Bahrain Mirror: Responding to the statements of the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Shia work as officers in Bahrain Defence Force (army) and Ministry of Interior.

Shiite citizens are prevented from assuming high posts. Human rights organizations say that Shiites do not exceed 1% in the army and royal court. Moreover, they are not well represented in the government.

Shia majority led the wide popular uprising that aimed at putting an end to Al Khalifa monopoly over power.

Since the crushing of 2011 protests, the ruling family increased persecution against Shia.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Tillerson's statements "reflect a deep misunderstanding of the facts". The ministry urged the United States Department of State to engage in direct consultations regarding religious freedoms in Bahrain.

Arabic Version