AhlulBayt News Agency

source : alwefaq
Saturday

4 August 2012

7:30:00 PM
334507

AlWefaq: Bahrain Regime uses teargases to kill, not to disperse

Al Wefaq stressed “the regime uses toxic tear gas, as well as their canisters, to intentionally kill and harm citizens and not just to disperse protests. Regime forces are directly shooting tear gas canisters as live ammunition against pro-democracy protesters, causing tens of injuries and in some cases even deaths.”

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) -  Al Wefaq stressed “the regime uses toxic tear gas, as well as their canisters, to intentionally kill and harm citizens and not just to disperse protests. Regime forces are directly shooting tear gas canisters as live ammunition against pro-democracy protesters, causing tens of injuries and in some cases even deaths.”“Bahrain’s regime forces throw toxic tear gas into neighbourhoods, homes and crowded alleys in order to suffocate citizens. They use these gases like an insecticide, spraying them throughout households and manically flooding neighbourhoods. It is a blanket punishment to anyone for their opposition beliefs.” Al Wefaq stated.“The regime forces in Bahrain use tear gas in a reckless and irrational manner, with no sense of humanity or conscience. Although the regime forces do not generally use live ammunition against protests, their excessive use of tear gas creates the same effect and same level of danger.”Al Wefaq added “There are big question marks over the chemical ingredients being used and it could be that more lethal toxins are being used than in standard tear gas. Medical experts have stated that these gases raise nerves, cause nausea and a loss of consciousness. In many cases the effects of the gases can cause fatal suffocation, especially for the elderly, disabled or children.”On March 25th 2011 an elderly woman and a 31-year-old man died in their homes due to inhaling large quantities of tear gas that had flooded their homes.“Areas of pro-democracy protests are confronted by the excessive use of force by the police. Furthermore, the regime forces use the internationally prohibited shot guns and suffocating tear gas in order to cause as many injuries as possible.”Al Wefaq also stated that this behaviour of the regime forces and the weaponisation of tear gas and stun grenades are occurring on a daily basis. Such repetition of these actions proves it is on command from high-ranking officials.Al Wefaq added that a large number of elderly and children have been killed due to the inhalation of the lethal tear gas when regime forces deliberately fire at houses, cars and neighbourhoods. The regime is using collective punishment as a tactic against those neighbourhoods that witness protests and even sometimes use tear gas in areas without protest.Al Wefaq cited the case of Ali Al-Shaikh, a 15-year-old who was killed when a tear gas canister was fired at him from close range, proving the intention of murder. Another example is Ahmed Sahms who was also 15-years-old who suffered the same fate. Others have also been killed after being hit by tear gas canisters in the head and upper part of the body.Al Wefaq also mentioned the case of Ali Al-Mowali who remains in hospital with a fractured skull and other injuries after he was hit with a tear gas canister that had been aimed at the Secretary General of Al Wefaq and other opposition leaders. Al Wefaq stressed that the international community must take action against all crimes perpetrated by the regime forces in their attempt to repress the calls for democracy. Action must be taken especially by those countries that sell weapons to Bahrain that are being used against the people who are seeking democracy, who claim to defend human rights and democracy.