Saudi protesters show solidarity with Bahraini people

May 22, 2011
Saudi protesters show solidarity with Bahraini people
By staff & agencies

Saudi protesters have poured into the streets in the eastern city of Qatif, condemning Al Khalifa regime’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

According to Press TV, expressing solidarity with Bahraini people, Saudis on Friday urged the government to stop helping Manama government in suppressing the uprising in the neighboring country and immediately withdraw its troops.

Since the deployment of Saudi troops in mid-March, Bahrain has launched a harsh crackdown on the protesters, rounding up senior opposition figures and activists in dawn raids and arresting doctors, nurses, lawyers and journalists who voiced support for the protest movement.

Last week, Bahraini authorities announced that Saudi troops would remain in the Persian Gulf nation even after emergency is lifted in June.

Despite international condemnation of Saudi occupation of Bahrain, a Saudi official said, “This is the initial phase and Bahrain will get whatever assistance it needs. It’s open-ended.”

Saudi demonstrators also called for human rights reform, freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners some held without trial for more than 16 years.

Saudi Arabia’s eastern region has been the scene of anti-government protests over the past months and authorities have arrested scores of people, including bloggers and independent writers, for participating in protest rallies.

According to Human Rights Watch, more than 160 dissidents have been arrested since February as part of the Saudi government’s crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Bahrainis want detained activists freed

Hundreds of protesters have take to the streets in Bahrain, demanding the immediate release of detained anti-government activists.

Anti-regime protesters in the village of Sanabis near the capital, Manama, demanded an end to the rule of Al Khalifa family, Press TV reported.

Similar anti-regime protest rallies were also held in the village of Boori.

Meanwhile, Saudi-backed Bahraini troops rolled into Sitra and detained two teenagers.

According to witnesses, riot police and pro-government thugs also stormed the villages of Hamala, Daih and Diraz.

The Manama government has arrested hundreds of protesters, opposition activists, bloggers and doctors since the beginning of anti-regime protests in Bahrain in mid-February.

Rights groups and the families of those arrested during the government crackdown on protesters have blamed Bahraini security forces of mistreating anti-government protesters, saying they are being physically and mentally abused. …source