Bahrainis held demonstrations in the capital on Saturday, calling for the realization of democracy and freedom.
The Bahraini uprising against the Al Khalifa rule in the Persian Gulf island nation began in February 2011. The regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.
A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011, found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown and blamed Manama for torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.
The Manama regime has arrested many rights activists, doctors and nurses since the uprising began.
Last year, Amnesty International warned about the Bahraini regime’s misuse of tear gas against protesters and called for an investigation into the tear gas-related deaths.
On January 26, eight-year-old Qasim Habib died due to the inhalation of poisonous tear gas fired by regime forces during a demonstration in Karbabad village near the capital.
In the face of mounting pressure to end their popular revolt, Bahraini protesters vow to continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for a democratically elected government is met.
