By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain–Bahrain has deployed thousands of its security forces to confront any anti-government protesters ahead of the first anniversary of the beginning of a Shia-led uprising. Since 14 February 2011, the uprising is still seeking to loosen the ruling Sunni dynasty’s monopoly on power. The Sunni Muslim royal family rules the country, but most of its people are Shia, placing it on the tipping point of regional influence between neighboring countries Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.

Opposition groups urged demonstrators and protesters to funnel towards an empty area that has become know as “Freedom Square” outside the capital, Manama. Since the uprising began, the Bahraini government has imposed martial law and effectively extinguished much of the unrest a month after it began, with the assistance of Saudi troops. The demonstrations and protests began again after the emergency law was lifted in June 2011.

The ruling Al-Khalifa family has accused Iran of stimulating the uprising. Iran has denied playing a role and Bahrain’s Shiite groups deny that they have received support from abroad. In an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa accused his opponents of chanting in support of Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 revolution. The king has downplayed the severity of the threat the demonstrations and protests had posed to the 200-year-old rule of the Sunni dynasty.

“It’s just a case of manners. But when they shout ‘down with the king and up with Khomeini’ that’s a problem for national unity. I regret the events of the past year. But there is no ‘opposition’ in Bahrain, as the phrase implies one unified bloc with the same views. Such a phrase is not in our constitution, unlike say the United Kingdom. We only have people with different views, and that’s okay.”

With the king downplays the demonstrations and protests, the people of Bahrain still act with the belief that change will occur. According to several activist groups, teenagers blocked off streets in the village of Sanabis, approximately 2 kilometers west of Manama, taunting police as “cowards” and “mercenaries” because some are thought to be of Pakistani or Yemeni descent. A policeman shouted to the people to return to their homes.

“This gathering is illegal,” he said.

One teenager lobbed four petrol bombs some 30 meters towards a group of police, who responded with a volley of sound grenades and tear gas. Shops were mostly locked up in the district, which was riddled with blocked roads and anti-government graffiti.

In addition, opposition actions have involved marches organized by opposition parties with government approval, as well as street protests called by activists online under the title “February 14 Youth Coalition” which usually result in clashes with police. One of the activists, holding a large rock and covering his face with a scarf, said the clashes were a result of police brutality against peaceful protests. He shared these words with an Ahram correspondent.

“Today we sat outside our homes as a peaceful method of protest. Then the repression by these Khalifa forces began. So we have to confront them. It was before our houses. They are the one who came in their cars.”

The government has said such clashes are acts of “hooliganism” by youth who put police and other Bahrainis’ lives in danger. The police say they must act to restore law and order. Jamal Fakro, deputy head of the appointed house of parliament, shared these words with Al-Jazeera concerning the protesters.

“People have come to the conclusion that the opposition only want to bring unrest to the country. They are not serious about any goals.”

Shias account for about 70 percent of Bahrain’s population of some 525,000 people but claim they have faced decades of discrimination, such as being denied access to senior political and security posts. The Sunni leaders have taken some steps on reform, including relinquishing more power to parliament. In an announcement early on Monday 13 February 2012, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa named a Shia, Sadok bin Abdulkarim al-Shehabi, as health minister. The health minister position is particularly important because Bahrain’s main hospital played a significant during the early weeks of the uprising with authorities claiming medical staff aided demonstrators. Dozens of doctors and nurses have been put on trial for their alleged participation.

The government has so far refused to make any far-reaching or long-term changes that the demonstrators, protesters, and main Shia group, Al Wefaq had demanded. Al Wefaq is the largest opposition party and their demands include ending the monarchy’s ability to select the government and set all-important state policies. Al Wefaq criticized authorities for imposing a “siege” on the villages of Manama ahead of the first anniversary of Bahrain’s “revolution.”

Al Wefaq released a statement on Sunday 12 February 2012 claiming that police stormed houses and fired tear gas indiscriminately in densely populated civilian areas. There were no reports of actual injuries. At least 40 individuals have lost their lives during the months of unprecedented political unrest in Bahrain. And until the majority of the population feels that its interests are adequately and appropriately served by the government and regardless of who is in power, the anniversary of the unrest is sure to elicit more harm than good for the people of Bahrain.

For more information, please see:

Ahram – Clashes in Bahrain, King Warns Against Disunity – 13 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Bahrain Tense Ahead of Planned Protests – 13 Februrary 2012

The Guardian – Kettling Would Work Well in Bahrain, Says Former Met Police Chief – 12 February 2012

MSNBC – Pitched Battles in Bahrain as Protest Anniversary Nears – 13 February 2012

NYT – Bahrain Youths and Police Clash – 13 February 2012

CNN – 2 American Women Arrested During Protest in Bahrain – 11 February 2012