Pressure builds in Bahrain as nightly Shi-ite riots are backed by Shi-ite parliament
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
ABU DHABI — Bahrain plans to enhance anti-riot tactics as Shi'ite unrest worsens.
Parliament, dominated by Shi'ite factions, has sought to pass legislation to regulate the production, use and storage of chemical substances, including those used in tear gas. The Interior Ministry has sought a waiver for Bahrain's security forces.
"Unless Al Qaida militants stage a suicide-bombing demonstration, then that's something else, and even then the use of chemical substances in this case is inhumane," parliamentarian Mohammed Al Mizal said.
"We don't want to use anything more lethal or stronger than what we use at the moment," Maj. Humoud Saad, the director of Bahrain's military courts, said.
On Feb. 12, the Interior Ministry official told parliament that the new means would not violate international conventions. In an angry session, Saad said anti-riot police would be equipped with rubber bullets. "I meant the use of rubber bullets as an alternative," Saad said.
The debate took place amid rising unrest in the Sunni-led kingdom. On Feb. 22, more than 2,000 people demonstrated for the release of at least 22 Shi'ites arrested during recent riots. Organizers said the detainees were not permitted to meet their families in advance of their trial, which began on Saturday.
"We want these men to be released by the authorities," Hassan Mushaima, a member of the Shi'ite-dominated Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy, said.
Officials said Bahraini police and security forces were being trained and equipped as part of an effort to quell the nearly nightly clashes with Shi'ite rioters. They said the security forces would be provided with sub-lethal munitions and trained in new anti-riot tactics.
Opposition deputies said the widespread use of tear gas by police has led to serious injuries or death. They said the gas has resulted in sustained health complications.
"He [Saad] says that they use natural substances, while he wants an article allowing police to use chemical substances to disperse rioters," Khalil Al Marzouq, the chairman of parliament's Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, said. "This article should be removed from the law, because it is unnecessary since the government says it doesn't use anything chemical, while this law specifically deals with chemical substances."