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Another dictator figures out Facebook

In early February, I blogged on the somewhat surprising news that Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir was encouraging his supporters to join Facebook to counteract anti-government demonstrators who were using the site to organize. Sudanese officials also revealed that Bashir's ruling party had been closely monitoring Facebook to gather information on the opposition.
Now, Shehnilla Mohamed of the Committee to Protect Journalists writes that Facebook organizing has become too dangerous for activists in Zimbabwe as well:

Despite the restrictions, Zimbabweans are reverting to satellite television and social media for information amid fears that the secret police has been infiltrating social media networks. Today, for instance, foreign-based Zimbabwean news websites are reporting the country's first "Facebook arrest," although officially unconfirmed, according to international media, the reports describe the arrest of a resident of Bulawayo-based Facebook user named Vikas Mavhudzi for allegedly posting a comment on the page of Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai about Egypt. Earlier this week, some alleged Zimbabwean activists apparently attempted to use Facebook to organize what they referred to as the Zimbabwe Million Citizen March. However, the march did not take place as people were skeptical of the authenticity of the call.

This was probably inevitable, since the same things that make Facebook an effective organizing tool -- its simplicity, openness, and popularity -- make it extremely easy for regimes to monitor and disrupt. As autocratic governments adapt, the days of the Facebook revolutions may be numbered.
Joshua Keating @'FP'

MoD silent over report of SAS men captured in Libya

The Ministry of Defence says it will not comment on a claim in the Sunday Times that members of the SAS have been seized by rebel forces in Libya.

In a statement, the MoD said: "We do not comment on the special forces."
The paper claims the unit was involved in a secret mission to put British diplomats in touch with rebels trying to topple Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
It says eight SAS men, in plain clothes but armed, were captured as they escorted the diplomat in eastern Libya.
The paper claims the SAS soldiers were taken to Benghazi, the rebel stronghold, where they are being interrogated.
Troops loyal to Col Gaddafi have clashed with rebel forces in the central town of Zawiya in the last few days amid growing fears of a civil war.
The full statement from the MoD read: "We neither confirm nor deny the story and we do not comment on the special forces."
Geneva-based Human Rights Solidarity group said it was aware that a team of special forces had been seized by Libyan rebels but it did not know which country they were from.
Separately, a group of Dutch special forces was apparently captured by Col Gaddafi's forces in western Libya while trying to assist Dutch nationals to evacuate from the country.
Earlier, the MoD had confirmed Scottish troops were on standby to assist with humanitarian and evacuation operations in Libya.
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, is on a routine deployment notice of 24 hours at an RAF base in Wiltshire.
But they have not been earmarked for a combat role.
@'BBC'

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Is This Quantico or Abu Ghraib? - Rep. Dennis Kuchinich

After initial allegations of mistreatment, I requested a visit with Private First Class Bradley Manning, the soldier accused of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, to see for myself the conditions of his treatment.

Despite the fact that Manning has not been found guilty of any crime, his lawyer reports that he is in isolation 23 out of 24 hours every day, conditions which may violate his 8th Amendment protection from 'cruel and unusual' punishment. This treatment is in stark contrast to a presumption of innocence and raises questions of whether Pfc. Manning can be fit for trial.

My request to visit with Pfc. Manning must not be delayed further. Today we have new reports that Manning was stripped naked and left in his cell for seven hours. While refusing to explain the justification for the treatment, a marine spokesman confirmed the actions but claimed they were "not punitive."

Is this Quantico or Abu Ghraib? Officials have confirmed the "non-punitive" stripping of an American soldier who has not been found guilty of any crime. This "non-punitive" action would be considered a violation of the Army Field Manual if used in an interrogation overseas. The justification for and purpose of this action certainly raises questions of "cruel and unusual punishment," and could constitute a potential violation of international law.

The Army Field Manual, 2-22.3 (FM 34-52): Human Intelligence Collector Operations, Page 5-21, section 5-75 clearly states that: "If used in conjunction with intelligence interrogations, prohibited actions include, but are not limited to -- Forcing the detainee to be naked, perform sexual acts or pose in a sexual manner."

@'rsn'

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