Bahrain Regime expands violent crackdown to Religious Gatherings

Number of Injuries after Security Forces Attacked a Religious Gathering in Bahrain
14 November, 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Bahrain Authorities Continue Attacks on Religious Gatherings and Processions amidst a Systematic Campaign against Religious Liberties. This Systematic Campaign Included Demolishing Dozens of Mosques and Attacking Religious Facilities and Institutions of Shiaa Muslims in March 2011.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights Warns Against the Escalating Systematic attacks on Religious Liberties with the Approach of the Religious Season of ‘Ashura’ and Holds the Authorities Responsible for the Consequences

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights sends out a critical warning in which it expresses its concern as a result of receiving documented information about the Authorities in Bahrain continuing the systematic attacks on religious liberties with the approach of the commemoration of the ‘Ashura’ rituals practiced by Shia Muslims. These religious processions tend to be received with hostile media and security alerts, as well as threats towards those who criticize the regime or who address the political situation through the podiums and forums of these religious processions .

The authorities have set up check points in many different areas, and BCHR received information from several people that people are being harassed when they attempt to move from one area to another.Security forces have already entered Karzakkan and tore down religious banners the locals had put up.

What increases concern is the ongoing systematic attacks in an attempt to restrict religious events and ceremonies, like in 2011 when several religious processions and gatherings were attacked and through targeting religious institutions, mosques and facilities by demolishing or vandalizing them. [1]
On Friday 2nd November 2012, security forces attacked a religious Shiaa gathering using pellet shotguns and teargas in an excessive and unwarranted manner resulting in a number of injuries, some of whom were children; in addition to suffocations [2]. According to information received by the BCHR from eyewitnesses, security forces attacked the religious gathering with no prior warning, and without provocation. …source