ANHRI: Bahrain: Repression ongoing on the first anniversary of the Bah
 

14-02-12 11:26 PM

http://bahrainrights.hopto.org/BCHR/...1/05/anhri.png
Cairo, 14 February 2012
The Bahraini revolution which kicked off on 14 February 2011 has completed its first year. However, the protests have not stopped, and neither has repression. Peaceful protesters are still facing excessive violence by security services. Meanwhile, the authorities have not fulfilled its repeated promises of reform, amid shameful Arab and international silence.
On the first anniversary of the revolution, ANHRI calls on the international community and the Arab League to take swift actions pressuring the Bahraini authorities to cease the violence used against peaceful protests, and to respond to the people’s legitimate demands calling for democratic reform and the release of opposition leaders, rights activists, and prominent bloggers currently detained in the Bahraini prisons.
Background
Influenced by the Arab Spring, and in response to a call by the opposition for the citizens to demonstrate, the protests in Bahrain began on 14 February 2011 at the tenth anniversary of the announcement of the Bahraini constitution. The security services were widely deployed, and faced the peaceful protests with extreme violence using live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters imported from the United States of America. However, this violence was not able to stop the advance of protesters who managed to occupy Pearl Square, becoming a symbol of the Bahraini revolution. On 17 February 2011, security services raided the square with excessive violence and dispersed the peaceful sit-in, resulting in injuries and deaths.
The protesters were able to return once again to Pearl Square. This time, the Bahraini security forces were not able to face the massive demonstrations. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s ally and supporter of the Arab autocracies, subsequently sent approximately 1000 soldiers from its army with their weaponry and military equipment on 14 March 2011. The United Arab Emirates also sent 500 soldiers to help the Bahraini security services repress the protests. On 15 March 2011, security services returned to Pearl Square and dispersed the sit-in with excessive force for the second time.
Following the security services’ relative control on the streets, the authorities launched a huge campaign of detention and exclusion against the activists. The authorities detained many opposition leaders and human rights activists, and fired the employees in favor of the Bahraini revolution. Of the most prominent detainees who received life sentences are Abdul-Hady al-Khawaja, rights activist, Abdul-Jalil al-Singace, blogger and activist, Ali Abdul-Imam, young blogger, and many other opposition leaders. Approximately 2500 academics were fired from their jobs, and 500 students were dismissed from their schools\universities. Additionally, the authorities continue to pursue violence against peaceful demonstrations, and systematic torture in prisons which killed several activists and opposition leaders such as Karim Fakhrawy. The protests witnessed the death of over 40 martyrs and the injury and detention of hundreds of citizens.
anhri.net


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