On February 9, one person was killed and several others injured when Saudi regime forces opened fire to disperse peaceful anti-government demonstrators in Qatif. Saudi police also arrested nine protesters on January 24 for being involved in anti-regime demonstrations in the region.
Since February 2011, Saudi protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in the oil-rich Eastern Province, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.
However, the demonstrations have turned into protest rallies against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the Eastern Province.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”
