| Repression carried out by Bahraini government forces, backed by Saudi Arabian forces has continued across the country ever since foreign troops of the Gulf Cooperation Council invaded in mid-March and brutally suppressed the peoples mass uprising for political change which involved up to a fifth of population. Recent news agencies report that targets of attacks by the government and foreign forces includes mosques, youth and students, teachers and doctors. Opposition party al-Wefaq said recently that security forces have destroyed more than 30 holy sites, including 16 mosques, since the government's imposition of martial law last month, Press TV reports. Other reports say over 28 mosques and 50 mourning halls have been destroyed. The Bahraini regime has reportedly deployed a massive number of security forces in villages to terrorize protesters. On April 24, Saudi-backed Bahraini forces launched a second raid on an all-girls' secondary school in the town of Hamad in the north of the country. The school first came under attack a week ago. Eyewitnesses say the Saudi-backed forces took away several teachers. Several girls who refused to attend a festival in honour of the Al Khalifah royal family at the school were taken out to the playground and beaten in front of other students by the security personnel who had stormed the school, Press TV reports. Attacks on medical personnel attempting to treat injured protestors have also been reported, which if true are a violation of the Geneva Convention guaranteeing medical care to those wounded in conflict. It is reported that Bahraini police have arrested over 35 doctors, because they were treating the injured protesters. Their whereabouts are unknown. It is also reported that all hospitals have been surrounded by roadblocks to prevent the injured from entering. Rights groups say government forces have even raided hospitals and tortured doctors and patients as part of their efforts to suppress protests, Press TV reports. In related news, the Bahraini regime is seeking the death penalty against a group of anti-government protesters at a martial court, says an opposition activist. Seven protesters are accused of killing two security forces during the regime's crackdown on the popular uprising, former lawmaker Matar Matar told AFP on Tuesday. He added that the trial was being held in camera, and that lawyers were not given enough time to study the case. The verdict is expected on April 28. |