Protests for constructive change. Following an armed assault on peaceful protesters in Bahrain, British Prime Minister David Cameron called King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to express deep concern as he called for restraint from all sides and highlighted the effectiveness of pursuing reform rather than repression, and dialogue rather than force. The British government meanwhile also advised its nationals to leave the country until it re-stabilizes.

With the armed assault on protesters resulting in at least five deaths, Bahraini forces went on to arrest five political leaders and human rights activists late Wednesday night, March 16, according to Agence France-Presse. On Thursday, Agence France-Press also reported that the military opened fire on protesters near the capital of Manama, as police blocked access to the villages where protesters had retreated following the brutal crackdown the previous day. According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, there are many reports of police and troops taking over hospitals and medical centers, with arbitrary arrests, killings and beatings of both protesters and medical staff.

Meanwhile, countries and leaders such as Iran, Syria, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Iraqi Parliament, and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Nabil el Arabi are all speaking out against the Bahraini government’s invitation to the Saudi military, which is now conducting operations against peaceful Bahraini protesters. Iran has also recalled the country’s ambassador to Bahrain.

In addition, thousands of demonstrators in countries like Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and the Saudi cities of Qatif and Sbehat, gathered on Thursday to protest the use of force by both the Bahraini government and Saudi troops. Others within Bahrain are similarly calling for the foreign military to leave their country, with political analyst Khalid El Shami stating in an interview with PressTV that such intervention is failing to control the protest movement but instead is making it more intensified. Meanwhile, Al-Jarida news has stated that Kuwait will not be sending troops to Bahrain, saying that the government looks forward instead to playing a mediating role in resolving tensions.

Around 200 people in Indiana, USA gathered in front of the state capitol building to protest a proposed anti-immigration bill that they say is discriminatory and ignores the many benefits that legalized foreign nationals can bring to society. Around 1,000 Tibetan monks and laypersons rallied after a young monk burned himself to death in Aba, China, calling for the nation’s freedom from Chinese control, as they also protested the suppression of previous protests in March 2008, which led to the deaths of over 200 people.

After their detainment for taking part in a lecture about the Tunisian and Egyptian protest movements, six people in Zimbabwe were released on bail pending trials for charges of treason, which carries the death sentence in the country.

Associated Press reported that 80 people were injured on Thursday in Taez, Yemen, four with gunshot wounds when thousands of peaceful protesters were attacked by government military and police with hand-held weapons and live ammunition, while eight were injured in the capital Sana’a overnight when they were attacked during a sit-in.

The UN refugee agency is meanwhile struggling to cope with many thousands of people fleeing violence in Libya, including hundreds of Somalis who prefer to remain in refugee camps rather than be sent back to the harsh conditions of their own homelands.

With at least three air strikes launched on the outskirts of Benghazi and near the airport on Thursday, government forces claim to be on the outskirts of the city. However, according to PressTV, the pro-democracy revolutionaries state that the regime’s forces are not even close. On Thursday evening, just hours after the regime had warned of an attack on the city of Benghazi, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a no-fly zone to protect the Libyan people. The resolution, co-sponsored by France, UK, Lebanon and the United States, also demands a cease-fire. As shown on Al-Jazeera satellite TV, the people in Benghazi burst into celebration after hearing of the vote. Under the terms of the no-fly zone, other countries will supply planes and personnel to help support a ban on all Libyan aircraft in the airspace across the country, in order to protect her citizens.

With deep sadness for the precious lives lost, we pray for an end to the conflict in all countries and for Heaven’s blessings that people everywhere may coexist in shared respect, dignity, freedom, and peace.

http://www.france24.com/en/20110316-clinton-tours-cairos-tahrir-unabashed-criticism-0
http://www.france24.com/en/20110316-british-pm-tells-bahrain-king-reform-not-repression
http://www.france24.com/en/20110316-britain-tells-nationals-leave-bahrain
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110316/wl_africa_afp/zimbabwepoliticsunrestjusticeegypt