DUBAI: Bahrain's top opposition group al-Wefaq condemned the government on Saturday after an elderly woman reportedly died from tear gas inhalation. The group said that violations by security forces against protesters has dramatically increased over the past few months. The report from the Shiite group said that a woman in her 70s “died because of the excessive use of tear gas by security forces in Al-Sahla” region, but did not provide any further details of the death. It said “violations have increased” since the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) released its November report into Shiite-led protests in the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom in February and March last year. “20 protesters have lost their lives since the commission began its work” late last June, an Al-Wefaq statement said. “Cases of arbitrary arrest have also increased as citizens are detained for 30 or 45 days without any charge,” it said, adding that “security members who run over people, steal or break the law are not held accountable.” The BICI head said in November that security forces had used “excessive force” and tortured detainees in its month-long crackdown on dissent. The report added that 35 people had died since February last year, including five from torture. Activists continue to press for change in the predominantly Shiite country, ruled by a Sunni King and backed by Saudi Arabia. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/ZWsZe Tags: Death, Protests, rights, Violence, Wefaq Section: Bahrain, Human Rights, Latest News
