HRW, SRW slam destabilizing violence in Bahrain

The Human Rights Watch and Shia Rights Watch International Organizations have condemned the brutal violence by the Bahraini regime forces against protesters in a northwestern village as a crackdown on freedom of expression.

The Human Rights Watch and Shia Rights Watch International Organizations have condemned the brutal violence by the Bahraini regime forces against protesters in a northwestern village as a crackdown on freedom of expression. 

“Yet again the architects of bloody destabilizing violence in Bahrain appear to be the Bahraini government, and the timing of this operation – two days after [Bahraini] King Hamad’s [bin Isa Al Khalifah] convivial meeting with [US] President [Donald] Trump – can hardly be a coincidence,” the Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Tuesday. 

Earlier in the day, Bahraini forces stormed into the residence of Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of the country’s Shia majority in the village of Diraz, arresting everyone inside the house. It is not yet clear whether Sheikh Qassim himself is among the detainees. 

There have been reports of security forces firing birdshots at protesters and teargas into the house of the prominent cleric. 

Sources have confirmed at least two fatalities. Seven others are said to be in critical condition.