Bahrain's Protest Fatalities: A Human Toll

Protests in Bahrain have been ongoing since 2011, with occasional demonstrations continuing to this day. The 2011 uprising was a series of anti-government protests led by the Shia-dominant and some Sunni minority Bahraini opposition. The protests escalated to daily clashes after the Bahraini government repressed the revolt with the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Peninsula Shield Force.

The number of deaths and injuries is hard to determine due to the government's clampdown on hospitals and medical personnel. As of 2012, the total number of deaths was reported to be 102, with the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry finding the government responsible for 20 of these. As of 2013, the number of deaths was reported to be 122.

The 2011 Bahraini uprising was a series of anti-government protests led by the Shia-dominant and some Sunni minority

The protests were sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, and initially aimed to achieve greater political freedom and equality for the 70% Shia population in Bahrain. The protests escalated to daily clashes after the Bahraini government repressed the revolt with the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Peninsula Shield Force.

On 14 February 2011, an estimated 6,000 people participated in demonstrations and political rallies throughout Bahrain, in what became known as the "Day of Rage". The protesters' demands varied and included constitutional reform, political reform, and socio-economic justice. The earliest demonstration was recorded at 05:30 in the mainly-Shia village of Nuwaidrat, where 300 people demanded the release of those detained during earlier protests. Police dispersed the rally, resulting in some injuries and the hospitalization of one demonstrator. Throughout the day, police continued to disperse rallies with tear gas, rubber bullets, and shotguns, resulting in additional injuries and the hospitalization of three more demonstrators.

One major demonstration took place on the Shi'a island of Sitra, where several thousand men, women, and children took to the streets. According to witnesses, hundreds of fully armed riot police arrived and immediately began firing tear gas, sound grenades, and rubber bullets into the crowds. Two protesters, Ali Mushaima and Fadhel Al-Matrook, were killed by police shotgun wounds to their backs at close range. Thousands of mourners participated in their funerals, and protesters set up camps at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, which became the centre of the protests.

On 17 February, in an event known as "Bloody Thursday", around 1,000 police were dispatched to clear the Pearl Roundabout of an estimated 1,500 individuals staying overnight in tents. The raid resulted in the destruction of the encampment and the deaths of three protesters by police shotgun fire. The government claimed that protesters attacked police officers with swords, daggers, and other weapons, but the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry found no evidence to support this claim.

Sporadic clashes broke out around the country following the raid, and the Bahrain Defence Force deployed tanks and armored personnel carriers in Manama. Military checkpoints were set up, and the army warned that they were ready to take punitive measures to restore order. Hospitals in Manama were filled with people injured during the police raid, and by the evening, thousands of demonstrators had congregated at the main hospital.

The uprising resulted in a crackdown on protesters by the Bahraini government, with the support of Saudi and Emirati forces. On 15 March 2011, the King of Bahrain declared a three-month state of emergency, and security forces launched a crackdown on protesters at the Pearl Roundabout and elsewhere. Hundreds of protesters were cleared from the Pearl Square, and five protesters were killed and dozens wounded during the crackdown.

The total number of deaths and injuries resulting from the 2011 Bahraini uprising is hard to determine due to government clampdowns on hospitals and medical personnel. As of 15 March 2013, the uprising and its aftermath resulted in 122 deaths. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry concluded that many detainees were subjected to torture and other forms of physical and psychological abuse while in custody, and five of them returned dead bodies. Opposition activists put the death toll at 88, including 43 who allegedly died as a result of excessive use of tear gas.

The uprising also resulted in a high number of arrests, with more than 2,929 people arrested as of April 2012. The police response was described as a "brutal" crackdown on "peaceful and unarmed" protesters, including doctors and bloggers. Midnight house raids in Shia neighbourhoods, beatings at checkpoints, and denial of medical care were among the tactics used by the police.

The protests were inspired by the 2011 Arab Spring and uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt

The 2011 Bahraini uprising was a series of anti-government protests in Bahrain, led by the Shia-dominant and some Sunni minority Bahraini opposition. Inspired by the 2011 Arab Spring and uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the protests in Bahrain began on February 14, 2011, with an "anti-government 'Day of Rage'" and were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and respect for human rights. The protests were not intended to directly threaten the monarchy.

The protests in Tunisia and Egypt inspired the Bahraini opposition to take to the streets and demand change. In Tunisia, the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, sparked mass protests against the government. Bouazizi's treatment by local officials and his self-immolation in protest catalysed demonstrations across the country, eventually forcing Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down and flee the country on January 14, 2011. This event, known as the Jasmine Revolution, inspired similar movements across the region.

In Egypt, protests began on January 25, 2011, with young Egyptians organising through social media platforms. These protests also escalated into a movement against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power for nearly 30 years. After several days of demonstrations and clashes, the Egyptian army announced it would not use force against the protesters, marking a turning point in the uprising. Mubarak was forced to step down on February 11, 2011, ceding power to a council of senior military officers.

The Bahraini protesters set up camp at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama's financial district, mirroring the actions of protesters in Egypt and Tunisia. However, the Bahraini government responded with a brutal crackdown, calling in a Saudi-led intervention force from neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council states. This force included about 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia and 500 police officers from the United Arab Emirates.

The Bahraini government's crackdown resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals between February and April 2011, with eight due to excessive use of force by security forces and five due to torture. Thousands were arrested, including protest leaders and opposition figures who remain imprisoned. The crackdown also included the demolition of the Pearl Roundabout monument, which had become a unifying symbol of the protests.

The Bahraini uprising and its brutal suppression are considered part of the broader Arab Spring movement, which saw a wave of anti-government protests and uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa beginning in 2010 and 2011. This movement challenged entrenched authoritarian regimes and sought to end corruption, improve citizens' quality of life, and achieve greater political freedom and respect for human rights. While some countries, like Tunisia and Egypt, saw the overthrow of their regimes and a transition to democracy, others, like Bahrain, experienced violent crackdowns and protracted struggles.

The Bahraini government responded with a brutal crackdown and called in a Saudi-led intervention force from neighbouring states

The Bahraini government responded with a brutal crackdown on the 2011 pro-democracy uprising, which was inspired by the Arab Spring and protests in Tunisia and Egypt. The Bahraini protests were a series of demonstrations and some violent resistance, with protesters calling for greater political freedom and equality for the 70% Shia population.

On 14 February 2011, known as Bloody Thursday, a deadly night raid on protesters at the Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama left at least five people dead and 230 injured. The following day, a further person was killed during clashes between security forces and mourners at a protester's funeral. On 17 February, security forces retook control of the Pearl Roundabout, killing four protesters and injuring over 300.

After a month of sustained protests, the Bahraini government requested military aid from its neighbours. On 14 March, 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia, 500 troops from the UAE, and naval ships from Kuwait entered Bahrain and crushed the uprising. The Bahraini government declared martial law and a three-month state of emergency. The Pearl Roundabout was cleared of protesters, and the iconic statue at its centre was demolished.

The police response was described as a "brutal" crackdown on "peaceful and unarmed" protesters, with midnight house raids, beatings at checkpoints, and denial of medical care. More than 2,929 people were arrested, and at least five people died due to torture in police custody. The Bahraini government's use of torture and other forms of physical and psychological abuse on detainees was confirmed by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

The crackdown extended beyond those directly involved in the protests, with the government targeting doctors, bloggers, academics, journalists, and teachers. The government also revoked the citizenship of hundreds of people and implemented media censorship, blocking websites and social media groups.

The Bahraini government's actions resulted in international condemnation, with human rights groups and Western governments expressing concern. The UK and the US, in particular, criticised the use of violence and the targeting of the Shia political opposition, and urged the Bahraini government to show restraint.

The Pearl Roundabout was a unifying symbol of the hopes of national renewal in February 2011

The Pearl Roundabout in Manama, Bahrain, was a site of great significance during the 2011 pro-democracy uprising. Inspired by similar movements in Tunisia and Egypt, the protests in Bahrain were driven by discontent with the state's authoritarianism, sectarianism in government, and refusal to address torture and arbitrary detention. On February 14, 2011, tens of thousands of citizens gathered at the Pearl Roundabout, setting up camp and igniting a movement that would come to embody the hopes of national renewal for the country.

The Pearl Roundabout was chosen as a strategic location for the protests due to its centrality in Manama. The roundabout was surrounded by significant landmarks such as the Bahrain Central Market, Marina, and the Pearl Towers apartment complex. It served as a major traffic intersection, making it an ideal gathering point for demonstrators. The location also held symbolic value, as it was named after the Pearl Monument that stood at its centre – a structure that symbolised the united heritage of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations and Bahrain's history of pearl cultivation.

As the protests escalated, the Pearl Roundabout became a unifying symbol of the people's aspirations for change and a better future. Demonstrators occupied the site, setting up tents and even installing a projector screen. The number of protesters grew, with thousands joining the movement and expressing their dissatisfaction with the government. The roundabout was a space where people from diverse backgrounds came together, united by their shared vision of national renewal and a more just society.

However, the Bahraini government responded to these protests with force, and on February 17, security forces clashed with demonstrators, resulting in injuries and the deaths of at least four civilians. The crackdown continued, with Bahrain Defence Force tanks occupying the Pearl Roundabout to prevent demonstrators from reclaiming the space. Despite these efforts, the protests persisted, and the Pearl Roundabout remained a pivotal site of resistance throughout the uprising.

The Bahraini government's attempts to suppress the protests extended beyond the use of force. On March 18, 2011, the Pearl Monument, which had become a symbol of the movement, was demolished by government forces. This act was justified as a way to erase bad memories and improve traffic flow. The demolition of the monument was a direct attack on the symbolic heart of the protests, representing the government's determination to quash not only the physical gathering but also the spirit of unity and hope that the Pearl Roundabout had come to embody.

The Pearl Roundabout holds a significant place in the memory of the 2011 uprising, even after its demolition. It stands as a reminder of the people's courage and their unwavering pursuit of national renewal in the face of adversity. The site has since been renamed Al Farooq Junction, but the legacy of the protests and the hopes they embodied continue to resonate with those seeking a more just and democratic Bahrain.

The Bahraini government's decision to establish an independent inquiry to investigate the unrest won praise from many western governments

The Bahraini government's decision to establish an independent inquiry to investigate the 2011 unrest won praise from many western governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. The inquiry, known as the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), was established by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on 29 June 2011 and tasked with investigating the incidents that occurred during the unrest in February and March 2011 and their consequences.

The BICI was chaired by Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, an internationally renowned expert who had previously led United Nations investigations into alleged war crimes. The commission also included other notable figures such as Sir Nigel S. Rodley, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, and Justice Philippe Kirsch, a former judge at the International Criminal Court.

The BICI's final report, released on 23 November 2011, confirmed the Bahraini government's use of systematic torture and other forms of physical and psychological abuse on detainees. It also documented 46 deaths, 559 allegations of torture, and more than 4,000 cases of employees dismissed for participating in protests. The report criticised the security forces for their excessive use of force and concluded that a lack of accountability had led to a "culture of impunity".

The establishment of the BICI was welcomed by western governments, who saw it as a positive step towards reconciliation, justice, and peace in Bahrain. US President Barack Obama, for example, praised the commission as an "essential role in advancing reconciliation, justice, and peace". Similarly, the UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, expressed hope that the establishment of the BICI would lead to "concrete progress in addressing the recent serious concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain".

However, despite the initial praise for the establishment of the BICI, many of the recommendations made in the report were not implemented by the Bahraini authorities. Human rights organisations have noted that the Bahraini government continues to ignore key recommendations, such as allowing human rights organisations into the country to observe and report on the situation. In addition, structural changes in Bahrain since 2011 have been criticised as making the situation worse, with opposition parties outlawed, the only independent news outlet shut down, and new laws further restricting political participation.

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