Reports of Peaceful Protestors Attacked in Bahrain

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First is gravely concerned at reports that peaceful protestors in several locations across Bahrain have been attacked today by security forces using teargas, buckshot and rubber bullets.   Today marked the official lifting of Bahrain’s State of Safety but the crackdown appears to be continuing. “We are hearing reports from Bahrain that protesters have been attacked by government forces. The wounded are staying away from hospitals fearing that they will be detained if they seek medical treatment. In another ominous development, human rights defenders are being summoned to report to police stations. The U.S. government must speak out against any attacks on peaceful demonstrations with at least the same urgency and level of concern that it has demonstrated elsewhere in the Middle East when pro-democracy protestors have been attacked,” said Brian Dooley of Human Rights First.