Dialogue impossible as al Khalifa criminalizes his opposition, arrests, illegal detentions and State Terrorism continues

Bahrain lifts emergency law, military trials press on
02 June 2011, Thursday / REUTERS, MANAMA

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 cancelled 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 on 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 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 would 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 on 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.

Bahraini activists reported on social media that at least one person was wounded by birdshots during a protest.
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