Bahrain lifts emergency law, military trials press on
\nMANAMA | Wed Jun 1, 2011 7:10pm EDT<\/p>\n
MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahrain lifted martial law on Wednesday in what the government hopes will be a sign to tourists and business of a return to normal, but the opposition fears repression will continue in the Gulf island kingdom.<\/p>\n
Bahrain is especially keen to get back the Formula One race. The March Grand Prix opener was canceled because of unrest that erupted in February when pro-democracy protesters, inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, clashed with police.<\/p>\n
A meeting of the sport’s governing body Friday could reinstate the race for later this year, but U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has said a heavy crackdown on opposition activists during 11 weeks of martial law should count in the decision.<\/p>\n
The dusty streets of the capital, Manama, were calm on Wednesday, but in outlying Shi’ite villages there was a heavy anti-riot police presence, according to online activists. Police were checking cars around the capital and villages.<\/p>\n
“With the end of the emergency situation, the security should not be here but they still are,” said Ali Zirazdi, a 30 year-old unemployed man, who said police had fired tear gas after a few hundred people gathered in the Shi’ite village of Diraz. ..more<\/a><\/p>\n