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| Tens of Thousands Rally in Bahrain Urging Reform |
| 2012-03-10 |
| [An Nahar] Tens of thousands of Bahrainis flooded the streets of the capital Manama on Friday demanding political reforms, a year after authorities crushed an uprising, an activist said. Policemen fired tear gas at a group of protesters but the rallies were largely peaceful and no one was tossed in the clink, said Nabil Rajab, an activist who heads the Bahraini Center for Human Rights. "It is one of the largest protests in recent years," Rajab told Agence La Belle France Presse. Rajab said demonstrators erupted into the streets in response to calls by several groups, including Bahrain's powerful Al-Wefaq main Shiite opposition formation, as well as Shiite holy mans. "A small group of protesters tried to converge on the former Pearl Square but they were dispersed by coppers who fired tear gas canisters," said Rajab in reference to the rallying point of last year's protests. Protesters called for political reforms in Bahrain, which is ruled by the minority Sunni al-Khalifa family, and for an elected government, Rajab said. The Shiite-led opposition demands constitutional changes that would reduce the power of the dynasty. Tensions have remained high in Bahrain since a deadly crackdown last year after a month of Manama street protests. According to an independent probe 35 people were killed in last year's unrest, including five security personnel and five detainees tortured to death while in jug. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 SenatorMark4, Bahrain is ruled by a small Sunni elite, while the citizenry are mostly Shiites. Like Saudi Arabia, the Sunni rulers oppress theIr Shiites in order to discourage rebellious thoughts and acts. Unlike SA, the Bahraini rulers are carpetbaggers, having invaded in 1783. Naturally, the Arab Spring idea would drive the local oppressed citizens to demand equal rights and some inclusion in the political life of their country. Equally naturally, the current Al Khalifa scion on the throne could not possibly allow any such thing -- the example of King Louis XVI of France every before his eyes. ;-). Wikipedia has useful articles on the subject, or a quick google search will provide helpful links. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2012-03-10 13:27 |
| #2 Are these like the OWS protestors over here? Every report I see about this Bahrainey baloney I can't find the list of reform demands that they want. Do they want to be more like Iran? More like Saudi Arabia? What? Most likely they're just bored Arabs looking for a little rock-slinging fun and they're already chased all the Jews out so now there left with only locals to harrass. |
| Posted by: SenatorMark4 2012-03-10 13:13 |
| #1 More Iranian agitators to stir up the local Shiites. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2012-03-10 08:01 |