Papers, Newsletters, Reports & StatementsPCID Condemns Use of Deadly Force Against Peaceful Protests in Libya and Bahrain

International media quotes witnesses as saying that “security forces and militiamen backed by helicopters and warplanes have been deployed in Tripoli.” News reports also indicate that Special Forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Qaddafi as well as mercenaries were seen “roving the streets in trucks, (shooting) freely as planes dropped what was described as ‘small bombs’ and helicopters fired on protesters.”

Reports also indicate that “troops and tanks locked down the capital of Bahrain after riot police swinging clubs and firing tear gas smashed into demonstrators, many of them sleeping, in an assault last week on Manama’s main Pearl Square.

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) denounces the use of violence against protesters demanding for reforms in Libya and Bahrain.

We call upon the governments of both nations to recognize and respect the right of all peoples to “freely determine their political status, their “right to freedom of opinion and expressions” as well as their right to “freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”

Further, we ask the leaders of both nations as well as other leaders facing political unrest from their citizens to immediately stop the use of force in dealing with the peaceful and legitimate dissent of their people.

Unwarranted and indiscriminate killings of the very people they claim to serve have the effect of stimulating more anger and unrest, and have not quelled the demonstrations.

We call upon the international community and the United Nations to increase pressure on the leaders of the two countries to prevent further loss of lives.