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Feb. 2: Over 100 people, mainly homosexuals, were arrested for holding a "depraved and decadent" party in a conservative village on Muharraq Island in northern Bahrain. As in the other five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, homosexuality is banned in Bahrain, and foreigners arrested in relation to this ban were deported after serving prison terms. [GN, 2/5]
Feb. 14: Residents of Shi'a villages across Manama gathered in what was called a "Day of Rage" to protest and demand political reforms and respect for human rights. The protests appeared to be inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Leading up to the protest, the Bahraini government offered cash pay-outs to some people in an effort to assuage discontent. [Al-Jazeera, 2/14]
Feb. 15: Wifaq, Bahrain's largest parliamentary bloc and the only opposition party in the lower chamber, announced the suspension of all of its activities in the lower chamber due to anti-government protests that resulted in two deaths. In response, Bahraini King Hamad bin 'Isa Al Khalifa ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the deaths. One person was allegedly killed by police during protests on February 14 and on February 15, another citizen was killed at a funeral procession when police and participants clashed. [GN, 2/15]
Protestors camped out in Manama to demand political change. The demonstrators from Bahrain's Shi'a majority claimed that the ruling Sunni minority shut them out of housing, healthcare, and government jobs. Protestors demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Shaykh Salman bin Hamid Al Khalifa. The government promised the release of political prisoners and changes in the constitution. [Reuters, 2/15]
Feb. 17: Security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse thousands of antigovernment protestors in Pearl Roundabout in Manama. At least three people died and hundreds were injured. Security forces began their efforts in the early morning as people slept. Hours after the raid, the army announced a ban on protests and gatherings, and stated that it had control of "key parts" of Manama. [BBC, Al-Jazeera, 2/17]
The GCC pledged full "economic, political, security, and defence support to Bahrain." The pledge was made during the 30th extraordinary session of the GCC Ministerial Council held in Manama. The GCC expressed belief in a collective responsibility for...