Hizbullah Condemns Bahrain’s U.S.-Like ‘Repressive’ Measures
Hizbullah condemned on Thursday what it called “repressive” acts against Shiite protestors in Bahrain that resemble the “terrorist measures” adopted by the U.S. at the Guantanamo detention camp and Iraq’s Abu Ghreib prison.
“Hizbullah reiterates its condemnation of the crimes committed by Bahraini authorities,” the Shiite party said in a statement. “It stresses its support for the Bahraini people and its legitimate demands.”
“The repressive acts that resemble the terrorist U.S. measures (adopted) in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib are condemned by all living forces and people of conscience,” it said.
Bahrain's special security court on Wednesday upheld sentences for 21 activists convicted for their roles in Shiite-led protests for greater rights, including eight prominent political figures given life terms on charges of trying to overthrow the Gulf kingdom's Sunni rulers.
On Thursday, the court sentenced a protester to death, and another to life in jail, after convicting them of killing a policeman.
The Hizbullah statement said that Bahrain’s “repressive” measures increased by arresting scores of women. “They have been insulted, and handcuffed … in an unprecedented violation of the Arab and Muslim woman’s rights.”
The Shiite party also condemned the measures against the political figures sentenced to life in prison, saying “their only sin is that they went out there to ask for their freedom rights and for better political and social conditions for the people.”
Bahrain's security forces — backed by a Gulf military force led by Saudi Arabia — have crushed large-scale demonstrations by the country's majority Shiites. But near daily clashes have broken out across the strategic island.
Shiites represent about 70 percent of Bahrain's population, but claim they face systematic discrimination and remain blocked from high-level military or political posts.
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