Bahrainis vow to continue pro-democracy rallies

Dozens of demonstrators have taken to the streets in Bahrain to voice their strong determination to press ahead with the peaceful campaign for the establishment of democracy in the Persian Gulf country.

The protesters staged rallies in the northwestern village of Diraz, located about 12 kilometers (seven miles) southeast of the capital, Manama, after Friday prayers, vowing not to relinquish struggle for justice and democracy until their legitimate demands are met.

Since February 14, 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on an almost daily basis in Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

In March that year, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to the country to assist the Bahraini government in its crackdown on the peaceful protests.

Scores of people have been killed and hundreds of others injured or arrested in the crackdown.

Amnesty and many other international rights organizations have frequently censured the Bahraini regime over the rampant human rights abuses against opposition activists and anti-regime protesters.

The United States, which has its Fifth Navy Fleet deployed in the tiny island, and other Western government mainly turn a blind eye to the crackdown.