You are in the 194th Witness Revolution diary, bearing witness to pro-democracy movements in North Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We aim here to simply report, from as many reliable worldwide resources as possible, on the successes, challenges or failures of the brave people striving against oppression for representative democracy with civil and human rights. One small bit of assurance that they do not strive in obscurity.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
YEMEN
After military attacks on homes of leaders who have spoken in support of the protesters' demands, it is a precarious moment. Will the protests remain peaceful, centered in non-violent resistance? Or will civil war break out?
A Friday call for peaceful revolution
Lawyer Ahmed Mohamed Noman Morshed spoke to a crowd of millions after Friday prayers, calling for the revolution to remain peaceful. He said that the shedding of blood is haram/forbidden. (from a rough Google translation.)
Army wants to overthrow the regime
With guns raised, this rally of army troops in Saleh may point to a less than peaceful process, though, in the translation it says they are calling for a peaceful revolution, not a civil war. It is a bit confusing for this non-Arabic reader, as another article with the headline
"Red: the war between me and Musaylima a civil war and there is no" says in the body text something to the effect of they are still fighting a battle at his home and have captured some pro-government forces, but that he supports a peaceful revolution, not a civil war.
SYRIA
The momentum of the Syrian Revolution received a tragic boost. In Hamzeh Ali-Khatib, they now have their Khaled Said, complete with a Facebook page. We saw a brief video of his body on Thursday. As challenging as it was to see it, the details of the state of his body - which we couldn't necessarily see - make it even worse. Warning: this is very hard to read and the final phrase, I found unfathomably shocking.
(ht jnhobbs 05/28) - Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 12:58 - Syria
His corpse bears the scars of what appears to be brutal torture: lacerations, bruises and burns to his feet, elbows, face and knees by beatings and abuse, that, according to commentary on a video released by his family, is consistent with the use of electric shock devices and whipping with a cable; his eyes are swollen and black, there are identical bullet wounds where he was shot through each arm, with the bullet tearing into his flank.
There is a deep, dark burn mark on his chest, his neck has been broken and his penis cut off.
Unfortunately, Hamzeh's is not an isolated case. Murshed Aba Said was 18, with severe learning disabilities and had already survived being shot in the face:
Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 16:08 - Syria
Like 13-year-old Hamza al-Khateeb, Murshed’s neck was also broken, as was his nose, according to those who examined him, while his face, neck and flank show black burn marks and lacerations, as do the soles of his feet, consistent with being tortured with electric shock devices. A gaping gunshot wound is visible in his side.
A massive scar runs from Murshed’s ribs to his intestines, his belly bound back together with the crudest of stitches.
There is a video. I'm sorry. I saw just 2 seconds of it and had to stop. I simply can't post it here. Forgive me for not being able to bear this much witness right now. Sadistic bastards.
LIBYA
Libya Appeal
As the crisis in Libya deepens, Islamic Relief is responding to the changing demands on the ground, whether at the border area with Tunsia or in the East of Libya, in and around Benghazi.
Islamic Relief has recently provided and delivered £100,000 worth of life saving medicines to Zintan, Jadu and Nalut hospitals which are all situated in the Nafusa Western Mountain areas of Libya. Four X-Ray and Anaesthetic machines were also provided in Zintan.
Islamic Relief is also supporting those refugees who fled the vicinity. Most have taken refuge in the Tunisian towns of Dehiba and Tatouine in addition to the Ramada and Dehiba refugee camps.
Food packs and hygiene kits are being distributed on a daily basis to those in need, supporting approximately 4,000 families a week. Essential medicines are also being provided to clinics to replenish stocks.
Additionally, Islamic Relief is running a school for children in the Ramada Refugee Camp. Not only does this enable them to continue receiving an education, daily enjoyable activities are also included as to try and bring back some normality into their lives.
there are more videos of what they are doing at the link. You can also donate there, if you are so inclined.
Usually, there is more news listed country by country below the fold. I will need to return to finish this, as I've really struggled to handle the news today. Thank you for your understanding.
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