon as she meets His Majesty the King and gets cleared on her portfolios and responsibilities.Ms Rajab said that she would make an in-depth study on the possibilities of legally regulating media, including social media, as soon as she meets His Majesty the King and gets cleared on her portfolios and responsibilities.
11.48am: Syria: The Free Syrian Army will soon resume fighting if UN's peace initiative continues to fail to curb the violence of Assad's forces, an activist in Hama told the Guardian.11.48am: Syria: The Free Syrian Army will soon resume fighting if UN's peace initiative continues to fail to curb the violence of Assad's forces, an activist in Hama told the Guardian.
In an interview on Skype, Mousab al-Hamadee, described the growing frustration at the slow deployment of UN monitors amid the continuing bloodshed.In an interview on Skype, Mousab al-Hamadee, described the growing frustration at the slow deployment of UN monitors amid the continuing bloodshed.
If the international community does nothing to stop the killing, I think the Free Syrian Army will study their choices again.If the international community does nothing to stop the killing, I think the Free Syrian Army will study their choices again.
Of course the Free Syrian Army is keen for Mr Annan's initiative to be successful. As long as we have assurances from UN and Mr Annan, the Free Syrian Army will do nothing ... [But] what I see on the ground is that if the killing does not stop, all civilians will be pressing the Free Syrian Army to fight back. We will press the Free Syrian Army not to go ahead with a truce from only one side.Of course the Free Syrian Army is keen for Mr Annan's initiative to be successful. As long as we have assurances from UN and Mr Annan, the Free Syrian Army will do nothing ... [But] what I see on the ground is that if the killing does not stop, all civilians will be pressing the Free Syrian Army to fight back. We will press the Free Syrian Army not to go ahead with a truce from only one side.
Hamadee, criticised the international community's hesitance over the deployment of more UN monitors, after it emerged that it would take another month for an extra 100 observers to arrive.Hamadee, criticised the international community's hesitance over the deployment of more UN monitors, after it emerged that it would take another month for an extra 100 observers to arrive.
He said: "After one month no one knows what will happen, maybe 1,000 or 2,000 people will be killed. Why this hesitation? Why don't 300 monitors come to stop the killing in Syria. Why are they waiting for one more month?"He said: "After one month no one knows what will happen, maybe 1,000 or 2,000 people will be killed. Why this hesitation? Why don't 300 monitors come to stop the killing in Syria. Why are they waiting for one more month?"
UN monitors returned to the Arbaeen neighbourhood of Hama yesterday after reports that dozens of people were killed on Monday in retaliation against activists who had spoken to monitors on their first visit to the area.UN monitors returned to the Arbaeen neighbourhood of Hama yesterday after reports that dozens of people were killed on Monday in retaliation against activists who had spoken to monitors on their first visit to the area.
"After they left the district people began to flee, fearing that troops and security forces may come back and take revenge against people who met the UN monitors," Hamadee said."After they left the district people began to flee, fearing that troops and security forces may come back and take revenge against people who met the UN monitors," Hamadee said.
On plans to station monitors in Hama, Hamadee said: "We hope it will make a difference. We hope UN monitors will come in bigger numbers and are stationed in every city. Also we hope that the international community supply those monitors with means, and tools and mechanisms [to prevent] killing on the ground."On plans to station monitors in Hama, Hamadee said: "We hope it will make a difference. We hope UN monitors will come in bigger numbers and are stationed in every city. Also we hope that the international community supply those monitors with means, and tools and mechanisms [to prevent] killing on the ground."
He added:He added:
The Syrian government is trying to curb international pressure. They [want] to show the world that they are implementing the security council decision. Secondly they are trying to keep control on Syria cities and preventing people from coming out in demonstrations with the least number of killings in order not to be liable to more international pressure. The regime in Syria only understands one language, the language of violence. That's why we are not so optimistic about UN monitors in Syria, unless there are mechanisms for intervening in Syria in a stronger way.The Syrian government is trying to curb international pressure. They [want] to show the world that they are implementing the security council decision. Secondly they are trying to keep control on Syria cities and preventing people from coming out in demonstrations with the least number of killings in order not to be liable to more international pressure. The regime in Syria only understands one language, the language of violence. That's why we are not so optimistic about UN monitors in Syria, unless there are mechanisms for intervening in Syria in a stronger way.
11.26am: Syria: The Ba'ath party is sure of victory in Syria's first multi-party elections scheduled for 7 May, according to a report in The Hindu.11.26am: Syria: The Ba'ath party is sure of victory in Syria's first multi-party elections scheduled for 7 May, according to a report in The Hindu.
"It is mathematically impossible for any other party to win," parliamentary speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash is quoted as saying – adding that the opposition "will have to wait for five to 10 years"."It is mathematically impossible for any other party to win," parliamentary speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash is quoted as saying – adding that the opposition "will have to wait for five to 10 years".
Allowing new political parties and removing a clause in the constitution which enshrined the Ba'ath party as "leader of the state and society" has been hailed by the regime as a major reform. So far, nine new parties have been registered under Syria's restrictive political parties law.Allowing new political parties and removing a clause in the constitution which enshrined the Ba'ath party as "leader of the state and society" has been hailed by the regime as a major reform. So far, nine new parties have been registered under Syria's restrictive political parties law.
11.03am: Egypt/Saudi Arabia: A new and strange twist in the case of Ahmed Gizawy, the Egyptian lawyer who has reportedly been sentenced to 20 lashes and a year in jail by a Saudi court for insulting the king.11.03am: Egypt/Saudi Arabia: A new and strange twist in the case of Ahmed Gizawy, the Egyptian lawyer who has reportedly been sentenced to 20 lashes and a year in jail by a Saudi court for insulting the king.
The Saudi ambassador in Cairo now claims that Gizawy has been detained on a drugs charge. He is said to have been in possession of 21,000 Xanax tablets – a medicine used for treating panic and anxiety disorders which is banned in the kingdom.The Saudi ambassador in Cairo now claims that Gizawy has been detained on a drugs charge. He is said to have been in possession of 21,000 Xanax tablets – a medicine used for treating panic and anxiety disorders which is banned in the kingdom.
11.01am: Tunisia: Three employees of the national TV station, al-Wataniya, were injured yesterday in clashes with demonstrators who want to "cleanse the media of shame", Tunisia Live reports.11.01am: Tunisia: Three employees of the national TV station, al-Wataniya, were injured yesterday in clashes with demonstrators who want to "cleanse the media of shame", Tunisia Live reports.
Daily protests against the broadcasting of "wickedness" have been taking place outside the station since the beginning of March, the ANSAmed website says, suggesting that the protesters are mainly religious extremists.Daily protests against the broadcasting of "wickedness" have been taking place outside the station since the beginning of March, the ANSAmed website says, suggesting that the protesters are mainly religious extremists.
10.33am: Bahrain: Lawyer Mohammed al-Tajer has been summoned to the public prosecutor's office because of statements he made about Salah Abbas Habib, the protester who was found dead on Saturday, according to a tweet from activist Maryam al-Khawaja.10.33am: Bahrain: Lawyer Mohammed al-Tajer has been summoned to the public prosecutor's office because of statements he made about Salah Abbas Habib, the protester who was found dead on Saturday, according to a tweet from activist Maryam al-Khawaja.
Tajer, who has defended opposition figures and rights activists, was previously arrested in April last year. After a couple of months in jail he was brought before a military court charged with offences that included "spreading rumours and malicious news and incitement of hatred towards the regime". He was eventually released last August, though it was unclear if the charges had been dropped.Tajer, who has defended opposition figures and rights activists, was previously arrested in April last year. After a couple of months in jail he was brought before a military court charged with offences that included "spreading rumours and malicious news and incitement of hatred towards the regime". He was eventually released last August, though it was unclear if the charges had been dropped.
10.31am: Palestinian territories: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has warned of "a dangerous new infrastructure" for suppressing free speech. This follows a revelation by the Bethelehem-based Ma'an News Agency that the Palestinian Authority has quietly instructed internet providers to block access to news websites whose reporting is critical of President Mahmoud Abbas.10.31am: Palestinian territories: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has warned of "a dangerous new infrastructure" for suppressing free speech. This follows a revelation by the Bethelehem-based Ma'an News Agency that the Palestinian Authority has quietly instructed internet providers to block access to news websites whose reporting is critical of President Mahmoud Abbas.
At least eight news websites have become unavailable to many internet users in the West Bank after service providers tweaked open-source software called Squid in order to return error pages, Ma'an said.At least eight news websites have become unavailable to many internet users in the West Bank after service providers tweaked open-source software called Squid in order to return error pages, Ma'an said.
The websites – Amad, Fatah Voice, Firas Press, In Light Press, Karama Press, Kofia Press, Milad News and Palestine Beituna – were allegedly blocked on the orders of Ahmad al-Mughni, the Palestinian attorney-general, though Mughni has denied it.The websites – Amad, Fatah Voice, Firas Press, In Light Press, Karama Press, Kofia Press, Milad News and Palestine Beituna – were allegedly blocked on the orders of Ahmad al-Mughni, the Palestinian attorney-general, though Mughni has denied it.
The websites are all said to be critical of President Abbas and sympathetic towards Muhammad Dahlan, a former Fatah leader and a critic of Abbas.The websites are all said to be critical of President Abbas and sympathetic towards Muhammad Dahlan, a former Fatah leader and a critic of Abbas.
Ma'an quotes Jillian York of the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation:Ma'an quotes Jillian York of the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation:
This is unprecedented for them [the Palestinian authority] ... It is troubling because they had done a relatively good job at keeping the Internet open until now.This is unprecedented for them [the Palestinian authority] ... It is troubling because they had done a relatively good job at keeping the Internet open until now.
10.13am: Syria: A website dedicated to recording and naming all those killed in the Syrian uprising has been relaunched after a previous version was hacked by Assad supporters in the Syrian Electronic Army.10.13am: Syria: A website dedicated to recording and naming all those killed in the Syrian uprising has been relaunched after a previous version was hacked by Assad supporters in the Syrian Electronic Army.
The new site of the Violation Documentation Centre, which is maintained by activists and human rights observers, records that 10,240 people have been killed in uprising since it began more than 13 months ago.The new site of the Violation Documentation Centre, which is maintained by activists and human rights observers, records that 10,240 people have been killed in uprising since it began more than 13 months ago.
For the first time the site includes a category of "non-civilians" to represent military defectors and members of the Free Syrian Army. Its latest count claim 656 non-civilians have been killed.For the first time the site includes a category of "non-civilians" to represent military defectors and members of the Free Syrian Army. Its latest count claim 656 non-civilians have been killed.
The latest tally also says more than a thousand children have been killed.The latest tally also says more than a thousand children have been killed.
Another initiative aimed at counting the dead, the Syrian Revolution Martyr data base, puts the deathtoll at 11,046. It's records for the last week or so show the extent to which the 12 April ceasefire has been broken. But it also points to decrease in the violence since the arrival of UN monitors.Another initiative aimed at counting the dead, the Syrian Revolution Martyr data base, puts the deathtoll at 11,046. It's records for the last week or so show the extent to which the 12 April ceasefire has been broken. But it also points to decrease in the violence since the arrival of UN monitors.
9.49am: Syria: Russia and China have have called for a speedier deployment of more UN monitors, according to the diplomatic blog Inner City Press.9.49am: Syria: Russia and China have have called for a speedier deployment of more UN monitors, according to the diplomatic blog Inner City Press.
It quotes China's ambassador to the UN Li Baodong as saying: "I think we should deploy observers as soon as possible. Kofi needs that, the people in Syria need that. Let people go to Syria to monitor the situation."It quotes China's ambassador to the UN Li Baodong as saying: "I think we should deploy observers as soon as possible. Kofi needs that, the people in Syria need that. Let people go to Syria to monitor the situation."
Asked about the current timetable of deploying of 100 monitors within a month he said: "We believe too slow, ridiculous ... undermines the mission."Asked about the current timetable of deploying of 100 monitors within a month he said: "We believe too slow, ridiculous ... undermines the mission."
And Russia's ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin was quoted as saying: "We need to try to see what can be done in order to deploy the monitors quicker than currently anticipated... So far there are just twelve monitors and I think a number of colleagues including myself simply urged them to look for some unorthodox ways to expedite the process."And Russia's ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin was quoted as saying: "We need to try to see what can be done in order to deploy the monitors quicker than currently anticipated... So far there are just twelve monitors and I think a number of colleagues including myself simply urged them to look for some unorthodox ways to expedite the process."
9.13am: Jordan: Attempts to reform are being undermined by the repeated curtailing of free speech, according to Human Rights Watch. It highlights charges of "subverting the system of government" by military prosecutors on Monday against a journalist and publisher for an article concerning the king's supposed intervention in a corruption investigation.9.13am: Jordan: Attempts to reform are being undermined by the repeated curtailing of free speech, according to Human Rights Watch. It highlights charges of "subverting the system of government" by military prosecutors on Monday against a journalist and publisher for an article concerning the king's supposed intervention in a corruption investigation.
Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch, said:Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch, said:
Jordan cannot claim to be making democratic reforms while prosecutors hunt down journalists doing their job. Jordan's parliament should eliminate penal code articles that punish nonviolent speech offenses, and in the meantime, authorities should instruct prosecutors to stop bringing charges under those articles.Jordan cannot claim to be making democratic reforms while prosecutors hunt down journalists doing their job. Jordan's parliament should eliminate penal code articles that punish nonviolent speech offenses, and in the meantime, authorities should instruct prosecutors to stop bringing charges under those articles.
8.59am: Arab gender wars: Today has brought a flood of new ripostes to Mona Eltahawy's recent polemic against misogyny in Arab society. Her article about the "war on women", which we noted in Middle East Live yesterday seems to have provoked far more criticism than the announcement from Saudi Arabia's grand mufti that girls are "ready to marry" by the age of 10 or 12.8.59am: Arab gender wars: Today has brought a flood of new ripostes to Mona Eltahawy's recent polemic against misogyny in Arab society. Her article about the "war on women", which we noted in Middle East Live yesterday seems to have provoked far more criticism than the announcement from Saudi Arabia's grand mufti that girls are "ready to marry" by the age of 10 or 12.
Yesterday we mentioned the replies to Eltahawy from Samia Errazzouki and Mona Kareem, plus a critique on Twitter from Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.Yesterday we mentioned the replies to Eltahawy from Samia Errazzouki and Mona Kareem, plus a critique on Twitter from Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
Here are the latest responses:Here are the latest responses:
Omid Safi, a specialist in contemporary Islamic thought, describes the article as "reminiscent of the worst writings of Islamophobes" and says:Omid Safi, a specialist in contemporary Islamic thought, describes the article as "reminiscent of the worst writings of Islamophobes" and says:
Thirty years of scholarship on Islam and women suggests that the actual problem is often much more complicated, dealing with a variety of factors such as economics, tribal structures, nationalism, colonial legacy, changing family models, and authoritative discourses that attempt to regulate the body. Hate, it turns out, is simply not a sufficient explanatory category.Thirty years of scholarship on Islam and women suggests that the actual problem is often much more complicated, dealing with a variety of factors such as economics, tribal structures, nationalism, colonial legacy, changing family models, and authoritative discourses that attempt to regulate the body. Hate, it turns out, is simply not a sufficient explanatory category.
Writing for Open Democracy, Tom Dale says many of the criticisms of Elthahawy have been unfair or downright abusive, but there are real questions which ought to be raised about the article:Writing for Open Democracy, Tom Dale says many of the criticisms of Elthahawy have been unfair or downright abusive, but there are real questions which ought to be raised about the article:
No doubt, many men do hate and fear the women who they oppress. But there's far more too it than that.No doubt, many men do hate and fear the women who they oppress. But there's far more too it than that.
And unless we have coherent explanations of why these things happen, of why they're contingent, but not essential to "Arab societies", we'll be in a much worse place to bring them to a final end.And unless we have coherent explanations of why these things happen, of why they're contingent, but not essential to "Arab societies", we'll be in a much worse place to bring them to a final end.
Al-Jazeeera journalist Dima Khatib writes:Al-Jazeeera journalist Dima Khatib writes:
It is true that women's issues are among our most thorny problems, and I believe that the liberation and progress of our societies will only take place through solving these problems, but I also believe that the other problems must be solved too. And the other problems are suffered by both men and women, social degradation, oppression, subordination, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, exploitation, ignorance and many of the injustices, among other things ...It is true that women's issues are among our most thorny problems, and I believe that the liberation and progress of our societies will only take place through solving these problems, but I also believe that the other problems must be solved too. And the other problems are suffered by both men and women, social degradation, oppression, subordination, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, exploitation, ignorance and many of the injustices, among other things ...
You have reduced the problem of the Arab woman to the feelings of men; while the image of the Arab woman was reduced to the image that the west has of her. What you have tackled is true, and we have a long road ahead, and the revolutions have not achieved anything for women or for any one else when it comes to societal demands, and we have not yet been granted our basic rights, as women or as men.You have reduced the problem of the Arab woman to the feelings of men; while the image of the Arab woman was reduced to the image that the west has of her. What you have tackled is true, and we have a long road ahead, and the revolutions have not achieved anything for women or for any one else when it comes to societal demands, and we have not yet been granted our basic rights, as women or as men.
There are also articles from The Angry Egyptian and The Frustrated Arab, and Foreign Policy (where Eltahawy's article originally appeared) has reactions from "five smart observers". Al-Jazeera, meanwhile, looks at more online reactions.There are also articles from The Angry Egyptian and The Frustrated Arab, and Foreign Policy (where Eltahawy's article originally appeared) has reactions from "five smart observers". Al-Jazeera, meanwhile, looks at more online reactions.
8.29am: (all times BST). Welcome to Middle East Live. More UN monitors are to be deployed, but they will take weeks to arrive, as Syria rejects observers from countries in the 'Friends of Syria' group.8.29am: (all times BST). Welcome to Middle East Live. More UN monitors are to be deployed, but they will take weeks to arrive, as Syria rejects observers from countries in the 'Friends of Syria' group.
Here's a roundup of the main developments:Here's a roundup of the main developments:
SyriaSyria
• The Arab League-UN envoy, Kofi Annan, has told the security council that he is concerned about surges in violence in Syrian cities after visits by UN monitors, the BBC reports. He told a closed-door meeting that he was "particularly alarmed" by reports of government forces firing on protesters in Hama on Monday, after observers left.• The Arab League-UN envoy, Kofi Annan, has told the security council that he is concerned about surges in violence in Syrian cities after visits by UN monitors, the BBC reports. He told a closed-door meeting that he was "particularly alarmed" by reports of government forces firing on protesters in Hama on Monday, after observers left.
• The UN is under pressure to move more quickly to send more observers to Syria, amid fears that a tenuous ceasefire could collapse before the next stages of a peace plan can be implemented. Ten days after a UN resolution authorising the despatch of 30-strong "rapid response team", only 11 military observers are operating in Syria, where opposition sources said on Tuesday that 21 people had been killed by the security forces, and the government blamed a car bombing in central Damascus on "terrorists".• The UN is under pressure to move more quickly to send more observers to Syria, amid fears that a tenuous ceasefire could collapse before the next stages of a peace plan can be implemented. Ten days after a UN resolution authorising the despatch of 30-strong "rapid response team", only 11 military observers are operating in Syria, where opposition sources said on Tuesday that 21 people had been killed by the security forces, and the government blamed a car bombing in central Damascus on "terrorists".
• Syria has refused to accept monitors from countries belonging to the Friends of Syria coalition, according to Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN. Two Chinese monitors have joined the UN's team, according to the state news agency Xinhua, but it will take a month before 100 more monitors are deployed.• Syria has refused to accept monitors from countries belonging to the Friends of Syria coalition, according to Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN. Two Chinese monitors have joined the UN's team, according to the state news agency Xinhua, but it will take a month before 100 more monitors are deployed.
• Observers are to be stationed in opposition strongholds of Homs and Hama after pleas from activists for the monitoring teams to stay longer, Rice also revealed. She said:• Observers are to be stationed in opposition strongholds of Homs and Hama after pleas from activists for the monitoring teams to stay longer, Rice also revealed. She said:
The problem is, obviously there are not sufficient observers deployed at present to leave in every place that the observer team might visit after which there may be, if the pattern holds, an intensification of violence. Hence, the Council's very unanimous and strong view, that having made the decision to deploy these monitors, let's get them out as swiftly as possible ...The problem is, obviously there are not sufficient observers deployed at present to leave in every place that the observer team might visit after which there may be, if the pattern holds, an intensification of violence. Hence, the Council's very unanimous and strong view, that having made the decision to deploy these monitors, let's get them out as swiftly as possible ...
The problem is, and this is what joint special envoy [Annan] in part was referring to, is that, once they have left, their violence and number of instances has resumed. Now, the way they have tried to deal with that is to leave observers in Homs now and again now in Hama.The problem is, and this is what joint special envoy [Annan] in part was referring to, is that, once they have left, their violence and number of instances has resumed. Now, the way they have tried to deal with that is to leave observers in Homs now and again now in Hama.
We need to get the beginnings of a critical mass of observers on the ground to be able to test the proposition as to whether they can in fact have, if not a perfect impact, then a beneficial impact that we decide is worth maintaining.We need to get the beginnings of a critical mass of observers on the ground to be able to test the proposition as to whether they can in fact have, if not a perfect impact, then a beneficial impact that we decide is worth maintaining.
• An activist in Homs begged monitors to stay to help stop the violence in the beleaguered city during a visit over the weekend.• An activist in Homs begged monitors to stay to help stop the violence in the beleaguered city during a visit over the weekend.
"When you come shelling stops. When you come killing stops. Please stay. Just three monitors, maybe two monitors as you arranged. It is very important to stay," he told them in English. He claimed the arrival of the monitors had coincided with the first pause in the shelling for two months."When you come shelling stops. When you come killing stops. Please stay. Just three monitors, maybe two monitors as you arranged. It is very important to stay," he told them in English. He claimed the arrival of the monitors had coincided with the first pause in the shelling for two months.
• Activists from Zabadani, a opposition stronghold north-west of Damascus, have complained that a monitoring mission to the town lasted only ten minutes. An open letter to the mission complained of an encounter with the head of the monitors, the Moroccan colonel Ahmad Hamishi. It said:• Activists from Zabadani, a opposition stronghold north-west of Damascus, have complained that a monitoring mission to the town lasted only ten minutes. An open letter to the mission complained of an encounter with the head of the monitors, the Moroccan colonel Ahmad Hamishi. It said:
When we informed him that we had risked our lives to meet him, and were ready to accompany him so that he could see with his own eyes the widespread military checkpoints, he refused, saying he did not have the time.When we informed him that we had risked our lives to meet him, and were ready to accompany him so that he could see with his own eyes the widespread military checkpoints, he refused, saying he did not have the time.
• The US risks repeating mistakes of Afghanistan in the 1980s by helping an increasingly radical and Islamic opposition in Syria, argues veteran Syria hand Joshua Landis.• The US risks repeating mistakes of Afghanistan in the 1980s by helping an increasingly radical and Islamic opposition in Syria, argues veteran Syria hand Joshua Landis.
The model the US is now pursuing in Syria resembles the policy it pursued in Afghanistan of the 1980s: arm the insurgency to take down an enemy regime. Everyone in the Obama administration is acutely aware that the outcome of supporting the mujaheddin in Afghanistan was al-Qaida. No one wants to replicate that so Clinton in insisting that all aid go to Burhan Ghalioun for whom the ideal revolution is the French revolution and not the Islamic revolution. Clinton even got the Saudis to publicly sign on to this strategy at Istanbul where the last "Friends of Syria" meeting was assembled.The model the US is now pursuing in Syria resembles the policy it pursued in Afghanistan of the 1980s: arm the insurgency to take down an enemy regime. Everyone in the Obama administration is acutely aware that the outcome of supporting the mujaheddin in Afghanistan was al-Qaida. No one wants to replicate that so Clinton in insisting that all aid go to Burhan Ghalioun for whom the ideal revolution is the French revolution and not the Islamic revolution. Clinton even got the Saudis to publicly sign on to this strategy at Istanbul where the last "Friends of Syria" meeting was assembled.
But the reports on the opposition that are now beginning to come out, and which suggest that it is beginning to score some military successes, paint a picture of regular pious youth who are beginning to embrace the expertise of the Jihadists who fought in Iraq and elsewhere and to discover the motivational power of radical Islamism, something they are going to need to exploit if they hope to defeat the Syrian Army.But the reports on the opposition that are now beginning to come out, and which suggest that it is beginning to score some military successes, paint a picture of regular pious youth who are beginning to embrace the expertise of the Jihadists who fought in Iraq and elsewhere and to discover the motivational power of radical Islamism, something they are going to need to exploit if they hope to defeat the Syrian Army.
BahrainBahrain
• The authorities say an explosion has wounded four policemen during clashes in Diraz, one of the anti-government strongholds, AP reports. An activist claimed the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder.• The authorities say an explosion has wounded four policemen during clashes in Diraz, one of the anti-government strongholds, AP reports. An activist claimed the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder.
• Bahrain has remanded in custody for seven days the daughter of a jailed hunger striker for protesting during last week's Formula One grand prix. Zainab al-Khawaja was arrested on Saturday after she sat on the main road running past Bahrain's financial district during days of Shia protests held to embarrass the kingdom's rulers at a time when the race was drawing international media attention.• Bahrain has remanded in custody for seven days the daughter of a jailed hunger striker for protesting during last week's Formula One grand prix. Zainab al-Khawaja was arrested on Saturday after she sat on the main road running past Bahrain's financial district during days of Shia protests held to embarrass the kingdom's rulers at a time when the race was drawing international media attention.
EgyptEgypt
• A court found Egypt's most popular comic actor guilty of insulting Islam in roles in films mocking religious hypocrisy, alarming liberal-minded artists and intellectuals already anxious about the growing power of Islamists in the new Egypt, the New York Times reports. The court fined the actor Adel Imam, who starred in the film the Yacoubian Building, about £105 ($170) and gave him a suspended sentence.• A court found Egypt's most popular comic actor guilty of insulting Islam in roles in films mocking religious hypocrisy, alarming liberal-minded artists and intellectuals already anxious about the growing power of Islamists in the new Egypt, the New York Times reports. The court fined the actor Adel Imam, who starred in the film the Yacoubian Building, about £105 ($170) and gave him a suspended sentence.
• The authorities have refused licenses for eight US civil society organisations, including the Carter Centre, ahead of next month presidential elections, Foreign Policy magazine reports. The requests were denied on the grounds that their work would violate Egyptian sovereignty, it says citing state media.• The authorities have refused licenses for eight US civil society organisations, including the Carter Centre, ahead of next month presidential elections, Foreign Policy magazine reports. The requests were denied on the grounds that their work would violate Egyptian sovereignty, it says citing state media.