Bahraini protesters stage mass rally in capital

Bahraini protesters have held a mass anti-government demonstration in the capital, Manama, despite an ongoing crackdown by regime forces. The Saturday demo was organized by the main opposition group al-Wefaq, one day after protests marked the third anniversary of the uprising against the Al Khalifa regime. Earlier in the day, regime forces fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in several towns and villages including Jad Hafs, Diraz and al-Nabih. On Friday, several demonstrators were wounded and over two dozen arrested by security forces. Regime forces also detained nearly 30 protesters in several villages around Manama on February 13, on charges of “rioting and vandalism.” On Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on the Bahraini regime to respect its “international human rights obligations” in dealing with peaceful protests in the kingdom. He said that “all political constituencies and actors will need to participate freely in the dialogue for it to produce meaningful outcomes that respond to the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis.” The uprising in Bahrain began in mid-February 2011, with protesters calling for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand soon changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were called in to assist the Bahraini regime in its crackdown on the peaceful protests. Scores of people have been killed in the crackdown, and security forces have detained hundreds, including doctors and nurses. Dozens of demonstrators have also been handed jail terms for attending street protests.