TEHRAN(Basirat): Bahraini forces have clashed with people protesting against the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, a Formula One motor race, as the Manama regime continues its heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy rallies.
Bahraini troops fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse the
peaceful protesters in the town of Bilad al-Qadeem on Friday.
In response, the protesters targeted the regime forces with Molotov cocktails.
The
Bahrain Grand Prix has been held since 2004, with the exception of
2011, when the popular uprising began in the Persian Gulf country.
Human
rights activists slam Bahrain’s hosting of the Formula One as a failed
attempt to restore Manama’s international image tarnished by rights
violations. The activists’ voices, however, have been silenced to
protect the financial interests from Bahrain’s biggest sporting event
that is watched by a worldwide audience of millions.
Additionally
on Friday, Amnesty International’s branch in Bahrain called on fans of
the F1 motor race to demand that the Manama regime free prisoners of
conscience.
Since February 14, 2011, Bahraini people have been
holding peaceful protest rallies on an almost daily basis, demanding
that the Al Khalifah family relinquish power and let a just system
representing all Bahrainis be established.
Bahrainis have also been complaining against widespread discrimination against the Shia majority in the kingdom.
Manama has responded to the protests with lethal force, drawing international criticism.
Bahraini
authorities have further detained human rights campaigners, broken up
major opposition political parties and revoked the nationality of
several activists.
Source:ABNA