Bahrain protesters in Britain ‘terrified for families’
As the Bahrain protests leave five dead and hundreds injured, campaigners in Britain tell Channel 4 News they’re terrified for relatives in Manama.
(Warning: this video contains images you may find distressing)
It is thousands of miles away from Bahrain’s Pearl Square but London’s Belgrave Square will be the focal point for British Bahrainis over the coming days.
A handful gathered outside the Bahrain Embassy on Thursday. They were asked to move on by the police because they had not obtained official permission.
The six men and one women agreed to leave but have vowed to return, on Saturday, with full permission.
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One of the demonstrators, Maryam (not her real name), told Channel 4 News about her fears for relatives in Pearl Square: “I’m terrified, my family have requested I don’t get involved for fear of reprisals..I’m greatly afraid for my family.
“I was woken this morning by my mother frantically asking me to take down all the posts my sister had put on Twitter and Facebook talking about the demonstrations in Bahrain because they are afraid of what might happen to them.”
Peaceful protest
All the demonstrators in Belgrave Square were young and politically engaged.
Some were clutching photos of those injured and killed during Wednesday night’s deadly protests.
They claim the protests in Manama, the country’s capital, were entirely peaceful.
I don’t think anyone can carry on ruling the country having done what they did last night. Ahmed Shehabi, British Bahraini
Maryam told Channel 4 News: “I spoke to family members who were there and who were talking of how the atmosphere was jubilant, it was a very happy atmosphere..nobody anticipated this crackdown by security forces.
“I think it was around 3 in the morning the riot police surrounded them and attacked without warning. There was no way out for them and people have been maimed and killed.”
The British Government
Downing Street said there was deep concern over the violence and urged the authorities in Bahrain to show “restraint”.
No Britons are thought to have been caught up in the violence but the Foreign Office is urging British nationals to stay away from the protests.
“Clearly, we are deeply concerned by the events in Bahrain and by the level of violence,” David Cameron’s spokesman said. “We would urge all sides to avoid violence and urge the police to exercise restraint.”
The demonstrators welcomed the Government’s response but called for the Prime Minister to go further.
Ahmed Shehabi, one of the protesters in Belgrave Square, told Channel 4 News David Cameron had to put his political allegiances to one side: “What has happened over the past 24 hours is atrocious. It’s totally unacceptable.
“I can’t ever imagine such a thing would happen in the UK..it’s just a disaster.
“I don’t think anyone can carry on ruling the country having done what they did last night.”
The Pentagon called Bahrain an important partner on Thursday but also urged restraint.
“As a long-time ally and home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is an important partner and the department is closely watching developments there,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said.
“We also call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from violence.”