During the past days, the Bahraini village Dar Kulaib has been under systematic daily attacks by security militias attacking the village before the eyes of security forces present on site. These militia attacks have been escalating, now reaching the use of “Molotov cocktails” and causing various injuries to residents even inside their homes, and damaging their houses and cars.

The acts of thuggery and repression by militias supported by security forces are considered an alarming escalation in an already critical security situation. They are considered flagrant provocations by the attackers, who have been recruited and charged to divert attention from the severe political crisis storming the country since 14 February 2011. There is a lack of serious steps by the Regime to implement popular demands to move from a security state to a civil democratic state believing in human rights according to what came in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the Government of Bahrain ratified its treaties, not to mention the guarantees mentioned in the Constitution and the National Action Charter.

Waad, while condemning and condoning the repeated attacks on Dar Kulaib and other areas, demands political leadership’s immediate intervention to rein the hysteria nurtured by some irresponsible sectarian speeches that have interest in burning the country and its people. The continuation of this repressive approach, and the failure of the Government to practice its responsibility in protecting citizens from thugs and sectarians, is a clear indication of the lack of seriousness in implementing the BICI recommendations with regards to rehabilitating security forces to defend human rights, as well as strengthening civil peace and national unity.

National Democratic Action Society, Waad

6 January 2012