While allowing access to Facebook is a positive first step there is still a long way to go to improve the situation of human rights defenders in Syria. The general official climate towards human rights defenders is hostile which fact is reflected in a range of repressive measures including:

* Denial of registration of ngo's and human rights organisations. * Prosecution of human rights defenders on the basis of spurious charges linked to vaguely worded laws. * Travel Bans

Front Line is particularly concerned about the cases of Anwar Al Bunni, Winner of the Front Line Award in 2008 http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1890

He is currently still in prison though expected to be released in a number of months.

We are also deeply concerned at the imprisonment and deteriorating health of HRD Haitham Al Maleh. It is an indication of the conditions he is being held in that the fact of his being given a bed recently was seen as a concession. He is a very elderly man and in bad health.

While allowing access to Facebook is a positive first step there is still a long way to go to improve the situation of human rights defenders in Syria. The general official climate towards human rights defenders is hostile which fact is reflected in a range of repressive measures including:

* Denial of registration of ngo's and human rights organisations. * Prosecution of human rights defenders on the basis of spurious charges linked to vaguely worded laws. * Travel Bans

Front Line is particularly concerned about the cases of Anwar Al Bunni, Winner of the Front Line Award in 2008 http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1890

He is currently still in prison though expected to be released in a number of months.

We are also deeply concerned at the imprisonment and deteriorating health of HRD Haitham Al Maleh. It is an indication of the conditions he is being held in that the fact of his being given a bed recently was seen as a concession. He is a very elderly man and in bad health.

Nick Kristoff of the New York times has written a trenchant analysis of the current crisis in Bahrain. -

First Tunisia......

This opening paragraph gives a flavour of the piece

Bahrain is another Middle East domino wobbled by an angry youth — and it has struck back with volleys of tear gas, rubber bullets and even buckshot at completely peaceful protesters. In the early-morning hours on Thursday here in the Bahrain capital, it used deadly force to clear the throngs of pro-democracy protesters who had turned Pearl Square in the center of the city into a local version of Tahrir Square in Cairo. This was the last spasm of brutality from a regime that has handled protests with an exceptionally heavy hand — and like the previous crackdowns, this will further undermine the legitimacy of the government.

Nick Kristoff in The New york Times

Nick Kristoff of the New York times has written a trenchant analysis of the current crisis in Bahrain. -

First Tunisia......

This opening paragraph gives a flavour of the piece

Bahrain is another Middle East domino wobbled by an angry youth — and it has struck back with volleys of tear gas, rubber bullets and even buckshot at completely peaceful protesters. In the early-morning hours on Thursday here in the Bahrain capital, it used deadly force to clear the throngs of pro-democracy protesters who had turned Pearl Square in the center of the city into a local version of Tahrir Square in Cairo. This was the last spasm of brutality from a regime that has handled protests with an exceptionally heavy hand — and like the previous crackdowns, this will further undermine the legitimacy of the government.

Nick Kristoff in The New york Times

Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state: Clinton telephoned her Bahraini counterpart to express deep concern after police stormed a protest camp in central Manama, killing three people, the state department said. "She expressed deep concern about recent events and urged restraint moving forward. They discussed political and economic reform efforts to respond to the citizens of Bahrain," a senior state department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Ban Ki-Moon, UN secretary general: Ban called on the leaders of Bahrain not to use violence against civilians and journalists. "The reports from Bahrain overnight are deeply troubling," he told reporters, adding that he was disturbed by the violent methods being used to disperse demonstrators.

Michele Alliot -Marie, French foreign minister: "We regret the excessive use of violence by security forces when breaking up the demonstrators at the Pearl roundabout." She said she was also concerned by latest developments Yemen and Libya and reiterated the need for the freedom of expression and right to protest.

Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state: Clinton telephoned her Bahraini counterpart to express deep concern after police stormed a protest camp in central Manama, killing three people, the state department said. "She expressed deep concern about recent events and urged restraint moving forward. They discussed political and economic reform efforts to respond to the citizens of Bahrain," a senior state department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Ban Ki-Moon, UN secretary general: Ban called on the leaders of Bahrain not to use violence against civilians and journalists. "The reports from Bahrain overnight are deeply troubling," he told reporters, adding that he was disturbed by the violent methods being used to disperse demonstrators.

Michele Alliot -Marie, French foreign minister: "We regret the excessive use of violence by security forces when breaking up the demonstrators at the Pearl roundabout." She said she was also concerned by latest developments Yemen and Libya and reiterated the need for the freedom of expression and right to protest.

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"High Representative Catherine Ashton has been closely following the events taking place in Bahrain. She is very concerned by the events which took place overnight. The High Representative strongly deplores the loss of life and violence and calls for calm and restraint in this situation. She also calls on the Bahraini authorities to fully respect and protect the fundamental rights of their citizens, including the right to assemble peacefully. The peaceful expression of people's concerns should be met through dialogue."

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"High Representative Catherine Ashton has been closely following the events taking place in Bahrain. She is very concerned by the events which took place overnight. The High Representative strongly deplores the loss of life and violence and calls for calm and restraint in this situation. She also calls on the Bahraini authorities to fully respect and protect the fundamental rights of their citizens, including the right to assemble peacefully. The peaceful expression of people's concerns should be met through dialogue."

On the 17th of February 2011 at 3am, the Bahrain special security forces started attacking the peaceful protesters who gathered at Pearl roundabout. They used teargas, rubber bullets and shotguns. The security forces waited for the protesters to fall sleep and started their indiscriminate attacks from the bridge that faces the Pearl roundabout. Protesters including women and children were running behind for cover when they were attacked again by another group of the special security forces who waited for them from an opposite location.

Front Line has received reports that the police are attacking anyone who may appear at the Pearl roundabout. There are confirmed reports that three people lost their lives. There are unconfirmed reports of a fourth death. More than 210 are injured -confirmed- due to these successive unjustified attacks. Also, Mr.Naji Fateel , Administrator of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights was attacked by the police and wounded in the stomach. Ms.

On the 17th of February 2011 at 3am, the Bahrain special security forces started attacking the peaceful protesters who gathered at Pearl roundabout. They used teargas, rubber bullets and shotguns. The security forces waited for the protesters to fall sleep and started their indiscriminate attacks from the bridge that faces the Pearl roundabout. Protesters including women and children were running behind for cover when they were attacked again by another group of the special security forces who waited for them from an opposite location.

Front Line has received reports that the police are attacking anyone who may appear at the Pearl roundabout. There are confirmed reports that three people lost their lives. There are unconfirmed reports of a fourth death. More than 210 are injured -confirmed- due to these successive unjustified attacks. Also, Mr.Naji Fateel , Administrator of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights was attacked by the police and wounded in the stomach. Ms.