Affrontement à بني جمرة‎ Bani Jamra et المنامة Manama – 23 novembre 2011

Protests Flare Up In Bahrain Before Unrest Report

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MANAMA, Bahrain November 23, 2011,

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades at demonstrators Wednesday after clashes erupted just hours before the release of an independent report on Bahrain’s harsh crackdowns on the largest Arab Spring unrest in the Gulf.

The unrest outside the Bahraini capital Manama reflects the tense backdrop in the tiny island kingdom ahead of the highly anticipated report, which includes probes into alleged abuses by security forces after the country’s majority Shiites opened their most sustained uprising for greater rights.

The special investigation commission, which was green lighted by Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy in a bid to ease tensions, has spent months interviewing thousands of witnesses, officials and others about the chaotic and bloody months after protests began in February. Details of the report, which will focus on the period between Feb. 14 and March 30, have been a tightly held secret.

But conciliatory statements by the government in advance suggests authorities believe it could cast a harsh light on the tactics used against demonstrators and already noted in rights groups allegations: widespread arrests, purges from workplaces and universities, destruction of Shiite mosques and jail house abuses.

At least 35 people have been killed in violence related to the uprising, including several members of the security forces.

The latest street battles broke out after a 44-year-old man died when his car crashed into a house earlier in the day. Protesters say he swerved to avoid security vehicles. Bahrain’s government said it has opened an investigation. Read more…