MANAMA (Dispatches) – Amnesty International has warned that Bahrain is on the verge of a human rights catastrophe amid a pattern of increased violence against demonstrators, executions, and detentions.
The rights group gave the warning as nationwide protests were underway in Bahrain to mark the sixth anniversary of the 2011 popular uprising.
"Bahrain is at a tipping point. The first two months of 2017 alone saw an alarming upsurge in arbitrary and abusive force by security forces as well as the first executions since the uprising in 2011,” said Amnesty International’s Beirut office Deputy Director Lynn Maalouf.
She added if the Al Khalifah regime does not put further control on its security forces, does not respect protesters rights, and does not halt its executions, it will be dealing with a full blown human rights crisis.
"For six years, the Bahraini government has been claiming that it has taken meaningful steps towards reform and upholding its human rights obligations, including by prosecuting those who were responsible for the violations that took place during the 2011 uprising. But the past few weeks have seen a very concerning renewed pattern of violations, including arbitrary detention and torture, facilitated by a continuing climate of impunity,” she added.
In another development, Bahrain’s main Shia opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, denounced violent measure taken by Manama regime against peaceful protesters, calling for the continuation of rallies in the Persian Gulf country.
According to Arabic-language Bahrain Mirror news website, al-Wefaq’s Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Hussein al-Daihi on Tuesday urged negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations and a referendum in the island.
Daihi also accused the Al Khalifah regime of having violated all political, civil and religious rights of the citizens, who are seeking their legitimate rights.
He further appreciated the people’s patience, resistance and sacrifice inspired by al-Wefaq’s spiritual leader, Shia cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim.
Anti-regime protests have been held on an almost daily basis ever since the popular uprising roared into life in 2011. Manama has gone to great lengths to silence dissent. In March 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown. Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or been arrested since then.