Analysts Challenge Iran’s Human Rights Record: Hadi Ghaemi asked for the U.S. to “challenge Iran’s record of abuse and to support the Iranian people’s aspirations for rule of law, democratic change and respect for their fundamental rights” during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad‘s U.N. visit. Christopher Boucek and Karim Sadjadpour discussed a proxy war between the region’s two major players, Saudi Arabia and Iran, and how the Arab Spring has affected each country’s influence in the region.  Doyle McManus argued Congress should protect State Department funding of Internet and cellphone technology to assist “democracy movements.”

From the Middle East


Egyptian Political Parties Prepare for Elections, Emergency Law Extended to June 2012: The Revolutionary Youth Council announced that it would present a list of 200 candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Political Parties Affairs Committee in Egypt has banned the formation of a political party by Al Gamaa al-Islamiyya, an Islamist group. Meanwhile, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) held a meeting with political party representatives to discuss the emergency law (which is valid until next June 2012) and Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf defended the law. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu envisioned an “axis of democracy” with Egypt. Erdogan compared his political party to the Muslim Brotherhood, though they displayed relatively cold reactions. 

Escalation of Protests before Bahraini Elections: Reports emerged that tear gas and rubber bullets were fired upon protesters who had urged “for a bold escalation in…anti-government actions” and called for a boycott of the September 24th elections, while police blocked protesters attempting to march in Manama. Fifty-five candidates will compete for the 18 seats vacated by the al-Wefaq opposition party in the elections. Bahrain held by-elections to replace the 18 seats abandoned by legislators from the opposition party, al-Wefaq. Despite government claims of a large voter turnout, eyewitnesses on the ground have said the turnout has been minimal. Protesters marched towards Pearl Square in response to the boycotted elections when security forces attacked the march, and shut down all access to the square. The lethal use of tear gas by Bahraini security forces is being criticized as more reports filter in documenting abuses by security forces. A Facebook group called "Sacked Voice" planned a marathon for Sunday that will end in front of Parliament, and the government promised “a tough response.” Freedom Now filed “an urgent action petition” for detainee Abdulhadi Alkhawaja to obtain “a legal opinion…that the Bahraini government’s detention of Mr. Alkhawaja is a violation of international law.” The Government of Bahrain announced the creation of a reparations fund for people harmed during the latest upheaval.

Yemen “Descending into Civil War:" President Ali Abdullah Saleh abruptly returned to Yemen and called for a nationwide ceasefire amid mixed reactions. Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh called for a peaceful transfer of power through early parliamentary and presidential elections. State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland stated "The Yemeni government must immediately address the democratic aspirations of its people." More than 100 people have been killed in renewed violence. International mediators promoted a Gulf-initiated peace deal to halt the political impasse. The shelling of Change Square continued and thousands gathered to hold funerals. The latest violence is rooted in a power struggle between President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsin Saleh Ahmar, and tribal leader Hamid Ahmar. 

Abbas Declares “Palestinian Spring”: Returning from the U.N. after making a bid for Palestinian statehood, President Mahmoud Abbas has transformed his image among Palestinians to a champion of their rights, and rallied Palestinians around him. Rejuvinated, Abbas stated "We have told the world that there is the Arab Spring, but the Palestinian Spring is here.” 

U.S. Embassy Opens, TNC Forces Assault on Gadhafi Strongholds: Ambassador Gene Cretz delivered his first public remarks from Tripoli, marking the reopening of the U.S. embassy. TNC forces renewed their assaults against Sirta, Bani Walid and Sabha, and residents were trapped in Sirte as pro-Gadhafi forces launched a counter-attack.  

Change in Leadership at Al Jazeera; Protests in Morocco: Al Jazeera’s Director General Wadah Khanfar stepped down after eight years as the network’s  top executive. Blake Hounshell speculated that Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thania, a member of the Qatari royal family, was hired to tighten control. Meanwhile, Morocco saw 3,000 demonstrators in Casablanca, and as many as 2,000 called for regime change on the streets of Tangier. The Unified Socialist Party announced it will boycott the November 25 parliamentary elections. 

Tunisia: Ayed Announces Economic Plan: Minister of Finance Jalloul Ayed announced the Jasmine Economic and Social Plan, a five-year program “to reduce unemployment and boost regional development.” Meanwhile, Tunisian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jehenaoui met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly Chairman Karl Lamers. 

Saudi King Gives Women Right to Vote in 2015: King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud announced on Sunday that women will have the right to vote and stand in elections. However, women will not be able to participate in next week's elections, but have to wait until 2015 to exercise their right to vote. "We refuse to marginalize the role of women in Saudi society and in every aspect, within the rules of Sharia,” Abdullah said in his announcement. The White House also praised the king's decision, saying "Saudi Arabia is taking an important step ahead in expanding women's rights by allowing women to vote and run in local elections in 2015

U.A.E.: Human Rights Groups Urge Release of Activists Before Elections: Amnesty International, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Front Line Defenders, and Human Rights Watch have urged the U.A.E. to release five activists – Ahmed Mansoor, a blogger and member of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East advisory board and ANHRI; Nasser bin Ghaith, Fahad Salim Dalk, Ahmed Abdul-Khaleq, and Hassan Ali al-Khamis – imprisoned for “publicly insulting” the U.A.E. President and other “top officials.” 
 

In Case You Missed It

On Thursday (9/15), the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy (PFD) partnered with the Lithuanian Embassy, the National Endowment for Democracy, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute and held an event entitled “Strengthening Freedom and Democratic Governance.”  

On Friday (9/16) The United States Institute of Peace hosted a conference “Sifting Fact from Fiction: The Role of Social Media in Conflict” with panelists Marc Lynch, Sean Aday, Henry Farrell, John Sides, Brian Eoff, and Deen Freelon. Opening remarks were provided by Sheldon Himelfarb. 

On Tuesday (9/20), the Women’s Learning Partnership cohosted an event entitled “Women and Democratic Transition in the Middle East” with the Woodrow Wilson Center. The first panel included Farida Naqash, Rabea Nacirl, Asma Khader, and was moderated by Jackie Lyden. The second panel consisted of Jacqueline Pitanguy, Yakin Erturk, Masoumeh Hassan, and Mahnaz Afkhami. Haleh Esfandiari provided the opening remarks. 

On Thursday (9/22), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted several Tunisian Ministers to discuss the future of U.S.-Tunisian relations and cooperation.

The Weekly Wire is compiled by POMED Policy team members Alex Kraynak, Todd Ruffner, Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff, and Patricia Stottlemyer.