Wednesday, November 19, 2014

3 Years of Arab Spring


Many are aware of the revolutionary movements that swept through the Arab world in 2011also known as the Arab Spring. What many do not know is the state of Bahrain is still going through its Arab Spring after 3 years. There is daily protest across Bahrain where they are met with violent clashes with police. The government bans protests and any talk against the king is a crime dealt with prison. Security forces are known to fire tear gas, beat protestors and even shoot live fire ammunition into the crowds. Bahrain has a majority Shiite population while the royal family is Sunni as well as other elite government officials. 
 3 years after the start of the Arab Spring 89 people have been killed by security forces. Reform has not been introduced and tougher polices like prison sentences against protesters have been in placed. The government has made it a 1 to 7 year prison term to anyone who speaks against the king. On the 3rd anniversary of the Arab Spring opposition leaders have called for 3 days of protest to challenge the government. In addition opposition leaders for a statewide job strike at the end of work week. What makes matters worst for the people is that little from the international world realizes the struggles still going on. It has been forgotten and purposely ignored by western powers like the United States. The United States has turned a blind eye the human rights violations in Bahrain because the U.S. 5th Fleet is stationed there. The U.S. Navy needs the port as it provides a strategic position in the region to strike Iraq, monitor Iran , deter privacy and protect trade routes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/bahrain-uprising-anniversary_n_4787756.html

No comments:

Post a Comment