Bahrains king pardoning some protesters

موضوع: Bahrains king pardoning some protesters 2011-08-30, 3:15 am

Bahrain will dismiss charges against some people detained during
crackdowns against Shiite-led protests and allow compensation for
prisoners abused by security forces, the Gulf nation's king said Sunday
in a nationally-broadcast speech.

It came more than six months after his regime launched sweeping crackdowns against demonstrators seeking greater rights.

In the speech, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa offered no clear
concessions toward Bahrain's protesters, whose demands include easing
the dynasty's hold on power, setting policies and hand-picking
government officials.

Bahrain's Shiites make up about 70 percent of the island kingdom's
525,000 citizens, and complain that they face widespread discrimination,
such as being excluded from top political and security posts.

At least 32 people have been killed and hundreds arrested since protests began in February, inspired by other Arab uprisings.

"We would like to emphasise that we do not anticipate putting everyone
on trial. There are those who were charged with abusing us and senior
officials in Bahrain, and we today announce that we forgive them," said
the king in a message for the last part of the Islamic holy month of
Ramadan.

King Hamad also noted that Bahrain's Supreme Court will oversee
compensation payments for victims of abuses or for families of those
killed during unrest, including security forces.

"There are those who were arrested, and investigations proved that they
were the victims of individual behaviour and were ill-treated in
custody," the king said. "This is not tolerated by God and we do not
condone it."

"The last few months were painful for all of us, and even though we all
live in the same country, some have forgotten about the inevitability
of coexistence," the king said.

He noted, however, that protest-related trials will continue.

Earlier Sunday, a special security court resumed the trial of 20
doctors and nurses accused of links to anti-government protests. The
court adjourned until September 7, when it will begin hearing defence
witnesses. The doctors and nurses are among more than 45 medical
personnel facing charges from the protests.

Bahrain's use of the security court, which includes military and
civilian judges, has been strongly criticised by rights groups.

The king reiterated Bahrain's pledge to move all "civil cases" into
civilian courts. It's unclear how many will remain with the security
court, set up during months of martial law-style rule in the strategic
island nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

In July, Bahrain's leaders opened reconciliation talks, but the
country's main Shiite party walked out and has threatened to stage
further protests.

The U.S. and other western allies have urged for political dialogue in
Bahrain. Their appeals, however, have stopped short of putting serious
pressure on Bahrain's rulers, which might risk damaging one of the key
military partnerships in the Gulf.

An independent fact-finding panel is investigating alleged rights
abuses in Bahrain and is expected to release its findings on October 30.