BAHRAIN: Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bahrain hold a peaceful march ahead of the third anniversary of the first pro-reform demonstrations in February 2011

Record ID: 214173

  • Title: BAHRAIN: Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bahrain hold a peaceful march ahead of the third anniversary of the first pro-reform demonstrations in February 2011
  • Date: 11th February 2014
  • Summary: BILAD AL QADEEM, BAHRAIN (FEBRUARY 11, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTEST MARCH BEHIND LARGE BANNER READING (English) "It's impossible for the Bahraini people to give up on democracy" VARIOUS OF MALE PROTESTERS MARCHING WITH BAHRAINI FLAGS AND BANNERS, CHANTING SLOGANS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT WOMEN PROTESTERS MARCHING DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL BLACK ABAYAS, HOLDING BAHRAINI FLAGS AND POSTERS AND CHANTING (English) "With our soul, with our blood, we will free you, Bahrain" WOMAN IN MARCH HOLDING SMALL POSTER WITH PHOTO OF A DETAINEE AND WRITING READING (English) "Silence kills democracy" VARIOUS OF WOMEN PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING PROTEST SEEN FROM BEHIND, WOMEN WITH BAHRAIN FLAGS MARCHING WEST ON MAIN HIGHWAY
  • Embargoed: 26th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bahrain
  • Country: Bahrain
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEBDXF3KZ3W4A1GA86IFDRIEMG
  • Story Text: Thousands of people held a protest march in Bahrain on Tuesday (February 11), saying the would not give up on democracy.
    The first pro-reform demonstrations in Bahrain were held on February 14, 2011, at the time stimulated by popular upheaval in Egypt and Tunisia.
    Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa family and the Shi'ite population - which makes up a majority - had long complained of discrimination.
    The organisers of the first protests said they sought a new constitution, to be drawn up a committee including both Sunnis and Shi'ites. They also wanted an elected prime minister, the release of "all political prisoners," and a probe of torture allegations.
    Thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to Bahrain's streets and occupied a central roundabout in Manama.
    When talks on political reforms stalled and some demands shifted to ousting the ruling Al Khalifa family, hardliners in the government brought in Saudi troops and imposed martial law.
    By the time martial law was lifted in June, 35 people had died.
    Mistrust between the Shi'ite Muslim majority and the ruling Sunni al-Khalifa family is still high three years later.
    Last month (January 2014) Bahrain's crown prince organised a meeting with the Shi'ite opposition. The appointment of a royal delegate and agreed topics for new talks have raised some hope of progress.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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