11 June 2011 - 19:30

More people have complained of human rights violations in Bahrain where the Saudi-backed government forces reportedly engage in torturing and humiliating opposition detainees.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Female Bahraini poet Ayat Ghermezi, who remains in custody of the regime's security forces, has been beaten across the face with an electric cable. Members of her family say the jailors have forced her to clean filthy lavatories with her bare hands.

The 20-year-old political activist was arrested on charges of inciting unrest and insulting the Al Khalifa royal family after she read to protesters one of her poems against the repression of people in Bahrain.

Human rights activists say Ghermezi, who earlier stood trial in a military court, has been severely tortured while in custody.

Thousands of anti-government protesters hit the streets across Bahrain in mid-February, demanding political reforms and a constitutional monarchy -- a demand that later changed into an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family, following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Scores of people have been killed and hundreds, including doctors and journalists, arrested in the Saudi-backed suppression of peaceful protesters in Bahrain.

The cruel crackdown on political activists and opposition protesters have continued by the Manama regime despite its June 1 announcement of ending emergency law that was originally imposed in March.

On Saturday, Bahraini protesters staged a rally for political reforms in the village of Sar, west of the capital Manama, despite the persisting suppression of protests and political activities.

Meanwhile, a newly-released footage has shown Saudi-backed troops attacking women and children in the northwestern town of Diraz, as well as opening fire on Bahraini youths during the confrontation.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the Manama regime for its brutal crackdown on civilians, but the international community has yet to take a practical action to protect.

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