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May 12, 2011

Schoolgirls Allege Beatings, Threats by Bahrain Forces 
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In Bahrain, allegations have emerged of government forces attacking
young schoolgirls in the ongoing crackdown against opposition protests.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Bahraini girls described raids on their school
and threats of rape directed at girls as young as 12 years-old. A
16-year-old student said she and three classmates were taken from school
and severely beaten.

Student: "He hit and banged me against the wall to scream. Since we did
not scream, we were beaten more and more, stronger and stronger. Beating
was severe, but being afraid of what comes next, we were senseless to
the pain. He pulled a hose out and started beating us. He hit me on the
head, I started bleeding. I fell down, he told them [guards] to keep me
in the restroom."

The government of Bahrain has reportedly carried out at least 15 such
raids targeting children. Bahrain is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East,
hosting the Navy’s 5th Fleet.



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