"A crackdown on Shia opposition activists and doctors continues in Bahrain, with six more people detained in the past few days," the London-based human rights group stated on Thursday.
"Amnesty International believes that they have been detained solely for their criticism of and involvement in the protests and that therefore they are prisoners of conscience," the statement added.
A “Day of Rage” has been called on Friday across the country by the February 14 Youth Movement. It is planning to break the recently passed three-month state of emergency, which bans public gatherings.
Earlier this week, the United Nations Human Rights Office criticized Bahrain for violating international law by targeting activists and medical staff.
Government spokeswoman Maysoon Sakba responded to Amnesty International by saying, “Bahrain condemns external interference in its domestic matters.” "Recent calls for reform by sections of the Bahraini people were hijacked by an extreme agenda, resulting in an escalation of more violent methods, leading to a fundamental breakdown in law and order," she added.
At least 24 people, mostly protesters, have been martyred since the start of the uprising, with the most recent victim dying on Thursday from gunshot wounds sustained the previous week.
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