AD says international community should act against Bahrain brutality

Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika’s (AD) spokesperson on EU and international affairs, said: “the violence is causing the death of innocent civilians, and members of the opposition have been arrested.

“International pressure must be applied on the Bahrain government to come up with speedy reforms in favour of democracy".

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio added that the isolation of the Salmaniya hospital by government troops is preventing the administration of medical aid to the many injured protesters.

On Tuesday, Saudi troops were called in to keep order following a declared state of emergency by King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa. The following day troops moved in at dawn backed by tanks and helicopters to clear the central Pearl Square, where protesters had been camped for several weeks.

Troops also surrounded the main Salmaniya hospital, preventing the arrival and departure of doctors and injured protesters, and there are reports that they still remain trapped.

“Such deprivation of medical aid goes against the basic tenets of civilised behaviour.

“It is unacceptable that Saudi Arabia forces have been called in to defend the dictatorial regime of Bahrain and in order to commit abuses on human rights,” Briguglio said.