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Democracy News
Bahraini Government Cracks Down During Ongoing ‘Day of Rage’ Demonstrations
March 13, 2011
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly
Following similar uprisings throughout the Arab World, on February 14, opposition groups in the monarchy of Bahrain called on citizens to demonstrate against the ruling pro-Western Sunni-minority government. The opposition groups, which are mainly members of the country’s Shi’ite majority, state that the Sunni-minority government’s democratic reforms have done little to alleviate economic and social inequalities for the Shi’ite community. Shi’ites currently compose approximately 60-70 percent of Bahrain’s total population. The Associated Press reported that prior to the ‘Day of Rage,’ the Bahraini government appeared to try to defuse protester grievances by pledging to expand press freedom and by giving out a sum (nearly $2,700) to each Bahraini family. Opposition groups were inspired to organize a Bahraini ‘Day of Rage’ after similar uprisings resulted in the resignations of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
On the first day of the ‘Day of Rage,’ Reuters reported clashes between protesters and police forces in several cities across the country, resulting in at least one fatality and at least 20 wounded. Following a crackdown in the city of Bani Jamrah, Nabeel Rajab – head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights – said, “We will continue our protests until the government hears our demand.” In addition to calling for economic and social reforms, Reuters also reported that protest organizers called for the drafting of a new constitution, the release of all political prisoners, the election of a prime minister, and an investigation into prison torture allegations.
On the second day of demonstrations, the New York Times reported that the protesters, both young and old, continued to gather to demand democratic reforms to the country’s electoral procedures. Despite earlier promises from King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to allow citizens to peacefully demonstrate during the ‘Day of Rage,’ protesters were instantly attacked by riot police. Although protest organizers had originally hoped to have one large demonstration in the capital city of Manama, police acted swiftly to block roads in order to prevent incoming protesters from gathering in a centralized location. By the end of the second day, protests were reported to have taken place in at least 16 villages around the country.
In response to the violent police crackdown, in a statement, the Bahraini government said that it had a long history of supporting peaceful protests, but noted that the ‘Day of Rage’ event had been a “flagrant disregard for a well-established process to allow demonstrators to voice any grievances.” The statement additionally said that it would be investigating all incidents of police brutality. Previous protests in the country have often ended in violent confrontations between protesters and police forces. Commenting on the violent crackdown, in a press statement, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley called on “all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from violence.”
By nightfall on February 16, thousands of Bahrainis had gathered in Manama’s Pearl Square to continue to call for democratic reforms. Threatened by the rapid expansion of the gathered crowd, security forces swept into Pearl Square early the next morning and orchestrated a violent crackdown while many protesters slept. According to the New York Times, the early morning crackdown resulted in at least five protester deaths when riot police rushed the area firing shotguns, tear gas and grenades. Eyewitness accounts state that many sleeping protesters were shot in the face and chest by shotgun pellets. In addition to the fatalities, at least 200 protesters – including women and children – were wounded.
Outraged over the crackdown, Voice of America reported that Bahrain’s main Shia Muslim opposition bloc announced it would boycott parliament. The 18 members of the al-Wefaq party said that they would not return to the 40-member parliament until the king agreed to political reforms that would allow the country to be a constitutional democracy with an elected government.
Following the violent crackdown, BBC News reported that the county’s interior ministry announced that it would take every measure necessary to preserve security. In a televised announcement, the military subsequently declared that any further gatherings would be banned and that it would be taking control of “key parts” of the capital city. Despite government warnings, Ibrahim Sharif of Bahrain's secular Waad party called for the protests to continue. Sharif stated, “We are going to do what's necessary to change this into a democratic country, even if some of us lose our lives.”
After intense international criticism and diplomatic pressure from the US government, by the night of February 20, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters had returned to Pearl Square to peacefully demonstrate without fear of police brutality. In addition to maintaining calls for the government to step down, protesters reaffirmed their demand for the release of all political prisoners. On February 21, AFP reported that thousands pro-government Sunnis staged their own rally to express support for the monarchy, but also called on Sunni leaders to release political prisoners. On February 22, in the midst of the largest rally since the anti-government demonstrations started, Voice of America reported that the king had ordered the release of a group of political prisoners. The names of the soon-to-be-freed prisoners were not released by the Bahraini state media, but the group is said to include 23 Shi'ite activists who are currently on trial for attempting to stage a coup.
On February 27, in a statement, US President Barack Obama expressed support for King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa’s commitment to reform in Bahrain. Obama also stated that the US government supports a national dialogue between the Bahraini people and the government and expressed that the process must be “meaningful, inclusive, non sectarian, and responsive.”
On March 13, Bahraini government security forces violently cracked down on anti-government protesters. The crackdown, which Voice of America identified as “one of the Gulf state's most violent confrontations” since opposition demonstrations began last month, took place on a highway leading into Manama’s financial district. Hundreds of protesters on King Faisal Highway were exposed to tear gas hit with water cannons, and shot by rubber bullets as police forces attempted to “re-open” the highway. The government stated that it acted to remove the protesters so people could return to work in the city’s business district. It was additionally reported that the government urged protesters to remain in the city’s main protester encampment in Pearl Square.
Following the crackdown, Voice of America reported that the US government condemned the violence and called on the Bahraini government to “use restraint and to respect the universal rights” of the protesters.
The Washington Post reported that additional clashes took place at the University of Bahrain when pro-government supporters fought with students.
Following a full day of unrest, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalif announced that he would discuss electoral reforms with protesters and work towards establishing a government that “represents the will of the people.”
BBC News reported that 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia arrived in Bahrain on March 14 to guard key facilities in the country, such as financial institutions and oil and gas installations.
The Bahraini ‘Day of Rage’ coincided with the 10th anniversary of a national referendum on political reforms that was proposed by the king. Opposition activists claim that the king’s reforms failed to establish greater political rights or freedoms. According to the New York Times, smaller protests have been occurring in Shi’ites villiages for over a year, but have attracted little to no government response. Following the success of the massive demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt, the Bahraini government was prompted to address Shi’ite grievances in an effort to avoid an overthrow of the state. Similar to the organizers in Tunisia and Egypt, the Bahraini protest organizers used Facebook and Twitter to publicize the ‘Day of Rage’ event.
For previous news on Bahrain, please see:
Shi’ites Make Small Gain in Bahrain’s Parliamentary Election
Sources:
Reuters - Protester killed in Bahrain "Day of Rage" - witnesses
New York Times - Young Protesters Clash With Police in Bahrain
New York Times - Clashes Erupt in Bahrain as Tumult Ripples Across Mideast
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