Bahrain Mirror: In response to the Bahraini security forces firing live ammunition at peaceful protesters in Diraz, Freedom House issued a statement calling on Bahrain to halt violence against protesters.

"Bahrain's security forces regularly use deadly force against protesters, as happened January 26 in Diraz," said Dokhi Fassihian, senior program manager for Middle East and North Africa programs said in the statement. 

"The government should hold its security forces accountable for its repeated excessive use of force", he further stressed.

On January 26, 2017, Bahraini security forces fired birdshot and live ammunition at protesters near the home of a prominent Shiite cleric in Diraz, who has recently been stripped of his citizenship. Several protesters were injured, including an 18-year old man who was shot in the head and is hospitalized in critical condition.

Freedom House had rated Bahrain as Not Free in Freedom in the World 2016, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016, and Not Free in Freedom on the Net 2016.

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