Bahrain protests: Trial opens for 47 doctors and nurses

[ponder]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13673299

6 June 2011 Last updated at 16:48 GMT
Bahrain protests: Trial opens for 47 doctors and nurses

Dozens of doctors and nurses who treated injured protesters in Bahrain have appeared in court charged with attempting to topple the monarchy.

The 47 medics appeared in a special military court in Manama.

They have been held since March, when Bahrain declared an emergency law, which was only lifted last week.

Bahrain's mainly Shia protesters have been calling for democratic reforms and more rights for the country's Shia majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

Hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained since March, when Bahrain's rulers called in military support from its Gulf Arab neighbours - mostly Saudi Arabia and the UAE - to suppress the protests.

More than 20 people were killed during the government's campaign to stifle the demonstrations. Two people have been sentenced to death for their part in the protests. Four have died in police custody.

Court restrictions

Only select journalists are allowed to cover the latest trials from inside the special security court, which has military and civilian judges.

In April, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) expressed concern about attacks on physicians, patients and unarmed civilians since protests began in February. It said dozens of medics have been arrested - some by masked men in the middle of the night.

The Bahraini authorities have denied targeting medics, saying some of Bahrain's main medical facilities "had been overrun by political and sectarian activity".

Since the lifting of the emergency law, small protests have been held in Shia villages, but they have been quickly dispersed by police using tear gas, rubber bullets, sound grenades and birdshot (small metal pellets), videos on YouTube appear to show.

Bahrain's ruler, King Hamad al-Khalifa, has announced that a national dialogue on reform will begin next month.

:wtf:

 

[killadoob]

No nato action? O wait bahrain is west friendly

 

[Shibal]

Yawn.
Oh that hatred for the evil white west.

Shiit-holes like Bahrain shouldn't get to host events like the F1.

 

[killadoob]

Yawn.
Oh that hatred for the evil white west.

Shiit-holes like Bahrain shouldn't get to host events like the F1.

Interesting that bahrain is mostly shiites but yet they are ruled by sunni's. I wonder how they get that right? Perhaps a democracy fail or something, i seriously think nato should go nail them or the US i mean we all know nato and US are all about democracy.

 

[Shibal]

Interesting that bahrain is mostly shiites but yet they are ruled by sunni's.

Which ones worse?

i seriously think nato should go nail them

Nope, don't waste the resources, just let the dirt bags wipe each other out.

 

[killadoob]

Not sure which ones are worse, i doubt either are good but i know sunni's are pro west so this keeps them out of trouble and gives them some freedom knowing they won't be attacked. Hmmm saddam was a sunni.

Nato and the US don't like the shiites much that is obvious. Although saddam was sunni but he was not very west friendly so i don't think it matters if you are sunni or a shiit as long as you are pro west you can slaughter as many innocents as you like .