Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Bahrain lifts emergency law, military trials press on
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Full Focus
Editor's choice
A selection of our top photos from the past 24 hours. Full Article
Follow Reuters
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
YouTube
Read
Google reveals Gmail hacking, says likely from China
3:31am EDT
Casey Anthony told police toddler was kidnapped
01 Jun 2011
Cole not the only sour note for Cowell's 'X Factor'
01 Jun 2011
Special report: If Monterrey falls, Mexico falls
|
01 Jun 2011
Basketball world pays homage after "Shaq" quits
01 Jun 2011
Discussed
64
Judge voids controversial Wisconsin union law
62
150 economists back U.S. Republicans in debt fight
53
Speculation grows over Sarah Palin’s 2012 plans
Watched
Tornado hits Springfield, Massachusetts
2:43am EDT
Massive Australian waterspout caught on film
Mon, May 30 2011
Scientists revive ancient spider in stunning 3D detail
Tue, May 24 2011
Bahrain lifts emergency law, military trials press on
Tweet
Share this
Email
Print
Related News
Bahrain's king offers July reform talks
Tue, May 31 2011
Bahrain Shi'ite leader says backs royal family
Sun, May 29 2011
Eight killed in Syria protests, world pressure grows
Fri, May 27 2011
Sadr followers rally against U.S. army staying in Iraq
Thu, May 26 2011
Bahrain hopes for normalcy with martial law lifted
Wed, May 25 2011
Analysis & Opinion
Shi’ites say they endured reign of terror under martial law in Sunni-ruled Bahrain
Popular Indian guru Swami Ramdev to start hunger strike against corruption
Related Topics
World »
Bahrain »
By Andrew Hammond
MANAMA |
Wed Jun 1, 2011 7:10pm EDT
MANAMA (Reuters) - Bahrain lifted martial law on Wednesday in what the government hopes will be a sign to tourists and business of a return to normal, but the opposition fears repression will continue in the Gulf island kingdom.
Bahrain is especially keen to get back the Formula One race. The March Grand Prix opener was canceled because of unrest that erupted in February when pro-democracy protesters, inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, clashed with police.
A meeting of the sport's governing body Friday could reinstate the race for later this year, but U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has said a heavy crackdown on opposition activists during 11 weeks of martial law should count in the decision.
The dusty streets of the capital, Manama, were calm on Wednesday, but in outlying Shi'ite villages there was a heavy anti-riot police presence, according to online activists. Police were checking cars around the capital and villages.
"With the end of the emergency situation, the security should not be here but they still are," said Ali Zirazdi, a 30 year-old unemployed man, who said police had fired tear gas after a few hundred people gathered in the Shi'ite village of Diraz.
King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, whose Sunni Muslim family rules over a majority Shi'ite population, offered a dialogue on reform in a speech Tuesday.
"I hope the opposition joins the dialogue," said writer Taher Mohammed, 26. "I'm totally against any call for protests. It would affect all Bahrainis and it could get out of control and lead to direct clashes."
Al Jazeera television later quoted witnesses as saying police opened fire and used tear gas to disperse protesters, arresting several. It said dozens were hurt.
The Interior Ministry later denied troops had opened fire on demonstrators, the state news agency BNA reported.
Bahraini activists reported on social media that at least one person was wounded by birdshots during a protest.
The reports could not be independently verified, but reporters said empty tear gas canisters could still be seen strewn around hours later.
While the king spoke, military prosecutors summoned four members of the main opposition party Wefaq, including its leader, and rights activist Nabeel Rajab, for questioning. They were released after several hours, acquaintances said.
"The end of the national security law and announcement of dialogue are both positive. It will be a shame if anyone is negative about it," said Jamal Fakhro, a Sunni lawmaker.
"Bahrain will welcome Formula One, and any other event. There's nothing wrong with that because life is back to normal now and it will be excellent to have it back."
On a wall filled with anti-government graffiti in Diraz were the words: "If you really claim you want dialogue you have to open up the streets," and "Down with the ruling gang!"
"LOYALTY TO THE MARTYRS' BLOOD"
Bahrain, located between non-Arab Shi'ite Muslim Iran and U.S.-allied Sunni dynasties of the energy-producing Gulf Arab region, hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters. Bahrain says Iran orchestrated the protests through links to Shi'ite groups.
Shi'ites, who make up 60 percent of Bahrain's 1 million citizens, have long complained of discrimination, lack of jobs, and representation.
U.S. President Barack Obama criticized the Bahraini crackdown in a speech this month, saying the government should begin dialogue with peaceful opposition leaders.
Activists called online for marches in Shi'ite villages and in Manama later Wednesday. Appealing to "loyalty to the martyrs' blood," one urged a return to Pearl Roundabout, where protesters camped out for over a month.
Syria lifted a decades-old emergency law to meet a demand of protesters, but that has not calmed unrest there.
With Bahrain's state of emergency over, military prosecutors can no longer call in civilians but military courts will still hear several cases started since martial law began on March 15.
Twenty-one opposition figures -- seven of whom are abroad -- are on military trial on charges of seeking to overthrow the system. Most of them are from parties that called for a republic. Rights activists say they have been tortured.
Future verdicts could lead to protests.
Sunni Islamist groups are calling for death penalties and no royal amnesty.
"No pardon for the leaders of strife, the sick elements must be uprooted" a large sign says outside the offices of Asala, one of the groups, with an image of a noose.
CAMPAIGN OF DETENTION
Since calling in Saudi and United Arab Emirates forces to help quash the protest movement, the authorities have also unleashed a campaign of detention and dismissals affecting thousands who took part, most of them Shi'ites.
Dozens of Shi'ite places of worship have also been demolished and four people have died in custody.
Rights activists say it is not clear how many remain in detention. Dozens of doctors and nurses have been arrested and health services have been purged of Shi'ite managers.
State media say medics stored weapons at Pearl Roundabout and a nearby hospital. Doctors who have been released deny this, saying they were forced to sign and record confessions.
"I expect to see a lot of gloss before the summer kicks in. There will be some reform on the surface but a hardline approach," a diplomat said. "There will be less checkpoints but you won't be able to go into the Shi'ite villages easily."
Tanks and other military vehicles were gone from outside government ministries and the financial district, but a number of small armored patrol vehicles of the Interior Ministry-run National Guard were stationed around Pearl Roundabout.
The government has renamed the roundabout the Farouq Junction, a reference to an early Islamic leader who Shi'ites consider was against their cause.
Pro-government newspapers said Wednesday that security checkpoints would be maintained permanently at some locations.
(Editing by Reed Stevenson and Elizabeth Fullerton)
World
Bahrain
Tweet this
Link this
Share this
Digg this
Email
Reprints
We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment on reuters.com.
Add yours using the box above.
Social Stream (What's this?)
© Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Super Lawyers Attorney Rating Service
Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 2 June 2011 Blast hits hotel in Libya's rebel-held Benghazi
|
Honduras readmitted to OAS after coup
|
Peru faces divisive election cliffhanger
|
Berlusconi backs minister amid new signs of rift
|
Belgian abuse victims to file suit against Vatican
|
Google reveals Gmail hacking, likely from China
|
Twitter CEO says 80 percent of advertisers renew
|
Nokia on the ropes as analysts slash targets
|
Netflix prepared to pay more for movie, TV deals
|
Expedia, Groupon create travel deal website
|
LightSquared near $2 billion a year Sprint deal: sources
|
UK's Royal Academy gives Ai Weiwei honorary title
|
Japan PM survives with offer to quit once crisis overcome
|
Blast hits hotel in Libya's rebel-held Benghazi
|
25 Pakistani forces killed after cross-border raid
|
Libya oil chief defects, NATO extends campaign
|
Bahrain lifts emergency law, military trials press on
|
Raul Castro turning 80, with future on his mind
|
India yoga guru anti-graft fast gains momentum
|
Google reveals Gmail hacking, says likely from China
|
Alibaba's Ma offers Yahoo some advice: break up
|
All aboard the privacy-breach gravy train
|
Cellphone study raises profile on safety lawsuits
|
Microsoft shows off new Windows 8 operating system
|
Sharp smartphone shift to help boost profit: Nikkei
|
Google has no agreement yet to digitize books
|
Samsung files LCD patent suit against AU Optronics
|
U.S. groups attack Rihanna's Man Down murder video
|
Cheryl Cole not the only sour note for Cowell's X Factor
|
Jane's Addiction looking to future with new album
|
Yemen fighting intensifies, U.S. envoy in talks
|
Syrian forces kill 13 in besieged town: activists
|
Mexican teens turn to kidnapping in drug war city
|
Venezuela housing shortage a headache for Chavez
|
Portugal votes under bailout cloud, centre-right ahead
|
Nigeria police break suspected baby-trafficking ring
|
Europe E.coli is toxic new strain, trade row grows
|
Mladic arrest revives Dutch angst over Srebrenica
|
Facebook, Zuckerberg say ownership contract forged
|
Cybersecurity becoming U.S. diplomatic priority
|
Internet addresses: Colombia's hottest export?
|
IBM sees strong growth in Africa for IT sector
|
Globalive urges Canada to open up telecom sector
|
New X-Men set to power back mutant film franchise
|
Story of baseball's Jackie Robinson heads to big screen
|
Beijing artists detained after homage to Ai Weiwei
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights