Saturday, May 12, 2012

Bahraini forces continue violent crackdown on protests

Bahraini regime forces have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse anti-regime demonstrators in two villages near the capital, Manama.Police attacked protesters in the village of Bilad al-Qadim, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of the capital, and the village of Sahla, about 8.5 kilometers (5 miles) west of Manama, on Saturday.Reports say dozens of demonstrators were also injured during clashes in Bilad al-Qadim and Sahla. The protesters were calling for the release of prominent jailed human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike for more than three months as well as other political prisoners.Demonstrators on Saturday also demanded the downfall of the Al Khalifa regime.The latest attacks by Bahraini regime forces against peaceful protesters come a few days after Bahraini Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa claimed on May 9 that Manama will continue to implement reforms. “Bahrain has been able, thanks to its wise leadership, to overcome the crisis and present a bold leading model in tackling issues by taking effective steps that earned international appreciation and projected the kingdom’s real image,” Sheikh Rashid claimed during a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara. Bahrainis have been holding peaceful anti-regime demonstrations since February 2011.Demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of the protesters since the beginning of the popular uprising.

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