Bahrain: Authorities Must Immediately Stop Violence

Bahrain: Authorities Must Immediately Stop Violent Repression and Open
Dialogue

Brussels 17 February 2011 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has demanded that the
Bahraini authorities immediately cease their violent repression of
peaceful demonstrations, and start talks with the trade union movement
and other civil society groups on the concrete demands which they and
the demonstrators have expressed. Hundreds of police swept through the
Pearl Roundabout in Manama in pre-dawn raids, killing at least two
further protestors and injuring some 70 more. Security forces blocked
access to the Roundabout, stopping the evacuation of the dead and
injured, and a temporary clinic there was also attacked and medical
staff injured. Reports reaching the ITUC indicate continued and
escalating violence against demonstrators, with fears of further
killings and injuries. An unknown number of demonstrators have also
been detained, as protests continue.

An emergency meeting of the ITUC-affiliated General Federation of
Bahraini Trade Unions is to take place this afternoon to assess the
situation and decide on further action.

"We are very deeply concerned at the authorities' use of deadly force
against peaceful and legitimate protest. The government must stop the
harassment, detention and violence against protestors, and refrain from
any further action against trade unionists or other civil society
representatives. Those in power must recognise that the only acceptable
solution to the crisis is to open a serious dialogue with the trade
unions and other groups to listen to their legitimate grievances and
sort out the underlying problems which have given rise to such
widespread and growing discontent. No other course of action is
acceptable. We stand in absolute solidarity with our Bahrain trade
union colleagues, and will intensify international pressure to stop this brutal repression," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

ENDS

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