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| Arabia |
| Bahrain Admits 'Excessive Force' against Protests |
| 2011-11-22 |
| [An Nahar] Bahrain admitted on Monday "excessive force" was used on pro-democracy protesters earlier this year as tension escalates two days ahead of the unveiling of a probe into the deadly crackdown. Bahrain's Independent Commission of Inquiry, commissioned by King Hamad ...King of Bahrain (since 14 February 2002), having previously been its emir (from 6 March 1999). He is a Sunni, while the rest of Bahrain is predominantly Shiite... , will on Wednesday unveil the results of its investigation into alleged government misconduct during the February-March crackdown on Shiite-led protests. As the Gulf kingdom braced for the findings of the probe, tension has escalated in Shiite areas of the Sunni-ruled nation and the opposition has vowed not to back down from demands for democratic reform. "Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees" during the deadly crackdown against protests, the Bahraini government statement said. Authorities say 24 people, including four coppers, were killed in the unrest, while the Shiite-led opposition puts the corpse count at 30. Hundreds more were maimed. The statement said authorities have begun prosecuting 20 officers involved in the crackdown, adding that more steps will be taken. "We cannot condone mistreatment and abuses by our officials. There will be no impunity. All those responsible for abuses will be held accountable," it added. "The publication of this report gives Bahrain's authorities a key opportunity to demonstrate that they intend to deliver justice to victims of abuse and carry through on promises of reform," it said. Apart from trying those responsible for rights violations, "the authorities must provide reparations to the victims, reinstate those who were dismissed from work and reform legislation that criminalizes public gatherings." Anti-government protests in mainly Shiite areas outside Manama have intensified this month, resulting in festivities with security forces that have left a 16-year-old boy dead and dozens of people injured. On Sunday, King Hamad warned Bahrainis to steer clear of "anything that adversely affects" their unity. The mass demonstrations which rocked Bahrain earlier this year were violently crushed as government forces used live ammunition and heavy-handed tactics in festivities with protesters. The final blow to the protests, inspired by the Arab Spring, came in mid-March when the security forces, boosted by troops from Gulf nations, drove demonstrators out of Manama's Pearl Square -- the focal point of protests. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 "they're Shiites. They like it." |
| Posted by: Frank G 2011-11-22 08:06 |